May 09
Today In History

Historical Events in 1987

1987 Verna Williamson was elected as the first female governor of the Isleta Pueblo tribe.

1987 Varig Flight 797 crashes near Akouré, Ivory Coast, resulting in 50 deaths.

1987 The Maryland train collision kills 16 people when an Amtrak train collides with Conrail engines.

1987 Tragedy struck in the Philippines as security forces opened fire on a massive crowd of demonstrators at Malacañang Palace in Manila, resulting in the tragic loss of 13 lives and igniting further unrest in the nation.

1987 A chilling "letter of death" is sent by Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan to Somali President Siad Barre, proposing the genocide of the Isaaq people, marking a dark chapter in the region's history.

1987 Civil rights activism takes center stage as around 20,000 protestors march in Forsyth County, Georgia, demanding justice and equality.

1987 Following the 1986 People Power Revolution, the Philippines enacts a new constitution, reshaping the nation's political framework.

1987 Supernova 1987a is seen in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

1987 A tragic chapter unfolded as Taiwanese military forces massacred 19 unarmed Vietnamese refugees at Donggang, Lieyu, Kinmen, in what became known as the Lieyu massacre, a somber incident in the region's history.

1987 Chrysler made a significant corporate move by announcing its acquisition of American Motors Corporation, altering the landscape of the automotive industry.

1987 The approval of the anti-AIDS drug AZT by the Food and Drug Administration offered hope in the fight against a devastating pandemic.

1987 The resignation of Los Angeles Dodgers executive Al Campanis in 1987, following controversy over racist remarks on Nightline, underscored the importance of confronting prejudice in sports.

1987 Behind closed doors, the London Agreement is discreetly signed between Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Shimon Peres and King Hussein of Jordan, marking a significant diplomatic development in the Middle East.

1987 Television history is made as "The Simpsons" make their inaugural appearance as a series of shorts on "The Tracey Ullman Show," beginning with the iconic short titled "Good Night."

1987 The car bomb detonation in Colombo, blamed on the Tamil Tigers, serves as a grim reminder of the devastating impact of terrorism on innocent lives.

1987 Austrian President Kurt Waldheim, facing accusations of wartime involvement, faces a historical ban from entering the United States by the U.S. Department of Justice, underlining the importance of accountability for wartime actions.

1987 The thunderous roar of engines at the Talladega Superspeedway is marred by a horrifying crash as Bobby Allison's car shatters the fencing at the start-finish line, prompting NASCAR to devise the restrictor plate for the subsequent season, forever altering the dynamics of high-speed racing.

1987 A harrowing ambush unfolded in Loughgall, Northern Ireland, as the SAS engaged and killed eight Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers and a civilian. This encounter left a lasting impact on the region's troubled history.

1987 Fiji experienced political turmoil on May 14, 1987, when Fijian Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra was ousted from power in a coup d'état led by Lieutenant colonel Sitiveni Rabuka.

1987 Events in Iran on this date remain specific to your context.

1987 The Hashimpura massacre unfolded in Meerut, India, a tragic event that left a deep impact on the nation's social and legal fabric.

1987 The first-ever Rugby World Cup commenced with New Zealand facing Italy at Auckland's Eden Park, marking a historic moment in the world of sports.

1987 In a remarkable feat on May 28, 1987, 18-year-old West German pilot Mathias Rust evaded Soviet Union air defenses and landed a private plane in Moscow's Red Square, a bold act during the Cold War.

1987 New Zealand's establishment of a national nuclear-free zone under the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act 1987, contributed to global anti-nuclear efforts.

1987 Great Britain makes history as Diane Abbott, Paul Boateng, and Bernie Grant are elected as the first black Members of Parliament (MPs). This historic achievement signifies a significant step towards greater representation and diversity in the British political landscape.

1987 The 1987 sentencing of former Central African Republic emperor Jean-Bédel Bokassa to death for crimes committed during his 13-year rule marked a significant moment in the nation's history and a step toward justice and accountability.

1987 During the Cold War in 1987, U.S. President Ronald Reagan made a historic challenge at the Brandenburg Gate, publicly urging Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the quest for unity and peace.

1987 In 1987, the dusky seaside sparrow sadly became extinct with the death of the last individual of the species, marking a somber moment in the history of biodiversity.

1987 Basque separatist group ETA carried out one of its most violent attacks, detonating a bomb in a supermarket, Hipercor, resulting in 21 fatalities and 45 injuries.

1987 In a grim chapter of warfare, Iraqi warplanes bombed the Iranian town of Sardasht, marking the first instance in military history where a civilian population was intentionally targeted for chemical attack, a stark reminder of the horrors of chemical warfare.

1987 Art enthusiasts witness history as Vincent van Gogh's masterpiece, "Le Pont de Trinquetaille," fetches an astounding $20.4 million at a London auction, highlighting the enduring allure of his work.

1987 The American radio station WFAN in New York City was launched in 1987 as the world's first all-sports radio station. This marked a significant moment in sports broadcasting, offering a dedicated platform for sports enthusiasts.

1987 Justice was served as former Gestapo chief Klaus Barbie, infamously known as the "Butcher of Lyon," was convicted of crimes against humanity in France and sentenced to life imprisonment.

1987 Sri Lankan Civil War: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) employed suicide attacks for the first time against the Sri Lankan Army, marking the birth of the Black Tigers and a deadly new tactic in the conflict.

1987 The 1987 collision of the US supertanker SS Bridgeton with mines laid by the IRGC caused a significant dent in the tanker's body and heightened tensions in the Gulf.

1987 At 91 years old, Hulda Crooks achieved the extraordinary feat of climbing Mt. Fuji in 1987, becoming the oldest person to conquer Japan's highest peak.

1987 A historic moment in cross-channel connectivity unfolds as British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President of France François Mitterrand sign an agreement to build the transformative Eurotunnel, linking the United Kingdom and continental Europe beneath the English Channel.

1987 In a momentous step toward reconciliation, Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and President of Sri Lanka J. R. Jayewardene sign the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, marking a significant turning point in the resolution of ethnic issues.

1987 Edmonton, Alberta, experienced a devastating natural disaster as a tornado struck, claiming the lives of 27 people and leaving a lasting impact on the community.

1987 The Federal Communications Commission takes a significant step as it rescinds the Fairness Doctrine, altering the landscape of radio and television broadcasting by revising how controversial issues are presented.

1987 Lynne Cox's incredible swim across the Bering Strait from Little Diomede Island in Alaska to Big Diomede in the Soviet Union during the Cold War era was a remarkable display of endurance and diplomacy.

1987 Tragedy strikes as Northwest Airlines Flight 255, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, crashes shortly after takeoff in Detroit, Michigan, resulting in the loss of 154 lives aboard the aircraft and two on the ground.

1987 The tranquil town of Hungerford, United Kingdom, becomes the site of horror as Michael Ryan perpetrates the Hungerford massacre, claiming the lives of sixteen individuals before taking his own life.

1987 Tragedy strikes as 33 individuals linked to a religious cult are found dead in the attic of a cafeteria in Yongin, South Korea, in a murder-suicide pact.

1987 Thai Airways Flight 365's crash into the ocean near Ko Phuket, Thailand, results in the tragic loss of all 83 individuals aboard, raising questions about aviation safety measures.

1987 The trial of pilot Mathias Rust commenced in Moscow, following his daring flight into Red Square in a Cessna airplane earlier in the year, capturing global attention.

1987 : In a coup d'état in Burundi, Major Pierre Buyoya deposed President Jean-Baptiste Bagaza. This political upheaval reshaped the nation's leadership and set the stage for a complex period in Burundian history.

1987 A tale of caution emerged from Goiânia, Brazil, on September 13, 1987, as a radioactive object was stolen from an abandoned hospital. The aftermath of this theft led to the contamination of many people in the following weeks, resulting in radiation poisoning and tragic consequences. This event sparked global discussions on nuclear safety and security.

1987 A monumental milestone in international transportation is achieved as the railway connecting the People's Republic of China and Kazakhstan is completed at Dostyk, bolstering the Eurasian Land Bridge concept.

1987 In 1987, Fijian Governor-General Penaia Ganilau was overthrown in a coup d'état led by Lieutenant Colonel Sitiveni Rabuka, reshaping the nation's leadership.

1987 The Whittier Narrows earthquake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, shakes the San Gabriel Valley in California, resulting in tragedy and underscoring the region's vulnerability to seismic activity.

1987 Fiji embarked on a new chapter in its history by becoming a republic, a significant milestone in its journey towards self-governance.

1987 Sikh nationalists declare Khalistan's independence from India, setting in motion a struggle for recognition and self-determination.

1987 A significant shift occurs in Fiji's political landscape as the nation transitions to a republic.

1987 The AIDS Memorial Quilt's inaugural display during the Second National March on Washington honors those affected by the epidemic.

1987 Operation Pawan begins as Indian forces intervene in Sri Lanka, a complex conflict leading to the loss of thousands of lives.

1987 Tragedy strikes when Aero Trasporti Italiani Flight 460 crashes near Conca di Crezzo, Italy, claiming the lives of all 37 passengers on board.

1987 A coup d'état unfolds in Burkina Faso, leading to the overthrow and demise of President Thomas Sankara, reshaping the nation's political landscape.

1987 Operation Nimble Archer, a U.S. Navy attack on Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf, reflects heightened tensions and military actions in the region.

1987 Black Monday witnesses a historic 22% drop, equivalent to 508 points, in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, causing significant financial repercussions.

1987 Tragedy unfolds in Sri Lanka as the Jaffna hospital massacre occurs, resulting in the loss of 70 Tamil patients, doctors, and nurses at the hands of Indian peacekeeping forces.

1987 John Adams' opera "Nixon in China" takes the stage for the first time, captivating audiences with its unique perspective on historic events.

1987 British Rail Class 43 (HST) set a remarkable speed record for rail vehicles, reaching a breathtaking 238 km/h while utilizing on-board fuel for electricity generation, pushing the boundaries of rail travel.

1987 In Tunisia, President Habib Bourguiba was overthrown on November 7, 1987, and replaced by Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, marking a significant political change in the country.

1987 Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system officially opened for passenger service on November 7, 1987, enhancing the city-state's public transportation infrastructure.

1987 The Remembrance Day bombing witnessed a Provisional IRA bomb explosion in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, during a ceremony honoring those who had died in wars involving British forces. This horrifying attack resulted in significant casualties.

1987 In Brașov, Romania, workers rebelled against the communist regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu, marking a significant moment in the late 1980s when Eastern Europe witnessed a wave of dissent and change.

1987 The King's Cross fire in London claims 31 lives and prompts safety improvements in the city's underground transportation system.

1987 Typhoon Nina unleashes its fury upon the Philippines, with category 5 winds reaching 265 km/h (165 mph) and a surge that devastates entire villages. The storm's ferocity results in a tragic toll of at least 1,036 lives lost.

1987 South African Airways Flight 295 meets a tragic end as it crashes into the Indian Ocean, resulting in the loss of all 159 individuals on board, a somber moment in the history of aviation and South Africa.

1987 North Korean agents plant a fatal bomb on Korean Air Flight 858, resulting in the tragic loss of all 115 passengers and crew members, casting a shadow over international relations and air travel security.

1987 Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 1771, a British Aerospace 146-200A, crashes near Paso Robles, California, resulting in the loss of all 43 lives on board. The tragedy unfolds as a disgruntled passenger takes a devastating turn of events.

1987 The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty's signing by President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev advances Cold War disarmament.

1987 An Israeli tank transporter's accident at the Erez Crossing sparks tragedy, claiming Palestinian lives amid regional tensions.

1987 Israeli history during this period.

1987 In the darkest hour of peacetime, the passenger ferry Doña Paz collides with the oil tanker MT Vector, plunging into the depths of the Tablas Strait, claiming the lives of thousands.

1987 A landmark agreement in Zimbabwe as political parties ZANU and ZAPU put an end to the violence in the Matabeleland region, a significant step towards national reconciliation.

1987 South African politics took an unexpected turn in 1987 when Prime Minister Stella Sigcau was ousted from power in a bloodless military coup led by General Bantu Holomisa, altering the course of Transkei's history.

1987 Justice Mary Gaudron makes history by becoming the first woman appointed to the High Court of Australia, shattering gender barriers and paving the way for future female jurists.

1987 Iran

1987 The British ferry MS Herald of Free Enterprise capsizes in a mere 90 seconds, resulting in a tragic loss of 193 lives and prompting extensive safety reforms in the maritime industry.

1987 LOT Flight 5055 Tadeusz Kościuszko crashes after takeoff in Warsaw, Poland, resulting in the tragic loss of all 183 on board.

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