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

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

01 Nov 1985 Dizzee Rascal was born on November 1, 1985: Dizzee Rascal, the British rapper and music producer, was born on November 1, 1985, in London, England. He gained fame in the early 2000s with his debut album 'Boy in da Corner,' which won the Mercury Prize. His unique style blends grime, hip hop, and electronic music, making him a significant figure in the UK music scene. source: britannica.com
03 Nov 1985 Radical Civic Union wins Argentine legislative elections: On November 3, 1985, Argentina held legislative elections in which the ruling Radical Civic Union (UCR) party, led by President Raúl Alfonsín, secured a significant victory. The UCR obtained 43.58% of the vote, winning 65 out of 127 seats in the Chamber of Deputies, thereby increasing its majority. The main opposition, the Justicialist Liberation Front (FREJULI), received 24.49% of the vote, securing 37 seats. This outcome was seen as an endorsement of Alfonsín's anti-inflation measures and his decision to prosecute former military junta members for human rights abuses. source: en.wikipedia.org
04 Nov 1985 1985 Election Day Floods in West Virginia and Virginia: In early November 1985, severe flooding occurred in West Virginia and Virginia, triggered by two Gulf-origin low-pressure systems bringing record rainfall across the Potomac, Cheat, and Monongahela basins. The floods resulted in 38 fatalities and nearly $700 million in damage in West Virginia, while Virginia experienced 22 deaths and $753 million in damages. The event coincided with Election Day, leading to its name as the "Election Day Floods." source: en.wikipedia.org
05 Nov 1985 Death of Spencer W. Kimball, LDS Church President: Spencer W. Kimball, the 12th President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away on November 5, 1985, at the age of 90 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He had been battling health issues for nearly 30 years, including operations for throat cancer, heart ailments, and subdural hematomas. Under his leadership, the church experienced significant growth and doctrinal developments. source: washingtonpost.com
06 Nov 1985 Wojciech Jaruzelski elected president of Poland: On November 6, 1985, General Wojciech Jaruzelski resigned as Prime Minister and was elected President of the Council of State by the Polish Parliament. This move allowed him to retain his position as First Secretary of the Communist Party and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, consolidating his authority as Poland's most powerful leader. source: washingtonpost.com
07 Nov 1985 Colombian Palace of Justice siege ends after 27-hour assault: On November 6, 1985, the M-19 guerrilla group stormed Colombia's Palace of Justice in Bogotá, taking approximately 350 hostages, including Supreme Court justices. The Colombian military launched a 27-hour operation to retake the building, culminating in a final assault on November 7. The operation resulted in over 100 deaths, including 11 Supreme Court justices, and the destruction of the building by fire. source: latimes.com
08 Nov 1985 Space Shuttle Atlantis preparation for STS-61B mission on November 8, 1985: On November 8, 1985, Space Shuttle Atlantis was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for mating in preparation for the STS-61B mission. This marked a significant milestone in the shuttle's rapid turnaround, as Atlantis had returned to the Kennedy Space Center on October 12, 1985, after completing the STS-51J mission. The swift processing and preparation for STS-61B demonstrated NASA's efficiency in managing shuttle operations. source: nasa.gov
09 Nov 1985 Brabant Killers attack Delhaize supermarket in Aalst, Belgium: On November 9, 1985, three masked gunmen attacked the Delhaize supermarket in Aalst, Belgium, killing eight people and injuring nine others. The perpetrators, known as the Brabant Killers, were responsible for a series of violent robberies in the 1980s, resulting in 28 deaths and 22 injuries. Despite extensive investigations, the case remains unsolved. source: upi.com
10 Nov 1985 Garry Kasparov becomes World Chess Champion: Garry Kasparov won the World Chess Championship on November 10, 1985, by defeating Anatoly Karpov. This victory marked the beginning of Kasparov's reign as the world's top chess player, a position he held for 15 years. The match was notable for its intense competition and strategic depth, solidifying Kasparov's legacy in the chess world. source: britannica.com
11 Nov 1985 An Early Frost, the first AIDS-themed TV movie, airs on NBC: On November 11, 1985, NBC broadcast 'An Early Frost,' the first major television film addressing AIDS. The drama, starring Aidan Quinn, Gena Rowlands, and Ben Gazzara, follows a young lawyer who returns home to reveal his homosexuality and AIDS diagnosis to his family. The film was praised for its sensitive portrayal of the disease and garnered significant viewership and critical acclaim. source: washingtonpost.com
12 Nov 1985 STS-61-B vehicle moved to launch pad: On November 12, 1985, the Space Shuttle Atlantis was rolled out to Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in preparation for the STS-61-B mission. This marked a significant milestone in the mission's timeline, following the shuttle's move to the Vehicle Assembly Building on November 7, 1985, and its earlier tow to the Orbiter Processing Facility on October 12, 1985. source: nasa.gov
13 Nov 1985 Nevado del Ruiz volcanic eruption causes catastrophic lahars in Colombia: On November 13, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted in Colombia, melting its glaciers and generating massive lahars (volcanic mudflows) that devastated nearby towns, including Armero. The disaster resulted in over 23,000 fatalities and significant property damage. source: usgs.gov
14 Nov 1985 Nevado del Ruiz volcanic disaster in Colombia: On November 14, 1985, the Nevado del Ruiz volcano erupted, triggering a massive lahar that devastated the town of Armero in Colombia. The disaster resulted in the deaths of approximately 23,000 people and caused significant destruction to infrastructure and homes. This event highlighted the importance of volcanic monitoring and disaster preparedness in vulnerable regions. source: britannica.com
15 Nov 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement signed by UK and Ireland: On November 15, 1985, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. This accord granted the Irish government a consultative role in Northern Ireland's affairs, aiming to address the longstanding tensions and violence in the region. The agreement outlined cooperation in political, security, legal, and cross-border matters. source: britannica.com
16 Nov 1985 Space Shuttle Enterprise transported to Smithsonian: On November 16, 1985, the Space Shuttle Enterprise was transported to the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. This marked a significant moment in aerospace history, as Enterprise was the first shuttle built for NASA and was used for testing purposes. The shuttle remains a key exhibit, showcasing the early days of the Space Shuttle program. source: nasa.gov
17 Nov 1985 Howard Stern begins broadcasting on WXRK FM: On November 17, 1985, Howard Stern began broadcasting on WXRK 92.3 FM in New York City. This marked his return to the New York airwaves after his departure from WNBC AM. Stern initially hosted the afternoon slot from 2–6 pm, later transitioning to mornings on February 18, 1986. source: en.wikipedia.org
18 Nov 1985 Space Shuttle Enterprise transferred to Smithsonian Institution: On November 18, 1985, NASA ferried the Space Shuttle Enterprise to Washington Dulles International Airport, where it was officially transferred to the Smithsonian Institution. The shuttle was placed in storage at the National Air and Space Museum's hangar, awaiting the completion of a new exhibition facility. Enterprise remained in storage for 18 years before being moved to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in 2003. source: nasa.gov
19 Nov 1985 Reagan and Gorbachev hold their first summit meeting: On November 19, 1985, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev met in Geneva for the first time in six years. The summit focused on arms control, human rights, and regional conflicts, resulting in six bilateral agreements on cultural and scientific exchanges, improved air safety, consular exchanges, research, and environmental protection. The meeting concluded with the announcement that Gorbachev had accepted Reagan's invitation to visit the United States for a summit in 1986. source: reaganlibrary.gov
20 Nov 1985 Microsoft Windows 1.0 launched on November 20, 1985: Microsoft Windows 1.0 was officially launched on November 20, 1985. This marked the beginning of the Windows operating system, which introduced a graphical user interface to the MS-DOS operating system. Windows 1.0 was a significant step in personal computing, paving the way for future versions and the widespread adoption of graphical interfaces. source: britannica.com
21 Nov 1985 Jonathan Pollard arrested for espionage in 1985: Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst, was arrested on November 21, 1985, for spying for Israel. He was convicted of passing classified information to the Israeli government, which led to significant diplomatic tensions. Pollard was sentenced to life in prison but was released on parole in 2015 after serving 30 years. source: bbc.com
22 Nov 1985 Largest U.S. Citizenship Ceremony in Los Angeles: On November 22, 1985, a record-breaking 38,648 immigrants from 106 countries were sworn in as U.S. citizens in Los Angeles, marking the largest such ceremony in American history at that time. source: upi.com
23 Nov 1985 EgyptAir Flight 648 hijacking and commando raid: On November 23, 1985, EgyptAir Flight 648 was hijacked by members of the Abu Nidal Organization. The aircraft, en route from Athens to Cairo, was diverted to Malta, where a commando raid by Egyptian forces resulted in the rescue of hostages but also led to casualties. The incident highlighted the complexities of international terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts during that era. source: britannica.com
24 Nov 1985 Egyptian commandos storm hijacked EgyptAir jet in Malta: On November 24, 1985, Egyptian commandos stormed a hijacked EgyptAir Boeing 737 at Malta's Luqa Airport. The hijackers, members of the Abu Nidal Organization, had seized the flight from Athens to Cairo, demanding refueling and threatening passengers. During the assault, grenades were detonated, causing a fire that led to the deaths of at least 57 people, including passengers and hijackers. The operation was authorized by Maltese Prime Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici after negotiations failed. Three U.S. military officers accompanied the Egyptian commandos to Malta but did not participate in the assault. The surviving hijacker, Omar Rezaq, was later tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States. source: washingtonpost.com
25 Nov 1985 Soviet Antonov An-12 shot down in Angola: On November 25, 1985, an Aeroflot Antonov An-12BP cargo aircraft, operated by the Soviet Air Force, was shot down by South African Special Forces while en route from Cuito Cuanavale to Luanda, Angola. The aircraft crashed approximately 43 kilometers east of Menongue in the Cuando Cubango province, resulting in the deaths of all 21 occupants, including eight crew members and 13 passengers. Eyewitnesses and investigative reports indicated that the aircraft was struck by a surface-to-air missile, likely a Soviet-made 9K31 Strela-1 system captured by South African forces. The incident occurred during the Angolan Civil War and the South African Border War, amidst operations involving the Soviet Union-backed People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola (FAPLA) against the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), which received support from South Africa. source: en.wikipedia.org
26 Nov 1985 Space Shuttle Atlantis Mission STS-61B: On November 26, 1985, Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-61B, deploying three communications satellites: MORELOS-B for Mexico, AUSSAT-2 for Australia, and SATCOM KU-2 for RCA Americom. The mission also conducted two spacewalks to test assembling structures in space, marking the 50th and 51st extravehicular activities for the U.S. The mission lasted 6 days, 21 hours, 4 minutes, and 49 seconds, landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on December 3, 1985. source: nasa.gov
27 Nov 1985 Alison Pill: Canadian actress born in Toronto: Alison Pill, born on November 27, 1985, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian actress known for her work in film, television, and theater. She began her acting career at a young age, appearing in various television movies and series. Pill gained recognition for her role in the film 'Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen' (2004) and received a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway debut in 'The Lieutenant of Inishmore' (2006). source: rottentomatoes.com
28 Nov 1985 Formation of Belgium's 6th Martens Government: On November 28, 1985, Prime Minister Wilfried Martens formed the 6th Martens Government in Belgium. This coalition government, comprising Christian Democrats and Liberals, succeeded the Martens V Government and was preceded by the Martens VII Government. source: en.wikipedia.org
29 Nov 1985 Assassination of Gérard Hoarau in London: Gérard Hoarau, a Seychellois political activist and leader of the Mouvement Pour La Résistance (MPR), was assassinated on November 29, 1985, in Edgware, North London. He was shot multiple times on his doorstep by an unidentified gunman. The British police have never solved his murder, but the René government was highly implicated. As well as the hired hit-man, British police also believed that there was another individual—believed to be a Seychellois—who knew Hoarau and was able to identify him to the foreign assassin. Neither Hoarau's assassin nor his accomplice has been caught. British police did arrest a number for tapping Hoarau's telephone line, who were recommended to the Seychelles government by Ian Withers, who worked as a security adviser and was himself arrested in 2018. source: en.wikipedia.org
30 Nov 1985 Alabama defeats Auburn 25-23 in 1985 Iron Bowl: In the 1985 Iron Bowl, Alabama secured a 25-23 victory over Auburn with a 52-yard field goal by Van Tiffin as time expired. The game featured a dramatic fourth quarter with four lead changes, including a crucial drive by Alabama's quarterback Mike Shula in the final minute. Tiffin's field goal, known as "The Kick," remains a memorable moment in college football history. source: en.wikipedia.org