Major Events of September 1986: 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 September 1986 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of September 1986: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Sep 1986 Jerry Lewis' 21st Muscular Dystrophy Telethon raises over $34 million: On September 1, 1986, the 21st annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon raised a record $34,096,733 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The 22.5-hour broadcast featured numerous celebrities and was carried by nearly 200 television stations across the country. source: latimes.com
- 02 Sep 1986 Cathy Evelyn Smith sentenced for John Belushi's death: On September 2, 1986, Cathy Evelyn Smith, a former backup singer, was sentenced to three years in state prison for her role in the 1982 death of comedian John Belushi. Smith had pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter and three counts of furnishing and administering the drugs that led to Belushi's fatal overdose. source: latimes.com
- 03 Sep 1986 MLB record: Most players in a single game: On September 3, 1986, the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs set a Major League Baseball record by utilizing 53 players in a single game. The game, which had been suspended after 14 innings the previous day, concluded with the Astros winning 8–7 in the 18th inning, thanks to Billy Hatcher's home run. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 04 Sep 1986 Formation of Eusko Alkartasuna, a Basque nationalist political party: On September 4, 1986, Carlos Garaikoetxea, former lehendakari (Basque President), led a split from the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) to form Eusko Alkartasuna (EA), a new political party advocating for Basque independence and social democracy. The official presentation of EA took place on October 20, 1986, at the Anoeta velodrome in San Sebastián. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Sep 1986 Hijacking of Pan Am Flight 73 in Karachi, Pakistan: On September 5, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73, a Boeing 747-121, was hijacked at Karachi's Jinnah International Airport by four armed members of the Abu Nidal Organization. The aircraft, en route from Mumbai to New York with a stopover in Karachi, was carrying 360 passengers and 19 crew members. The hijackers, disguised as airport security personnel, boarded the plane and took control, demanding to be flown to Cyprus to secure the release of Palestinian prisoners. During the 16-hour ordeal, the hijackers killed 21 passengers and injured over 100 others before Pakistani commandos stormed the aircraft, leading to the arrest of the hijackers. Senior Flight Purser Neerja Bhanot was posthumously honored for her bravery in saving numerous lives during the hijacking. source: britannica.com
- 06 Sep 1986 Pan Am Flight 73 hijacking incident: On September 6, 1986, Pan Am Flight 73 was hijacked by four armed men from the Abu Nidal Organization while it was on the ground in Karachi, Pakistan. The hijackers held the passengers hostage for 16 hours, resulting in the deaths of 20 people and injuries to many others. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in airport security and led to changes in international aviation protocols. source: britannica.com
- 07 Sep 1986 Desmond Tutu becomes first Black Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town: On September 7, 1986, Desmond Tutu was enthroned as the Archbishop of Cape Town, becoming the first Black person to lead the Anglican Church in Southern Africa. His election was a significant milestone in the church's history, reflecting a shift towards inclusivity and recognition of Black leadership within the religious community. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Sep 1986 Nicholas Daniloff charged with espionage by Soviet authorities: On September 8, 1986, Soviet authorities formally charged Nicholas Daniloff, Moscow correspondent for U.S. News & World Report, with espionage. Daniloff had been arrested on August 30 after accepting a package from a Soviet acquaintance, which allegedly contained maps and photographs marked 'top secret.' The U.S. government protested the arrest, viewing it as retaliation for the earlier detention of Soviet UN employee Gennadi Zakharov in New York on espionage charges. source: washingtonpost.com
- 09 Sep 1986 Compaq introduces Deskpro 386, first 80386-based personal computer: On September 9, 1986, Compaq Computer Corporation unveiled the Deskpro 386, the first personal computer to feature Intel's 32-bit 80386 microprocessor. This marked a significant advancement in personal computing, offering enhanced performance and capabilities. The Deskpro 386 was priced at $6,499 for the Model 40, $7,299 for the Model 70, and $8,799 for the Model 130. source: latimes.com
- 10 Sep 1986 Bryan O'Connor appointed chairman of NASA's Space Flight Safety Panel: In September 1986, NASA appointed astronaut Bryan O'Connor as the chairman of its newly established Space Flight Safety Panel. The panel was tasked with overseeing all NASA manned space activities affecting flight safety, reporting directly to the Associate Administrator for Space Flight. O'Connor's appointment aimed to enhance the agency's commitment to astronaut safety following the Challenger disaster earlier that year. source: nasa.gov
- 11 Sep 1986 Egypt and Israel agree on Taba arbitration, paving way for summit: On September 11, 1986, Egypt and Israel reached an agreement on the arbitration of the Taba border dispute, clearing the way for a summit between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres. The summit, held in Alexandria, marked the first meeting between the two nations' leaders in five years and aimed to improve bilateral relations and advance the Middle East peace process. source: washingtonpost.com
- 12 Sep 1986 Michael Jackson's 'Captain EO' premieres at Disney's EPCOT Center: On September 12, 1986, Michael Jackson's 3D film 'Captain EO' premiered at Disney's EPCOT Center in Orlando, Florida. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and produced by George Lucas, the 17-minute film featured Jackson as Captain EO, delivering a musical message to the Supreme Leader, portrayed by Anjelica Huston. The attraction was notable for its innovative use of 3D and in-theater special effects, marking a significant advancement in theme park entertainment. source: michaeljackson.com
- 13 Sep 1986 The Economist introduces Big Mac Index: The Big Mac Index was introduced by The Economist on September 13, 1986, as a lighthearted way to measure purchasing power parity (PPP) between nations. It compares the price of a Big Mac in various countries to assess whether currencies are undervalued or overvalued. This index has since become a popular economic indicator. source: economist.com
- 14 Sep 1986 Walter Payton's 177-yard rushing performance against the Philadelphia Eagles: On September 14, 1986, during a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Walter Payton achieved his highest rushing yardage of the 1986 season, recording 177 yards on 34 carries, including a touchdown. This performance contributed to the Chicago Bears' 13-10 overtime victory, improving their season record to 2–0. source: nfl.com
- 15 Sep 1986 L.A. Law television series premiere: L.A. Law, an American legal drama series, premiered on NBC on September 15, 1986. The show ran for eight seasons, concluding on May 19, 1994. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 Sep 1986 Kinross Gold Mine disaster in South Africa: On September 16, 1986, a catastrophic fire erupted at the Kinross Gold Mine in Mpumalanga, South Africa, resulting in the deaths of 177 miners and injuring 235 others. The disaster was triggered by a welding accident that ignited an acetylene cylinder, leading to a blaze that spread rapidly through the mine. The fire ignited polyurethane foam lining the tunnel walls and plastic wire coverings, releasing toxic fumes that suffocated the miners. This incident remains one of the deadliest mining disasters in South African history. source: washingtonpost.com
- 17 Sep 1986 William Rehnquist confirmed as Chief Justice of the United States: On September 17, 1986, the U.S. Senate confirmed William Rehnquist as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States by a 65-33 vote. He succeeded Warren E. Burger, who had retired. Rehnquist was sworn in on September 26, 1986. source: washingtonpost.com
- 18 Sep 1986 Motorola announces 68030 microprocessor: On September 18, 1986, Motorola announced the 68030 microprocessor, a 32-bit processor in the 68000 family. It featured a memory management unit (MMU) and instruction and data caches of 256 bytes each, offering improved performance over its predecessor, the 68020. The 68030 was released in 1987. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Sep 1986 U.S. government announces expanded access to AZT for AIDS patients: On September 19, 1986, the U.S. government announced that AZT, an experimental anti-AIDS drug, would be made available to thousands of patients nationwide. Initial tests indicated that AZT could prolong the survival of some AIDS patients, leading to its wider distribution. Dr. Robert E. Windom, Assistant Secretary of Health, emphasized that while AZT showed promise, it was not a cure for AIDS. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Sep 1986 38th Primetime Emmy Awards highlights: The 38th Primetime Emmy Awards were held on September 21, 1986, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. Hosted by David Letterman and Shelley Long, the ceremony honored outstanding television achievements. 'The Golden Girls' won Outstanding Comedy Series, with Betty White receiving Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. 'Cagney & Lacey' secured Outstanding Drama Series, and 'Peter the Great' was named Outstanding Miniseries. The Governors' Award was presented to Red Skelton, who had been absent from television for 16 years. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 22 Sep 1986 Stockholm Disarmament Accord signed by 35 nations: On September 22, 1986, the Conference on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures and Disarmament in Europe (CDE) adopted the Stockholm Document, an accord aimed at reducing the risk of war in Europe. The agreement required NATO and Warsaw Pact member nations to notify each other of major military activities, enhancing transparency and trust between the blocs. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Sep 1986 Jim Deshaies sets MLB record with 8 consecutive strikeouts to start game: On September 23, 1986, Houston Astros pitcher Jim Deshaies struck out the first eight batters he faced against the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting a Major League Baseball record. He achieved this feat in a 4-0 shutout victory, finishing the game with 10 strikeouts. source: mlb.com
- 25 Sep 1986 Nikolay Semyonov, Nobel laureate, dies at 90: Nikolay Semyonov, a Soviet physicist and chemist renowned for his work on chemical reactions, passed away in Moscow at the age of 90. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1956 for his research on the mechanism of chemical transformations. source: britannica.com
- 26 Sep 1986 William Rehnquist sworn in as Chief Justice of the United States: On September 26, 1986, William Rehnquist was sworn in as the 16th Chief Justice of the United States, succeeding Warren E. Burger. He had been nominated by President Ronald Reagan on June 20, 1986, and confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 1986, with a 65-33 vote. Rehnquist had served as an Associate Justice since 1972 before his elevation to Chief Justice. source: supremecourt.gov
- 27 Sep 1986 Tax Reform Act of 1986 passed by U.S. Congress: On September 27, 1986, the U.S. Senate passed the Tax Reform Act of 1986, a comprehensive overhaul of the federal tax code. The Act aimed to simplify the tax system, broaden the tax base, and eliminate numerous tax shelters and preferences. It reduced the top individual tax rate from 50% to 28%, increased the standard deduction and personal exemptions, and expanded the earned income tax credit, effectively removing approximately six million low-income Americans from the tax rolls. The Act also increased the corporate tax rate from 46% to 50% and eliminated various tax deductions, including those for rental housing, individual retirement accounts, and depreciation. source: congress.gov
- 28 Sep 1986 Democratic Progressive Party established as Taiwan's first opposition party: On September 28, 1986, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was founded in Taiwan, marking the emergence of the island's first opposition party. This event signified a significant shift from decades of one-party rule under the Kuomintang (KMT), paving the way for Taiwan's transition to a multi-party democracy. source: britannica.com
- 29 Sep 1986 Mary Lou Retton announces retirement from gymnastics at age 18: On September 29, 1986, at 18, Mary Lou Retton, the first American woman to win the Olympic all-around gold medal in gymnastics, announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics. She expressed a desire to pursue studies in communications at the University of Texas and to remain involved with the sport as a coach and announcer. source: upi.com
- 30 Sep 1986 Mossad abducts Mordechai Vanunu in Rome: On September 30, 1986, Israeli nuclear whistleblower Mordechai Vanunu was abducted in Rome by agents of the Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. Vanunu had previously revealed details of Israel's nuclear weapons program to the British press, leading to his abduction. He was drugged, bound, and secretly transported to Israel, where he was tried and convicted for treason and espionage, receiving an 18-year prison sentence. source: theguardian.com