What happened in February 1984?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1984, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Feb 1🌍 Egyptian Leader Visits Zaire – President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt begins a four-nation African tour to enhance Egypt's influence in the region.
- Feb 2🚀 Countdown for Shuttle – The countdown for the next space shuttle mission is proceeding smoothly, with favorable weather forecasts.
- Feb 3🚀 Challenger Shuttle Launch – The space shuttle Challenger is set for an eight-day mission, including critical tests for spacewalking astronauts.
- Feb 4🚀 Challenger Launches Satellite – The space shuttle Challenger launched today, deploying a communication satellite that later appeared to be lost in space.
- Feb 5🏅 Winter Olympics Begin – The 1984 Winter Olympics officially opened in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia, showcasing athletes from around the world in various winter sports.
- Feb 6🌋 Volcano Watch Continues – Scientists monitor Mount St. Helens for eruption signals after numerous small earthquakes indicate potential activity.
- Feb 7🚀 Astronauts Poised for Walk – Challenger astronauts prepare for a daring spacewalk, despite previous mission setbacks.
- Feb 8🏅 Astronauts Float Free – Two American astronauts flew free from the space shuttle Challenger, becoming the first human satellites in a stunning display of bravery.
- Feb 9🏅 Olympic Winter Games Begin – The XIV Olympic Winter Games opened today with vibrant ceremonies featuring thousands of performers in Lake Placid, New York.
- Feb 10🚀 Galileo Spacecraft Unveiled – NASA unveiled the Galileo spacecraft, set to explore Jupiter's atmosphere in 1986, promising insights into the solar system's origins.
- Feb 11🚀 Space Shuttle Lands – The Challenger astronauts are set to land at Cape Canaveral for the first time after an eight-day mission, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
- Feb 12🚀 Challenger Shuttle Lands – The space shuttle Challenger completed its mission with a perfect landing at its launching base, marking a significant achievement for NASA.
- Feb 13🏅 Carruthers Win Silver – Kitty and Peter Carruthers won the first medal for the U.S. at the XIV Olympic Winter Games, taking silver in pairs figure skating.
- Feb 14🏅 U.S. Wins Gold Medal – Debbie Armstrong won gold and Christin Cooper silver in women's giant slalom at the XIV Olympic Winter Games.
- Feb 15🏔️ Solo Climber McKinley – Naomi Uemura becomes the first person to climb Mount McKinley alone in winter but faces stormy weather on descent.
- Feb 16🏅 Torvill-Dean Gold – Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean win Olympic gold in ice dancing, receiving royal praise from Queen Elizabeth and Prime Minister Thatcher.
- Feb 17🏅 U.S. Wins Olympic Gold – Bill Johnson wins the gold medal in men's downhill skiing at the XIV Olympic Winter Games, marking a historic victory for the U.S.
- Feb 18❤️ Dual-Transplant Girl – Stormie Jones, the first girl to receive simultaneous heart and liver transplants, greeted her mother with love after surgery.
- Feb 19🌉 China's Longest Bridge – Construction begins on China's longest bridge, spanning 33,930 feet across the Yellow River, surpassing the Yangtze River bridge.
- Feb 20🏅 Mahre Twins Win Medals – Phil and Steve Mahre won gold and silver in the men's slalom at the XIV Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo, marking a triumphant end to the event.
- Feb 21🌍 Star May Cause Extinctions – Scientists suggest the sun's companion star may periodically send comets towards Earth, potentially causing mass extinctions.
- Feb 22🎹 Melville Brown Recital – Melville Brown's piano recital featured a skillful performance of Brahms' Sonata No. 3, showcasing his musical talent.
- Feb 23🏅 Olympian Again at 92 – A 92-year-old retired court clerk, silver medalist in the 1912 Olympics, will carry the Olympic torch to Los Angeles for the 1984 Summer Games.
- Feb 24🎉 Brunei Celebrates Independence – Brunei formally celebrated its independence from Britain with a grand ceremony attended by leaders from 70 countries.
- Feb 25🎾 U.S. Leads in Davis Cup – John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors led the U.S. to a 2-0 victory over Romania in the first round of the Davis Cup.
- Feb 26🏆 Weight Throw Record Set – Tore Johnsen of Texas-El Paso set a world indoor best mark in weight throw at 78 feet 7 inches during the Western Athletic Conference championships.
- Feb 27🎶 Rysanek Gala Concert – Leonie Rysanek's 25th anniversary gala at the Metropolitan Opera featured Wagner performances, ending with a jubilant audience reaction.
- Feb 28🌌 Spacecraft to Follow Comet – Astronomers plan a mission to intercept comet Kopff, flying close to it as it approaches the sun, marking a significant scientific endeavor.
- Feb 29🎨 Museum Acquires Collection – The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles announced the acquisition of 80 works of Abstract Expressionist and Pop Art for $11 million.
Happy Birthday! 1984 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1984 in real headlines. See the 1984 book →