What happened in December 1982?
The top front-page story of each day in December 1982, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Dec 1🌩️ Storms Cause Casualties – A storm with 80 mph winds killed at least 10 people in California and caused a chemical storage tank explosion, leading to mass evacuations.
- Dec 2❤️ Artificial Heart Implant – A retired dentist underwent surgery for the first transplant of a permanent artificial heart in Salt Lake City.
- Dec 3❤️ First Artificial Heart – Surgeons implanted the first permanent artificial heart in a patient, marking a significant medical breakthrough in cardiac care.
- Dec 4❤️ Artificial Heart Success – Dr. Barney B. Clark's artificial heart has dramatically improved his condition, beating 200,000 times since implantation.
- Dec 5❤️ Artificial Heart Surgery – Dr. Barney B. Clark becomes the first recipient of a permanent artificial heart in a historic surgery at Utah Medical Center.
- Dec 6❤️ Artificial Heart Progress – Dr. Barney B. Clark, recipient of the first permanent artificial heart, experienced a smooth recovery, marking a significant milestone in medical technology.
- Dec 7🔬 Particle Search Halted – CERN's efforts to produce particles related to the weak force were suspended without any findings announced.
- Dec 8🛰️ Long Space Mission Ending – Two Soviet astronauts prepare to return to Earth after setting a new space endurance record, as reported by Tass.
- Dec 9🌍 Bahamas Ratifies Rio Treaty – The Bahamas ratified the InterAmerican Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance, a key hemispheric security agreement.
- Dec 10🛰️ Soviet Astronauts Return – Soviet astronauts Anatoly Berezovoy and Valentin Lebedev return to Earth after a record flight of nearly seven months aboard the Salyut-7 orbital station.
- Dec 11🚀 Soviet Crew Returns – Soviet astronauts Anatoly Berezovoy and Valentin Lebedev returned safely after a record 211 days in orbit, as reported by Tass.
- Dec 12🌍 20,000 Evacuated After Blast – Over 20,000 people were evacuated following a chemical storage tank explosion at a Union Carbide plant in Louisiana.
- Dec 13🏔️ Super Ski Race – Peter Mueller led Switzerland to a sweep of the top five places in the first super-giant slalom race of the World Cup season.
- Dec 14🪐 Life on Jupiter's Moon – Scientists suggest that extraterrestrial life might exist in small 'oases' beneath Europa's icy surface.
- Dec 15🌍 Spain Ends Gibraltar Blockade – Spain lifted its blockade of Gibraltar, reuniting families after 13 years. The heavy gate opened to emotional scenes at midnight.
- Dec 16🌍 Brazil Secures IMF Credit – Brazil and the IMF agreed on a $4.5 billion credit to manage its foreign debt, contingent on continuing austerity measures.
- Dec 17🌍 UNICEF's Health Measures – UNICEF reports that adopting four low-cost health measures could save 20,000 children's lives daily in developing countries.
- Dec 18🎨 Six Paintings Donated – Yale University Art Gallery received six oil paintings by renowned artists from the estate of John Hay Whitney.
- Dec 19🌍 Yemen Earthquake Devastation – An earthquake in Yemen left over 3,000 dead and 400,000 homeless, causing widespread destruction in the region.
- Dec 20💔 Artificial Heart Progress – Dr. Barney B. Clark stood up for the first time since receiving an artificial heart on Dec. 2, marking a significant milestone in medical technology.
- Dec 21🔬 New Solar Collector – A solar energy converter that heats air with smoke has been tested, marking a significant advancement in renewable energy technology.
- Dec 22🔥 Venezuela Fire Disaster – A three-day fire at a power plant in Venezuela resulted in at least 129 deaths, injuring 500 and leaving 1,000 homeless.
- Dec 23🌊 Storm Causes Power Outages – Hurricane-force winds from a storm on the West Coast caused power failures for millions and closed the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Dec 24🎨 Star Gods Exhibition – An exhibition titled 'Star Gods of the Ancient Americas' opens at the American Museum of Natural History, showcasing ancient astronomical knowledge.
- Dec 25🕯️ Veterans Vigil Begins – Vietnam veterans start a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor the 1,421 veterans still missing in action.
- Dec 26🎨 Rauschenberg's Paperworks – Robert Rauschenberg collaborated with Chinese townspeople to create 70 sets of elaborate paperworks during his visit to China.
- Dec 27🏙️ Iron Gates Removed – Chicago Mayor Jane M. Byrne orders the removal of iron gates separating white and black communities on the South Side.
- Dec 28💔 Artificial Heart Progress – Dr. Barney B. Clark's artificial heart's performance is monitored continuously, showcasing advancements in medical technology.
- Dec 29🔬 Fusion Reactor Test – The Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor at Princeton successfully completed its first operational test, marking a significant step in nuclear fusion research.
- Dec 30🌍 Japan Planning Robots – Japan's government will develop 'Super Robots' for dangerous jobs, enhancing safety and efficiency in various sectors.
- Dec 31🏙️ Metrodome Roof Collapse – The Metrodome's roof collapsed under the weight of ice and snow, prompting safety concerns and emergency responses.
Happy Birthday! 1982 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1982 in real headlines. See the 1982 book →
Born in December? Pick the day
Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book: