Major Events of July 1987: 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 July 1987 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of July 1987: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jul 1987 Single European Act passed by the European Community: The Single European Act was signed on February 17, 1986, and came into force on July 1, 1987. It aimed to create a single internal market within the European Community by 1992, enhancing economic integration and cooperation among member states. This act marked a significant step towards European integration, laying the groundwork for the European Union as we know it today. source: europarl.europa.eu
- 02 Jul 1987 18 die in locked boxcar in Sierra Blanca, Texas: On July 2, 1987, 18 individuals suffocated in a locked, steel-walled boxcar in Sierra Blanca, Texas, due to extreme heat, in what authorities described as a botched smuggling attempt. source: usdeadlyevents.com
- 03 Jul 1987 First hot-air balloon transatlantic crossing: On July 2, 1987, Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand embarked on the first transatlantic flight in a hot-air balloon, the Virgin Atlantic Flyer, from Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine, USA, to Limavady, Northern Ireland. The journey covered 4,947 km (3,075 miles) in 31 hours and 41 minutes. After a brief landing in Northern Ireland, the balloon was ditched into the Irish Sea, and both aviators were rescued by the Royal Navy. source: guinnessworldrecords.com
- 04 Jul 1987 Klaus Barbie convicted of crimes against humanity: Klaus Barbie, a former Nazi officer known as the 'Butcher of Lyon,' was convicted in France on July 4, 1987, for crimes against humanity. He was responsible for the torture and deportation of numerous individuals during World War II. His trial marked a significant moment in the pursuit of justice for war crimes committed during the Holocaust. source: britannica.com
- 05 Jul 1987 LTTE's first suicide attack: Birth of the Black Tigers: On July 5, 1987, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) conducted their first suicide attack during the Battle of Nelliady. Captain Miller, an LTTE member, drove a truck laden with explosives into a Sri Lankan Army camp in Nelliady, Jaffna District, resulting in the deaths of at least 40 soldiers. This operation marked the inception of the Black Tigers, an elite LTTE unit specializing in suicide missions. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 06 Jul 1987 1987 Lalru bus massacre in Punjab, India: On July 6, 1987, Sikh militants hijacked a Haryana Roadways bus near Lalru village in Punjab, India, killing 38 passengers, mostly Hindus traveling to Rishikesh. The attackers, believed to be members of the Khalistan Commando Force, opened fire on the bus, resulting in 38 fatalities and 32 injuries. A note found at the scene stated that for every Sikh killed, 100 Hindus would be killed in retaliation. source: upi.com
- 07 Jul 1987 Kiwanis Clubs vote to admit women as members: On July 7, 1987, the Kiwanis International organization voted to allow women to become members of the clubs, marking a significant change in the organization's policy. This decision was part of a broader movement towards inclusivity within service organizations. The vote reflected changing societal norms regarding gender roles and participation in civic life. source: nytimes.com
- 08 Jul 1987 Sun Microsystems introduces first SPARC-based workstation: On July 8, 1987, Sun Microsystems unveiled the Sun-4/260, its first workstation utilizing the SPARC (Scalable Processor Architecture) RISC processor. This system offered 10 million instructions per second (MIPS) performance, significantly enhancing computational capabilities for tasks like computer-aided design and graphics processing. source: upi.com
- 09 Jul 1987 Oliver North's testimony in Iran-Contra hearings: On July 9, 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North testified before a joint congressional committee investigating the Iran-Contra affair. North admitted to misleading Congress and shredding documents related to the covert operations. He defended his actions by stating that he believed in the goal of aiding the Contras and viewed the Iran-Contra scheme as a "neat idea." source: cbsnews.com
- 10 Jul 1987 Oliver North testifies in Iran-Contra Affair Congressional Hearing: On July 10, 1987, Lt. Col. Oliver North testified before a joint congressional committee investigating the Iran-Contra Affair. During his testimony, North admitted to shredding documents related to the covert operations and acknowledged misleading Congress about his involvement. He claimed that he believed he had presidential authorization for his actions and that he acted on orders from his superiors. source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Jul 1987 World population reaches 5 billion on July 11, 1987: On July 11, 1987, the United Nations designated this date as the 'Day of Five Billion,' marking the approximate moment the global population reached five billion. The UN chose Matej Gašpar from Zagreb, Croatia, as the symbolic 5-billionth person alive on Earth, coinciding with the 1987 Summer Universiade held in the city. source: un.org
- 12 Jul 1987 White South Africans meet ANC representatives in Dakar: Between July 9 and 12, 1987, a delegation of 61 white South Africans, primarily from the Afrikaner community, met with 17 exiled leaders of the African National Congress (ANC) in Dakar, Senegal. The conference aimed to explore alternatives to apartheid and discuss the future of South Africa. The talks concluded with a joint commitment to replace apartheid with a nonracial democracy. source: washingtonpost.com
- 13 Jul 1987 Soviet consular delegation visits Israel after 20 years: On July 13, 1987, a Soviet consular delegation arrived in Israel, marking the first official Soviet visit since diplomatic relations were severed in 1967. The delegation, led by Yevgeny Antipov, aimed to survey Soviet-owned properties and address issues concerning Soviet citizens residing in Israel. While the visit was portrayed as technical, it signaled a potential thaw in Israeli-Soviet relations and Moscow's interest in participating in Middle East peace efforts. source: washingtonpost.com
- 14 Jul 1987 Taiwan ends martial law after 38 years: On July 14, 1987, Taiwan officially lifted martial law, which had been in place since 1949. This significant political change marked the beginning of democratic reforms in Taiwan, allowing for greater political freedoms and the eventual establishment of a multi-party system. The end of martial law is often seen as a pivotal moment in Taiwan's transition to democracy. source: bbc.com
- 15 Jul 1987 Poindexter testifies in Iran-Contra hearings: On July 15, 1987, former National Security Adviser John M. Poindexter testified before Congress regarding the Iran-Contra affair. He stated that he did not inform President Reagan about the diversion of funds from the Iran arms sales to support Nicaraguan rebels, aiming to protect the President from potential political embarrassment. Poindexter also admitted to destroying a presidential finding that authorized the arms-for-hostages deal, citing concerns over its political implications. source: csmonitor.com
- 16 Jul 1987 British nuclear test "Midland" conducted at Nevada Test Site: On July 16, 1987, the United Kingdom conducted a nuclear test code-named "Midland" at the Nevada Test Site in the United States. The test was part of the "Musketeer" series, which included 15 U.S. nuclear tests between 1986 and 1987. The "Midland" test was an underground detonation with an estimated yield of 20 kilotons, similar to the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. source: military-history.fandom.com
- 17 Jul 1987 Don Mattingly hits home run in seventh consecutive game: On July 17, 1987, New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly hit a home run in his seventh consecutive game, leading off the fourth inning against Texas Rangers pitcher Paul Kilgus. This achievement made him the first American League player to hit home runs in seven consecutive games, a record he would tie with eight consecutive games the following day. source: mlb.com
- 18 Jul 1987 Molly Yard elected president of NOW: Molly Yard was elected president of the National Organization for Women (NOW) on July 18, 1987, succeeding Eleanor Smeal. Yard, a seasoned activist and political director for NOW, emphasized the 'feminization of power' and advocated for increased female representation in government. Under her leadership, NOW's membership grew significantly, and she played a pivotal role in opposing the nomination of Robert Bork to the U.S. Supreme Court. source: latimes.com
- 19 Jul 1987 Nick Faldo wins 116th British Open at Muirfield: Nick Faldo secured his first major championship victory at the 116th British Open on July 19, 1987, at Muirfield Golf Links in Gullane, Scotland. He parred all 18 holes in the final round, finishing with a total score of 279, one stroke ahead of runners-up Paul Azinger and Rodger Davis. This victory marked the first time an Englishman had won The Open since Tony Jacklin in 1969. source: theopen.com
- 20 Jul 1987 UN Security Council Resolution 598 on Iran-Iraq War: On July 20, 1987, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 598, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Iran and Iraq, the repatriation of prisoners of war, and the withdrawal of forces to internationally recognized borders. The resolution also requested the UN Secretary-General to dispatch observers to monitor the ceasefire. Iraq accepted the resolution promptly, but Iran did not agree until July 1988, leading to the cessation of hostilities on August 8, 1988. source: peacemaker.un.org
- 21 Jul 1987 Kristi Addis crowned Miss Teen USA 1987: Kristi Addis, representing Mississippi, was crowned Miss Teen USA on July 21, 1987, in El Paso, Texas. She was the first Miss Teen USA from Mississippi. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 22 Jul 1987 Gorbachev proposes eliminating some nuclear missiles: On July 22, 1987, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev announced Moscow's readiness to eliminate all medium-range nuclear missiles in Asia, contingent upon the United States renouncing its right to deploy 100 warheads on its territory. This proposal aimed to eliminate all Soviet and American intermediate-range missiles deployed in Europe and Asia, marking a significant policy shift in arms control negotiations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Jul 1987 Twin Cities Superstorm of 1987: On July 23–24, 1987, the Twin Cities experienced a record-breaking rainfall event, with 9.15 inches falling at the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. This led to severe flash flooding, causing extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, and resulting in two fatalities. The storm was part of the wettest summer on record for the region, with a total of 23.52 inches of rain from June to August. source: dnr.state.mn.us
- 24 Jul 1987 US Supertanker SS Bridgeton collides with mine in 1987: On July 24, 1987, the US supertanker SS Bridgeton collided with a mine in the Persian Gulf, which had been laid during the Iran-Iraq War. The incident caused significant damage to the vessel but fortunately resulted in no casualties. This event highlighted the dangers of maritime navigation in conflict zones during that period. source: britannica.com
- 25 Jul 1987 R. Venkataraman sworn in as India's eighth president: Ramaswamy Venkataraman, a veteran politician and former Vice President, was sworn in as the eighth President of India on July 25, 1987. The ceremony took place in Parliament House, with Chief Justice R.S. Pathak administering the oath of office. Venkataraman's election followed a three-way race, where he secured 740,148 votes, defeating V. R. Krishna Iyer and Mithilesh Kumar. source: upi.com
- 26 Jul 1987 1987 Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony: On July 26, 1987, the Baseball Hall of Fame inducted three new members: Jim "Catfish" Hunter and Billy Williams, elected by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), and Ray Dandridge, selected by the Veterans Committee. The ceremony took place in Cooperstown, New York, with Commissioner Peter Ueberroth in attendance. Additionally, broadcaster Jack Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award for broadcast excellence, and writer Jack Lang was honored with the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing. source: baseballhall.org
- 27 Jul 1987 John Demjanjuk testifies in his own defense during Israeli war crimes trial: On July 27, 1987, John Demjanjuk, a retired Cleveland auto worker, took the stand in his own defense during his war crimes trial in Israel. He denied being 'Ivan the Terrible,' a notorious guard at the Treblinka death camp, and claimed he was a victim of mistaken identity. Demjanjuk's testimony lasted 4.5 hours, during which he recounted his early life in Ukraine and his time as a Soviet prisoner of war. source: washingtonpost.com
- 28 Jul 1987 Kylie Minogue launches music career with debut single: Kylie Minogue launched her music career on July 28, 1987, with the release of her debut single "The Loco-Motion." The song became a major hit, reaching the top of the charts in Australia and later in the United States. This marked the beginning of her successful career as a pop artist, leading to numerous hits and a lasting impact on the music industry. source: abc.net.au
- 29 Jul 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed to resolve ethnic conflict: The Indo-Sri Lanka Accord was signed on July 29, 1987, between India and Sri Lanka to address the ongoing ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. The agreement aimed to establish peace and autonomy for the Tamil population in the northern and eastern regions of the country. It also involved the deployment of Indian peacekeeping forces to maintain order during the transition. source: bbc.com
- 30 Jul 1987 US Billboard Hot 100 Number One Hit: Shakedown by Bob Seger: On July 30, 1987, "Shakedown" by Bob Seger was the number one song on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song, featured in the movie "Beverly Hills Cop II," marked Seger's first number one hit on this chart. It held the top position for one week, from July 25 to August 1, 1987. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 31 Jul 1987 Edmonton tornado disaster caused significant damage and casualties: On July 31, 1987, a powerful tornado struck Edmonton, Alberta, resulting in extensive damage and several fatalities. The tornado, rated F4 on the Fujita scale, destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and caused injuries to over 300 people. It remains one of the most devastating tornadoes in Canadian history. source: thecanadianencyclopedia.ca