Major Events of June 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 June 1985 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

01 Jun 1985 Battle of the Beanfield: police clash with travelers in England: The Battle of the Beanfield occurred on June 1, 1985, when police clashed with a convoy of travelers attempting to reach the Stonehenge Free Festival. The confrontation resulted in significant violence, with over 500 police officers deployed and numerous injuries reported. This event highlighted tensions between law enforcement and the traveling community in the UK during the 1980s. source: bbc.com
02 Jun 1985 Leonard Lake arrested in South San Francisco: On June 2, 1985, Leonard Lake was arrested in South San Francisco for shoplifting a vise from a hardware store. During the arrest, police discovered a firearm with an illegal silencer in his vehicle. Lake was later identified as a suspect in a series of murders and suicided in custody four days later. source: latimes.com
03 Jun 1985 Massive anti-ETA demonstrations in Basque cities: On June 3, 1985, tens of thousands marched in Bilbao and Pamplona to protest ETA's recent terrorist attacks, including the killing of a 14-year-old schoolboy. The demonstrations were organized by the Basque autonomous government, marking a significant public repudiation of ETA's violence. source: upi.com
04 Jun 1985 Supreme Court rules on Alabama's moment of silence law: On June 4, 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Wallace v. Jaffree that Alabama's law authorizing a daily moment of silence for "meditation or voluntary prayer" in public schools violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause. The Court found that the law's purpose was to promote prayer, thus endorsing religion in public schools. However, the Court also indicated that a moment of silence without such a religious purpose could be constitutional. source: washingtonpost.com
05 Jun 1985 Steve Cauthen wins the Epsom Derby: On June 5, 1985, American jockey Steve Cauthen won the Epsom Derby aboard Slip Anchor, becoming the first American to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Epsom Derby. Cauthen led from start to finish, securing a seven-length victory over Law Society. source: en.wikipedia.org
06 Jun 1985 Josef Mengele's remains exhumed in Brazil: On June 6, 1985, Brazilian authorities exhumed a body from a cemetery in Embu, near São Paulo, believed to be that of Nazi war criminal Josef Mengele. Forensic examinations, including dental analysis, indicated a high probability that the remains were indeed Mengele's. His son, Rolf Mengele, confirmed the identity on June 10, 1985, stating that the news of his father's death had been concealed to protect those who had sheltered him. source: washingtonpost.com
07 Jun 1985 Freddie Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" reaches number one on R&B charts: On June 7, 1985, Freddie Jackson's debut single, "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)", topped the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, marking his first of ten number-one hits on the R&B chart. The song also peaked at number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. source: en.wikipedia.org
08 Jun 1985 Chris Evert defeats Martina Navratilova in 1985 French Open Women's Final: On June 8, 1985, Chris Evert defeated Martina Navratilova 6-3, 6-7^(4–7), 7-5 in the French Open Women's Singles Final. This victory marked Evert's sixth French Open title and 17th Grand Slam singles title overall. The match is considered one of the finest in the Evert-Navratilova rivalry and in French Open history. source: latimes.com
09 Jun 1985 Thomas Sutherland kidnapped in Lebanon: On June 9, 1985, Thomas Sutherland, the dean of agriculture at the American University of Beirut, was abducted by gunmen near his Beirut home. The Islamic Jihad Organization claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. Sutherland was released on November 18, 1991, after being held hostage for over six years. source: en.wikipedia.org
10 Jun 1985 French agents sink Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior: On June 10, 1985, the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland Harbour, New Zealand, by French intelligence agents. The attack was aimed at preventing Greenpeace from interfering with French nuclear testing in the Pacific. The bombing resulted in the death of photographer Fernando Pereira and significant international backlash against France. source: bbc.com
11 Jun 1985 Soviet Vega 1 probe lands on Venus: On June 11, 1985, the Soviet Vega 1 spacecraft successfully landed on Venus, deploying a lander and an atmospheric balloon to study the planet's surface and atmosphere. The lander transmitted data for 56 minutes before succumbing to Venus's harsh conditions. The atmospheric balloon operated for approximately 48 hours, providing valuable insights into Venus's cloud layers and weather patterns. source: en.wikipedia.org
12 Jun 1985 Death of Hua Luogeng, prominent Chinese mathematician: Hua Luogeng, a renowned Chinese mathematician and politician, passed away on June 12, 1985, in Tokyo, Japan, at the age of 74. He died of a heart attack during a lecture at the University of Tokyo. Hua made significant contributions to number theory and played a pivotal role in advancing mathematics research and education in China. source: en.wikipedia.org
13 Jun 1985 Schengen Agreement signed to facilitate borderless travel in Europe: The Schengen Agreement was signed on June 13, 1985, near the village of Schengen in Luxembourg. This agreement aimed to abolish internal border controls between participating countries, allowing for free movement of people. It laid the groundwork for the Schengen Area, which has since expanded to include many European nations. source: ec.europa.eu
14 Jun 1985 TWA Flight 847 hijacked by terrorists: On June 14, 1985, TWA Flight 847, en route from Cairo to San Diego with stops in Athens, Rome, Boston, and Los Angeles, was hijacked shortly after takeoff from Athens. The hijackers, members of Hezbollah, held 153 passengers and crew hostage for 17 days, demanding the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. During the ordeal, U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem was killed. The last hostages were released on June 30, 1985. source: fbi.gov
15 Jun 1985 Studio Ghibli founded on June 15, 1985: Studio Ghibli, the renowned Japanese animation studio, was founded by Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata on June 15, 1985. The studio is celebrated for its critically acclaimed films, including 'Spirited Away' and 'My Neighbor Totoro.' Over the years, Studio Ghibli has become a significant influence in the animation industry worldwide. source: britannica.com
16 Jun 1985 Andy North wins 1985 U.S. Open Golf Championship: Andy North secured his second U.S. Open title on June 16, 1985, at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He finished at 279 (−1), one stroke ahead of runners-up Dave Barr, Chen Tze-chung, and Denis Watson. North's victory was notable for his resilience, as he overcame a two-stroke deficit entering the final round to clinch the championship. source: en.wikipedia.org
17 Jun 1985 Sultan bin Salman Al Saud becomes first Arab and Muslim in space: On June 17, 1985, Saudi Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud became the first Arab and Muslim to travel into space aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Discovery. As a payload specialist, he spent seven days in orbit, deploying satellites and conducting scientific experiments. His mission marked a significant milestone in international cooperation and inspired future generations in the Arab world to pursue careers in space exploration. source: arabnews.jp
18 Jun 1985 Weird Al Yankovic releases 'Dare to Be Stupid': On June 18, 1985, "Weird Al" Yankovic released his third studio album, 'Dare to Be Stupid'. The album features parodies of popular 1980s music, including Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' and Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'. It also includes original songs like the title track, which is a style parody of Devo. The album was produced by Rick Derringer and recorded between August 1984 and March 1985. source: en.wikipedia.org
19 Jun 1985 1985 Zona Rosa attack in San Salvador: On June 19, 1985, during the Salvadoran Civil War, gunmen disguised as Salvadoran soldiers attacked the Zona Rosa restaurant area in San Salvador. The assault resulted in the deaths of twelve people, including four U.S. Marines, two U.S. businessmen, a Guatemalan, a Chilean, and four Salvadorans. The Revolutionary Party of Central American Workers (PRTC) and its armed wing, the Mardoqueo Cruz Urban Commando, claimed responsibility for the attack. source: oig.justice.gov
20 Jun 1985 1985 Nepal bombings: On June 20, 1985, a series of coordinated bombings occurred in Kathmandu and other cities across Nepal, marking the first such attacks in the country. At least eight people were killed, including a Member of Parliament, and several others were injured. The Nepal Janabadi Morcha, an exiled political group, claimed responsibility for the bombings. In response, the government conducted mass arrests, with some 1,400 people detained, and enacted the Destructive Crimes (Special Control and Punishment) Act. The bombings also led to the cancellation of a civil disobedience campaign by the Nepali Congress Party. source: washingtonpost.com
21 Jun 1985 Forensic experts confirm remains as Josef Mengele's: On June 21, 1985, forensic experts announced with high certainty that the remains exhumed from a cemetery near São Paulo, Brazil, were those of Josef Mengele, the notorious Nazi doctor known as the "Angel of Death." The identification was based on dental records and skeletal analysis, with DNA testing later confirming the identity in 1992. source: washingtonpost.com
22 Jun 1985 Grind musical closes on Broadway after 71 performances: The musical 'Grind' closed on June 22, 1985, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City after 71 performances and 25 previews. Directed by Hal Prince, the production faced mixed reviews and financial losses, failing to recoup its $4.75 million investment. source: en.wikipedia.org
23 Jun 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing over the Atlantic Ocean: On June 23, 1985, Air India Flight 182, a Boeing 747-237B named Emperor Kanishka, was destroyed by a bomb planted by Sikh extremists from the Babbar Khalsa. The aircraft was en route from Montreal to London, with a final destination of Mumbai, India. The explosion occurred over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the deaths of all 329 people on board, including 268 Canadians, 27 British citizens, and 22 Indian citizens. This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in Canadian history and was the world's deadliest act of aviation terrorism until the September 11 attacks in 2001. source: britannica.com
24 Jun 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing incident: On June 24, 1985, Air India Flight 182 was bombed in mid-air, resulting in the deaths of all 329 people on board. The bombing, attributed to Sikh extremists, was one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in aviation history. The incident highlighted issues of terrorism and security in aviation, leading to significant changes in international air travel regulations. source: bbc.com
25 Jun 1985 Police thwart suspected IRA bombing campaign targeting UK resorts: In June 1985, British police uncovered a suspected IRA plot to bomb 12 seaside resorts across the UK during the summer season. Thirteen individuals were arrested in connection with the scheme, including Patrick Magee, who had previously been convicted for the 1984 Brighton hotel bombing. The police operation successfully prevented potential attacks that could have caused significant harm to civilians. source: news.bbc.co.uk
26 Jun 1985 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking established: The UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed annually on June 26. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 to raise awareness about the global drug problem and promote efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking. The day serves as a platform for governments and organizations to highlight the importance of drug prevention and treatment. source: un.org
27 Jun 1985 Route 66 decommissioned by AASHTO: On June 27, 1985, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) officially removed Route 66 from the U.S. Highway System, marking the end of the iconic 2,448-mile route that connected Chicago to Santa Monica. This decision followed the completion of the Interstate Highway System, which had gradually replaced Route 66 over the preceding decades. source: fhwa.dot.gov
28 Jun 1985 Phil Bardsley: English footballer born on June 28, 1985: Phil Bardsley is a professional English footballer born on June 28, 1985, in Salford, England. He has played for various clubs in the Premier League and is known for his time at clubs like Manchester United and Sunderland. Bardsley has also represented the Scotland national team. source: bbc.com
30 Jun 1985 TWA Flight 847 hostage crisis ends: On June 30, 1985, the 17-day hostage crisis involving TWA Flight 847 concluded when the remaining 39 hostages were released in Beirut, Lebanon. The hijackers, members of Hezbollah, had seized the flight on June 14, demanding the release of Lebanese prisoners held by Israel. The ordeal resulted in the death of U.S. Navy diver Robert Stethem and the release of 735 Lebanese Shiite militants by Israel in the following weeks. source: washingtonpost.com