What happened in September 1983?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1983, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1🚀 Astronauts Launch Satellite – Challenger astronauts successfully launched a communications-weather satellite for India and received a call from President Reagan.
- Sep 2🔥 Train Fire in Brazil – A train derailment in Brazil led to a fire, killing 42 people and injuring hundreds as crowds attempted to collect fuel.
- Sep 3✈️ Korean Airliner Downed – A South Korean jetliner was shot down by a Soviet fighter, leading to global outrage and demands for accountability from the Soviet Union.
- Sep 4🌍 World Population Reaches 4.7B – The world's population increased by over 82 million in the past year, reaching 4.7 billion, according to the Census Bureau.
- Sep 5🚀 Successful Shuttle Mission – The space shuttle Challenger's mission was declared successful, marking it as the most trouble-free orbital journey by American astronauts.
- Sep 6🚀 Shuttle Night Landing – The space shuttle Challenger completed a successful mission with the first nighttime landing by a spaceship, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
- Sep 7🌍 Panda Conservation Fund – The World Wildlife Fund donated $200,000 to China's giant panda preservation project, raising total contributions to $2 million.
- Sep 8🌍 Earthquake Strikes Alaska – A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 struck south-central Alaska, causing minor damage in Anchorage but no reported injuries.
- Sep 9🔬 New NEC Chip – The NEC Corporation announced the upcoming launch of the world's first 64K dynamic RAM chip using a new semiconductor structure.
- Sep 10🚀 Shuttle Challenger Returns – The shuttle Challenger returned to Kennedy Space Center after a successful mission, preparing for its next flight in January.
- Sep 11🎾 Navratilova Wins US Open – Martina Navratilova claimed her first US Open title by defeating Chris Evert Lloyd 6-1, 6-3 in a match lasting just 63 minutes.
- Sep 12🌍 Seveso Dioxin Settlement – Seveso, Italy, agrees to a $7 million compensation for dioxin contamination from a factory disaster seven years prior.
- Sep 13🌍 Earthquake in Serbia – An earthquake in Serbia's Kopaonik region left 200 homeless and damaged 1,200 buildings, but no fatalities were reported.
- Sep 14🏛️ Gold Coin Minted – The U.S. minted its first gold coin in 50 years, marking a significant return to gold coinage during a ceremony led by Treasury Secretary Donald T. Regan.
- Sep 15🎨 Edinburgh Festival Opens – The Edinburgh International Festival celebrates its theme 'Vienna 1900,' showcasing top music, theater, and art in the city.
- Sep 16🎉 University of Texas Centennial – The University of Texas celebrated its 100th anniversary with a grand party featuring a convocation, marching bands, and a giant birthday cake.
- Sep 17📈 Stock Prices Surge – Stock prices rose sharply, driven by gains in blue-chip, transportation, and technology sectors.
- Sep 18🔬 First Synthetic Chromosome – Scientists report the creation of the first synthetic chromosome, marking a significant milestone in genetic research.
- Sep 19🌧️ Monsoon Flooding Kills – Nearly 400 people have died due to monsoon rains that submerged hundreds of villages across five Indian states this month.
- Sep 20🌍 St. Kitts-Nevis Independence – The world's newest nation, St. Kitts-Nevis, celebrated its first day of independence with foreign dignitaries, bands, and choirs.
- Sep 21🚀 Reagan Plans Press Conference – President Reagan is set to hold a nationally broadcast news conference next week, his first in two months, according to White House aides.
- Sep 22🚢 Australia II Wins – Australia II defeated Liberty by 1:47 in the fifth race of the America's Cup series, narrowing Liberty's lead to 3-2.
- Sep 23🌍 Australia II Ties Cup – Australia II tied the America's Cup series at 3-3 after trailing 1-3, marking a historic comeback in sailing.
- Sep 24🌍 St. Kitts-Nevis Joins U.N – The newly independent Caribbean state of St. Kitts-Nevis was admitted to the United Nations today as its 158th member.
- Sep 25⛵ CUP FINALE RESCHEDULED – The seventh race in the 25th America's Cup series between Australia II and Liberty was postponed due to insufficient wind.
- Sep 26🏛️ Louvre Reopens Sculpture Rooms – The Louvre Museum reopened its Roman sculpture rooms after 12 years of renovation, showcasing a priceless collection to the public.
- Sep 27⛵ America's Cup Victory – Australia II defeats Liberty, ending the U.S.'s 132-year reign in the America's Cup, marking a historic moment in sailing.
- Sep 28🏆 America's Cup Passed – Australia wins the America's Cup, ending the U.S. team's 132-year reign. The victory marks a significant moment in sailing history.
- Sep 29🔬 New Heart Drug Promising – An experimental drug shows significant promise for treating severe congestive heart failure, potentially replacing digitalis as standard care.
- Sep 30🏛️ First Woman Lord Mayor – London elected its first female Lord Mayor today, breaking an eight-century tradition.
Happy Birthday! 1983 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1983 in real headlines. See the 1983 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: