What happened in November 1984?
The top front-page story of each day in November 1984, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Nov 1🕊️ Indira Gandhi Assassinated – Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated, leading to widespread grief and unrest across the nation.
- Nov 2🔬 China Reserves Shuttle Space – NASA announced that the Government of China has reserved space on a U.S. shuttle flight for satellite launching services.
- Nov 3📸 Stalin's Daughter Returns – Svetlana Alliluyeva, Stalin's daughter, returned to the Soviet Union after 17 years in the West, regaining her citizenship.
- Nov 4🌍 Ethiopia Relief Efforts – Bustle in Ethiopia as planes deliver food and supplies to millions facing starvation amid a severe drought.
- Nov 5🌍 French Nuclear Test – France detonated an underground nuclear device at Mururoa Atoll, sparking international concern over nuclear testing.
- Nov 6🗳️ Election Day Results – President Reagan projected to win re-election as polls close in key states, marking a significant moment in U.S. political history.
- Nov 7🚀 Space Shuttle Launch – The space shuttle Discovery is set for an eight-day mission to deliver and retrieve satellites in the first space salvage operation.
- Nov 8🗳️ Reagan's Landslide Victory – President Reagan won the election with 59% of the popular vote and 525 electoral votes, marking a historic electoral success.
- Nov 9🚀 Space Shuttle Launch – The space shuttle Discovery launched today on an eight-day mission to deploy two satellites and retrieve two others in a historic salvage operation.
- Nov 10🚀 French Rocket Launched – A French Ariane rocket successfully launched two communications satellites into orbit for the European Space Agency.
- Nov 11🦠 Influenza Season Prep – Dr. Edwin D. Kilbourne prepares for the influenza season, surrounded by research on the virus that can incapacitate millions.
- Nov 12🚀 Discovery Nears Satellite – The space shuttle Discovery approached an errant satellite, preparing for a complex retrieval operation for return to Earth.
- Nov 13🚀 Astronauts Snare Satellite – Two space-walking astronauts successfully captured a satellite in orbit, marking a significant achievement for the space shuttle Discovery.
- Nov 14🌍 U.S.-Japan Whaling Accord – An agreement was reached for Japan to end all whaling by 1988, announced by U.S. Commerce Secretary Malcolm Baldrige.
- Nov 15📷 Modigliani Work Sold – Amedeo Modigliani's 'Dreamer' sold for a record price at Sotheby's, attracting intense bidding from American collectors.
- Nov 16🔬 New Reproduction Techniques – Innovative reproductive methods challenge traditional notions of parenthood, introducing multiple parties in child creation.
- Nov 17🚀 Shuttle Triumphs in Space – The space shuttle Discovery successfully completed its mission, landing after salvaging two satellites, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Nov 18🇺🇸 U.S. Delegation in Taiwan – A U.S. Congressional delegation arrived in Taiwan for talks, assuring continued friendship during Reagan's second term.
- Nov 19🌊 250 Dead in India Floods – Floods in southern India have killed over 250 people, with 200 villages still submerged following a recent hurricane.
- Nov 20🌒 Total Solar Eclipse – A total solar eclipse is set to occur across the South Pacific, with expeditions preparing to observe it from New Guinea.
- Nov 21🚀 NASA Opens Space – NASA announced a new policy to accelerate commercial use of space, marking a significant step in the American space program.
- Nov 22🕊️ Soviet Rabbi Invitation – The Chief Rabbi of France, Rene Samuel Sirat, was invited to visit the Soviet Union by the Soviet Chief Rabbis with official approval.
- Nov 23🎻 Stradivarius Sold – A Stradivarius violin sold for a record $491,040 at an auction in London, highlighting the enduring value of rare musical instruments.
- Nov 24🌍 Strong Earthquake Hits – A strong earthquake jolted central California and western Nevada, causing rock slides and minor damage, but no immediate reports of injuries.
- Nov 25🔬 World Lift Mark Set – Naim Suleymanov of Bulgaria set a world record by lifting 314 pounds in the 132-pound category at an international weight lifting competition.
- Nov 26❤️ Surgeons Implant Heart Pump – A surgical team replaced a diseased heart with a mechanical pump in a 52-year-old man, marking a significant medical achievement.
- Nov 27🦇 Bats Myths Uncovered – Scientists reveal bats are more sophisticated and benign than previously believed, dispelling long-held myths about these flying mammals.
- Nov 28❤️ Artificial Heart Success – William J. Schroeder, the second recipient of a permanent artificial heart, requests a beer, indicating his recovery is going well.
- Nov 29🏛️ Empire State Building Lights – The Empire State Building was illuminated in gold last night, showcasing a new lighting system for the iconic structure.
- Nov 30🌍 Chile-Argentina Treaty Signed – Chile and Argentina signed a Vatican-mediated treaty, resolving their dispute over the Beagle Channel in Tierra del Fuego.
Happy Birthday! 1984 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1984 in real headlines. See the 1984 book →
Born in November? Pick the day
Every birthday in November has its own On This Day in Headlines book: