Major Events of August 1985: Key Historical Moments from the Month
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Major Events of August 1985: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from August 1985 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of August 1985: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 1985 Cheyenne, Wyoming, experiences devastating flash flood and hailstorm: On August 1, 1985, Cheyenne, Wyoming, was struck by a severe thunderstorm that led to a flash flood and hailstorm. The storm dumped over 6 inches of rain in approximately three hours, setting a new 24-hour rainfall record for Wyoming. Hailstones up to 2 inches in diameter accumulated in some areas, creating drifts up to 1 foot deep. The flooding resulted in 12 fatalities, 70 injuries, and damages exceeding $61 million, with most deaths occurring along Dry Creek as vehicles were swept away while attempting to cross flooded streets. source: weather.gov
  • 02 Aug 1985 Delta Air Lines Flight 191 crashes at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport: On August 2, 1985, Delta Air Lines Flight 191, a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, crashed while on approach to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The aircraft encountered a microburst-induced wind shear, leading to a loss of control and impact with the ground approximately 6,000 feet short of the runway. The crash resulted in 137 fatalities, including 136 occupants and one person on the ground. source: weather.gov
  • 03 Aug 1985 Deadly train collision in Flaujac, France: On August 3, 1985, a head-on collision occurred between two trains near Flaujac, France, resulting in 35 fatalities and 91 injuries. The accident was caused by a communication error between stationmasters at Assier and Gramat, leading to the authorization of a local train's departure onto a single-track section without accounting for an oncoming express train. This tragedy highlighted the critical need for improved communication and signaling systems on single-track lines. source: fr.wikipedia.org
  • 04 Aug 1985 Rod Carew reaches 3,000 career hits; Tom Seaver wins 300th game: On August 4, 1985, Rod Carew of the California Angels became the 16th player in Major League Baseball history to reach 3,000 career hits, achieving the milestone with a single off Frank Viola of the Minnesota Twins. On the same day, Tom Seaver of the Chicago White Sox secured his 300th career win by defeating the New York Yankees 4-1 at Yankee Stadium. source: mlb.com
  • 05 Aug 1985 Establishment of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced: On August 5, 1985, the establishment of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was announced. The first group of inductees, inducted on January 23, 1986, included Elvis Presley, James Brown, Little Richard, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, and Jerry Lee Lewis. source: sunny1079.com
  • 06 Aug 1985 NASA Space Shuttle Mission 51-F lands successfully: NASA's Space Shuttle Mission 51-F, which launched on July 29, 1985, successfully landed on August 6, 1985. The mission included significant scientific experiments and was notable for its contributions to space research. The shuttle orbiter Challenger completed the mission, marking another successful operation in NASA's shuttle program. source: nasa.gov
  • 07 Aug 1985 Japan selects first astronauts: Doi, Mohri, and Mukai: On August 7, 1985, Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) selected Takao Doi, Mamoru Mohri, and Chiaki Mukai as the nation's first astronauts. This marked a significant milestone in Japan's space exploration efforts, paving the way for future participation in international space missions. source: islandnet.com
  • 08 Aug 1985 Japan selects first national astronauts for space program: On August 8, 1985, Japan announced the selection of its first national astronauts, marking a significant milestone in its space exploration efforts. The selected astronauts were part of a broader initiative to enhance Japan's capabilities in space science and technology, contributing to international space missions. This selection paved the way for Japan's active participation in future space endeavors, including collaborations with NASA and other space agencies. source: britannica.com
  • 09 Aug 1985 Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" tops R&B charts: On August 9, 1985, Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love" reached number one on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, marking her twentieth number-one hit on the chart. The song also peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned Franklin her 12th Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. source: billboard.com
  • 10 Aug 1985 Michael Jackson acquires Beatles music catalog: On August 10, 1985, Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music Publishing for $47.5 million, gaining control over 251 Beatles songs, including classics like "Yesterday" and "Let It Be." This acquisition marked a significant moment in music history, highlighting the value of music publishing rights. The deal also strained Jackson's friendship with Paul McCartney, who had previously advised him on the importance of owning music catalogs. source: biography.com
  • 11 Aug 1985 Space Shuttle Challenger returns to Kennedy Space Center after STS-51-F mission: On August 11, 1985, the Space Shuttle Challenger was transported back to Kennedy Space Center, Florida, after completing its STS-51-F mission. The shuttle had landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on August 6, 1985, and was subsequently flown back to Florida for refurbishment and preparation for future missions. source: nasa.gov
  • 12 Aug 1985 Japan Airlines Flight 123 disaster occurred on August 12, 1985: Japan Airlines Flight 123, a domestic flight from Tokyo to Osaka, crashed into Mount Takamagahara on August 12, 1985, after suffering a catastrophic failure due to improper repairs. It remains the deadliest single-aircraft accident in aviation history, resulting in 520 fatalities. The incident raised significant concerns about aircraft maintenance and safety regulations in Japan. source: britannica.com
  • 14 Aug 1985 Michael Jackson acquires Beatles music catalog: On August 14, 1985, Michael Jackson purchased the rights to the Beatles' music catalog for approximately $47 million. This acquisition included the rights to over 250 songs, significantly impacting the music industry and Jackson's financial portfolio. The deal was notable for its scale and the controversy it generated among music artists and industry professionals. source: bbc.com
  • 15 Aug 1985 P.W. Botha delivers Rubicon speech in 1985: On August 15, 1985, P.W. Botha, then Prime Minister of South Africa, delivered his famous Rubicon speech. In this address, he announced significant reforms but stopped short of dismantling apartheid, which led to widespread disappointment and protests. The speech is often seen as a pivotal moment in South African history, marking a turning point in the struggle against apartheid. source: bbc.com
  • 16 Aug 1985 Madonna marries Sean Penn in a lavish ceremony: Madonna and Sean Penn were married on August 16, 1985, in a high-profile ceremony in Malibu, California. The marriage was marked by significant media attention, reflecting both their celebrity status. However, the couple's relationship was tumultuous, leading to their divorce in 1989. source: rollingstone.com
  • 17 Aug 1985 Rajiv Gandhi announces Punjab state elections: On August 17, 1985, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi announced that elections would be held in Punjab state on September 25, 1985. This decision followed the signing of the Rajiv-Longowal Accord on July 24, 1985, which aimed to address Sikh demands and end the agitation in the region. Despite concerns over security due to ongoing violence, the government proceeded with the election plan. source: upi.com
  • 18 Aug 1985 Japan launches Suisei probe to study Halley's Comet: On August 18, 1985, Japan launched the Suisei probe, designed to study Halley's Comet. This mission was part of a broader international effort to gather data on the comet as it approached the inner solar system. Suisei successfully collected valuable information about the comet's composition and behavior during its flyby in 1986. source: britannica.com
  • 20 Aug 1985 Israel facilitates U.S. arms transfer to Iran: On August 20, 1985, Israel, through intermediaries including arms dealer Yaakov Nimrodi and financier Adnan Khashoggi, transferred 96 U.S.-made TOW anti-tank missiles to Iran via chartered aircraft. This operation was part of a covert effort to secure the release of American hostages held in Lebanon. The initial shipment did not result in the release of any hostages, although further shipments were made in subsequent months. source: cia.gov
  • 21 Aug 1985 Northern Peru earthquake occurred on August 21, 1985: On August 21, 1985, a powerful earthquake struck northern Peru, registering a magnitude of 6.9. The quake caused significant destruction, particularly in the city of Chimbote, leading to numerous casualties and extensive damage to infrastructure. This event highlighted the seismic risks in the region and prompted discussions on building safety and disaster preparedness. source: usgs.gov
  • 22 Aug 1985 Manchester Airport British Airtours Flight 28M Disaster: On August 22, 1985, British Airtours Flight 28M, a Boeing 737-236, suffered an uncontained engine failure during takeoff at Manchester Airport, leading to a catastrophic fire. The crew aborted the takeoff, but the fire rapidly engulfed the aircraft, resulting in 55 fatalities, primarily due to smoke inhalation. This tragedy prompted significant changes in aviation safety standards, including improved evacuation procedures and fire-resistant materials. source: faa.gov
  • 23 Aug 1985 1985 Wuqia earthquake in Xinjiang, China: On August 23, 1985, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck near the border of Wuqia County and Shufu County in Xinjiang, China. The earthquake resulted in 71 deaths, 162 injuries, and left 15,000 people homeless. Approximately 85% of buildings and highways were destroyed. The epicenter was located along the Kazkeaerte Fault, and the tremor was felt throughout much of the Fergana Basin in the USSR and parts of Pakistan. source: en.wikipedia.org
  • 24 Aug 1985 STS-51-I mission scrubbed at T-5 minutes due to bad weather: On August 24, 1985, the launch of NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery for the STS-51-I mission was scrubbed at T-5 minutes due to thunderstorms in the vicinity of the launch pad. The mission was successfully launched on August 27, 1985. source: nasa.gov
  • 25 Aug 1985 Space Shuttle Discovery's August 25, 1985, launch delayed due to computer failure: On August 25, 1985, the launch of Space Shuttle Discovery was postponed when a guidance computer failed 25 minutes before liftoff. This marked the fifth computer failure in the shuttle program and the second in the final minutes of a countdown. The mission was rescheduled for August 27, 1985. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 26 Aug 1985 French government denies involvement in Rainbow Warrior assault: On August 26, 1985, the French government officially denied any involvement in the bombing of the Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow Warrior, in Auckland, New Zealand. The attack, which resulted in the death of a photographer and injuries to others, was later attributed to French intelligence operatives. This incident sparked international outrage and led to significant diplomatic tensions between France and New Zealand. source: theguardian.com
  • 27 Aug 1985 Nigerian military coup ousts President Buhari, General Babangida assumes power: On August 27, 1985, Major-General Ibrahim Babangida led a military coup that deposed President Muhammadu Buhari. Babangida criticized Buhari's regime for being 'rigid and uncompromising,' citing economic mismanagement and incompetence. Following the coup, Babangida became the new Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. source: washingtonpost.com
  • 29 Aug 1985 Space Shuttle Atlantis prepares for 51-J mission: On August 29, 1985, Space Shuttle Atlantis was moved to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in preparation for its first flight, designated STS-51J. This mission, launched on October 3, 1985, was the 21st NASA Space Shuttle mission and the first flight of Atlantis. The crew included Commander Karol J. Bobko, Pilot Ronald J. Grabe, Mission Specialists Robert L. Stewart and David C. Hilmers, and Payload Specialist William A. Pailes. The mission lasted four days, deploying two Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS-III) satellites into orbit. source: nasa.gov
  • 31 Aug 1985 Richard Ramirez, the 'Night Stalker', captured in East Los Angeles: On August 31, 1985, Richard Ramirez, known as the 'Night Stalker', was apprehended in East Los Angeles after being recognized from media coverage. Residents detained him until police arrived, preventing a potential lynching. Ramirez was later identified through fingerprints found on a stolen car, linking him to a series of murders and assaults across California. source: history.com