Major Events of September 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 September 1987 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of September 1987: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Sep 1987 Michael Chang becomes youngest male to win a match at the US Open: On September 1, 1987, at 15 years old, Michael Chang defeated Paul McNamee in the first round of the US Open, becoming the youngest male player to win a match in the tournament's history. Despite losing in the second round to Nduka Odizor, Chang's performance marked a significant milestone in his early career. source: upi.com
02 Sep 1987 Mathias Rust trial begins in Moscow: On September 2, 1987, the trial of West German pilot Mathias Rust commenced in Moscow. Rust, 19, had landed his Cessna 172 near Red Square on May 28, 1987, after flying undetected through Soviet airspace. He faced charges including malicious hooliganism, illegal entry into the Soviet Union, and violating flight regulations. Rust apologized for his actions, stating he hoped to meet Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss peace initiatives. source: washingtonpost.com
03 Sep 1987 Burundi military coup ousts President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza: On September 3, 1987, a bloodless military coup in Burundi led by Major Pierre Buyoya deposed President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza while he was attending a summit in Quebec. The coup resulted in the formation of the Military Committee for National Salvation, with Buyoya assuming the presidency. Bagaza, upon hearing of the coup, attempted to return to Burundi but was denied entry into Kenya and subsequently sought asylum in Uganda and later Libya. source: washingtonpost.com
04 Sep 1987 Bill Bowes, English cricketer, dies at 79: William Eric Bowes, known as Bill Bowes, was an English professional cricketer who played for Yorkshire and England. He passed away on September 4, 1987, in Otley, West Yorkshire, at the age of 79. source: wisden.com
05 Sep 1987 Carlton Fisk hits 300th career home run: On September 5, 1987, Carlton Fisk, the legendary catcher for the Chicago White Sox, hit his 300th career home run during a game against the New York Yankees. This milestone made Fisk one of the few catchers in Major League Baseball history to reach 300 home runs, solidifying his status as one of the game's greats. Fisk's achievement was celebrated by fans and marked a significant moment in his illustrious career. source: baseball-reference.com
06 Sep 1987 Surgical separation of conjoined twins Patrick and Benjamin Binder at Johns Hopkins Hospital: On September 6, 1987, a 22-hour operation successfully separated seven-month-old conjoined twins Patrick and Benjamin Binder, who were joined at the back of their heads. The procedure, led by Dr. Ben Carson at Johns Hopkins Hospital, was groundbreaking and carried significant risks due to the shared major veins in their brains. The twins' parents, Josef and Theresia Binder from Ulm, West Germany, had been consulted extensively before proceeding with the surgery. source: washingtonpost.com
07 Sep 1987 Erich Honecker's 1987 visit to West Germany: On September 7, 1987, East German leader Erich Honecker became the first East German head of state to visit West Germany. During his five-day visit, Honecker met with West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and President Richard von Weizsäcker, discussing topics such as disarmament, border issues, and the possibility of reunification. He also visited his hometown in Saarland, where he spoke of a future without borders dividing Germans. source: en.wikipedia.org
08 Sep 1987 Gary Hart admits to marital infidelity: On September 8, 1987, former U.S. Senator Gary Hart publicly acknowledged committing adultery during an interview on ABC's 'Nightline.' He admitted to being unfaithful in his 29-year marriage and expressed regret for his actions, stating, 'I made a serious mistake.' Hart also announced he was withdrawing from the 1988 presidential race, emphasizing his desire to contribute to the national debate in other ways. source: washingtonpost.com
09 Sep 1987 Nolan Ryan reaches 4,500 career strikeouts: On September 9, 1987, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros struck out Mike Aldrete of the San Francisco Giants for his 4,500th career strikeout. Ryan achieved this milestone while pitching a complete game, recording 16 strikeouts in a 4-2 victory. Additionally, he contributed offensively by driving in the winning run with a hit. This performance underscored his enduring dominance on the mound. source: sabr.org
10 Sep 1987 Pope John Paul II's pastoral visit to the United States in 1987: Pope John Paul II visited the United States from September 10 to 19, 1987. This visit included stops in several cities, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, where he addressed various social issues and engaged with diverse communities. The visit was significant for its emphasis on peace, social justice, and interfaith dialogue. source: archives.gov
11 Sep 1987 9-1-1 Emergency Number Day established in 1987: September 11, 1987, was designated as 9-1-1 Emergency Number Day to promote the use of the 9-1-1 emergency telephone number across the United States. This initiative aimed to enhance public awareness about the importance of having a universal emergency number for quick access to emergency services. The day has since been recognized annually to emphasize the significance of emergency preparedness and response. source: fcc.gov
12 Sep 1987 Ethiopia adopts new constitution: On September 12, 1987, Ethiopia adopted a new constitution, establishing the People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (PDRE). The constitution, which had been approved by a national referendum on February 1, 1987, came into effect on this date, inaugurating the PDRE and replacing the previous Provisional Military Administrative Council (PMAC) government. source: en.wikipedia.org
13 Sep 1987 Goiânia radioactive contamination incident: On September 13, 1987, a radioactive contamination incident occurred in Goiânia, Brazil, when a group of scavengers discovered a cesium-137 source in an abandoned radiotherapy clinic. The incident led to widespread contamination, resulting in four deaths and numerous cases of radiation sickness. It highlighted significant failures in safety protocols and emergency response, prompting changes in regulations regarding radioactive materials in Brazil. source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
14 Sep 1987 Ivan Lendl wins 1987 US Open Men's Singles Championship: On September 14, 1987, Ivan Lendl defeated Mats Wilander in the US Open Men's Singles final with a score of 6–7^(7–9), 6–0, 7–6^(7–4), 6–4. This victory marked Lendl's third consecutive US Open title and his sixth Grand Slam title overall. The match lasted 4 hours and 47 minutes, making it the longest US Open final at that time. source: washingtonpost.com
15 Sep 1987 US-Soviet Nuclear Risk Reduction Treaty signed: On September 15, 1987, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Nuclear Risk Reduction Treaty in Washington, D.C. This treaty aimed to reduce the risk of nuclear war by establishing communication channels and protocols to prevent misunderstandings during crises. It was a significant step in arms control during the Cold War era. source: state.gov
16 Sep 1987 Montreal Protocol signed to protect the ozone layer: The Montreal Protocol was signed on September 16, 1987, to phase out substances that deplete the ozone layer. This international treaty has been pivotal in reducing the production and consumption of ozone-depleting chemicals, contributing significantly to the recovery of the ozone layer. It is considered one of the most successful environmental agreements in history. source: epa.gov
17 Sep 1987 Philadelphia celebrates Constitution's 200th anniversary with parade and presidential address: On September 17, 1987, Philadelphia commemorated the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution with a parade featuring 20,000 marchers, including descendants of the Constitution's signers, and a nationally broadcast address by President Ronald Reagan at Independence Hall. source: reaganlibrary.gov
18 Sep 1987 US and Soviet Union sign Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty: On September 18, 1987, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which eliminated all intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles. This landmark agreement marked a significant de-escalation in Cold War tensions and was a pivotal moment in arms control history. The treaty was a result of years of negotiations and aimed to enhance global security by reducing the nuclear threat in Europe. source: state.gov
19 Sep 1987 Farm Aid III concert held at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska: On September 19, 1987, the Farm Aid III concert took place at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska, featuring performances by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and others. The event attracted approximately 69,000 attendees and raised between $1.5 million and $1.7 million to support financially distressed farmers during the 1980s farm crisis. source: history.nebraska.gov
20 Sep 1987 Walter Payton sets NFL rushing touchdown record with 107th TD: On September 20, 1987, Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton scored his 107th career rushing touchdown, surpassing Jim Brown's previous record. In a 20-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Payton added a 9-yard receiving touchdown, contributing to the Bears' win. Despite an ankle injury, he played nearly the entire game, rushing for 24 yards on 15 carries. source: washingtonpost.com
21 Sep 1987 First Conference on Artificial Life held in Los Alamos, New Mexico: The inaugural Conference on Artificial Life, officially titled "An Interdisciplinary Workshop on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems," took place from September 21 to September 25, 1987, at Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Organized by Christopher Langton, the conference aimed to explore the synthesis and simulation of living systems, marking a significant milestone in the field of artificial life. source: alife.org
22 Sep 1987 NFL players' strike begins over free agency disputes: On September 22, 1987, the NFL Players Association initiated a strike after negotiations with team owners over free agency terms failed. The strike led to the cancellation of games scheduled for September 27 and 28, 1987. Replacement players were brought in to continue the season, but the strike concluded on October 15, 1987, after 24 days. The strike had significant impacts on the NFL season, including the New York Giants' failure to make the playoffs despite winning the Super Bowl the previous year. source: upi.com
23 Sep 1987 Bob Fosse dies of heart attack in Washington, D.C.: Renowned choreographer and director Bob Fosse died of a heart attack on September 23, 1987, in Washington, D.C. He was 60 years old and had been in the city for the opening of a revival of his musical 'Sweet Charity' at the National Theatre. Fosse collapsed while walking from his hotel to the theater and was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital. source: washingtonpost.com
24 Sep 1987 Matthew Connolly: English footballer: Matthew Thomas Martin Connolly, born on September 24, 1987, in Barnet, England, is a retired English professional footballer who played as a defender. He began his career at Arsenal, making his first-team debut in October 2006. Over the years, Connolly played for several clubs, including AFC Bournemouth, Colchester United, Queens Park Rangers, Reading, Cardiff City, and Watford. He won the Football League Championship three times, with QPR in 2011, Reading in 2012, and Cardiff City in 2013. Connolly retired from professional football in 2020. source: bbc.com
25 Sep 1987 Second military coup in Fiji led by Sitiveni Rabuka: On September 25, 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka led a second military coup in Fiji, overthrowing the caretaker government of Governor-General Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau. This action followed the Deuba Accord, which aimed to establish a government of national unity. Rabuka's coup resulted in the suspension of the 1970 constitution and the declaration of Fiji as a republic on October 10, 1987. source: upi.com
26 Sep 1987 Benito Santiago extends rookie hitting streak to 28 games: On September 26, 1987, San Diego Padres catcher Benito Santiago set a major league record for rookies by hitting safely in his 28th consecutive game, surpassing the previous mark of 27 set in 1943 by Guy Curtright. Santiago's streak would eventually reach 34 games, the longest ever by a Major League rookie and catcher. source: mlb.com
27 Sep 1987 Phil Niekro's final MLB game on September 27, 1987: Phil Niekro, at 48, made his final Major League Baseball appearance on September 27, 1987, pitching for the Atlanta Braves against the San Francisco Giants. In three innings, he allowed five runs on six hits, with the Braves losing 15-6. Niekro had been released by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier that season and returned to the Braves, the team he spent his first 19 major league seasons with. source: mlb.com
28 Sep 1987 The First Intifada begins in the Palestinian territories: The First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation, began on September 28, 1987. Triggered by a traffic incident involving an Israeli military vehicle and a Palestinian, it escalated into widespread protests and violence. The Intifada lasted until the early 1990s and significantly impacted Israeli-Palestinian relations. source: britannica.com
29 Sep 1987 Don Mattingly sets MLB record with sixth grand slam of the season: On September 29, 1987, New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly hit his sixth grand slam of the season, setting a Major League Baseball record. This grand slam, a three-run home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Bruce Hurst, contributed to the Yankees' 6-0 victory. Mattingly's six grand slams that season were the only ones of his career and matched the team record for grand slams in a season, previously set by the 1938 Detroit Tigers. source: mlb.com
30 Sep 1987 Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night concert filmed at Cocoanut Grove: On September 30, 1987, Roy Orbison, along with special guests including Bruce Springsteen, k.d. lang, and others, performed at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles. The concert was filmed in black and white and later broadcast as "Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night" in January 1988. It was also released as a live album in 1989. source: en.wikipedia.org