What happened in September 1984?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1984, 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🚀 Shuttle Crew Launches Satellite – The crew of the space shuttle Discovery successfully launched a communications satellite and began operating a new drug-processing machine.
- Sep 2☀️ Solar Car Crosses Country – The first solar-powered vehicle has successfully completed a cross-country trip from California to Florida.
- Sep 3🔬 Solar Array Tests – Discovery crew conducted tests on the stability of its solar power array, ensuring functionality for future missions.
- Sep 4🌪️ Typhoon Devastates Philippines – A typhoon struck the southern Philippines, causing at least 380 deaths and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
- Sep 5🚀 Robot Arm Clears Ice – The space shuttle Discovery's crew used a robotic arm to remove ice from the craft, ensuring mission success.
- Sep 6🚀 Shuttle Discovery Lands – The space shuttle Discovery successfully completed its six-day maiden flight, landing smoothly on a dry lakebed runway.
- Sep 7🔬 Diabetes Cure for Dogs – Researchers developed a method to cure diabetes in dogs by purifying insulin-producing cells for injection into the liver.
- Sep 8🏛️ Statue of Liberty Refurbished – The Statue of Liberty is undergoing a major refurbishment ahead of its centennial celebration in 1986, surrounded by scaffolding.
- Sep 9🌊 Artificial Seaweed Project – An experimental program using artificial seaweed to prevent beach erosion is set to begin off Fire Island Pines, addressing severe coastline damage.
- Sep 10🌋 Papua New Guinea Volcano – Villagers near Mount Ulawun were evacuated as the volcano began to erupt, with scientists predicting further activity.
- Sep 11🔬 Diamond Melting Documented – Researchers at Cornell University documented the first melting of diamond, the hardest known material, marking a significant scientific breakthrough.
- Sep 12🌪️ Hurricane Diana Hits – Hurricane Diana struck the North Carolina coast with winds exceeding 135 mph, causing significant tidal surges and heavy rainfall.
- Sep 13🌪️ Hurricane Diana Hits – Hurricane Diana made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina, with winds reaching 110 mph, causing significant damage and disruption.
- Sep 14🏆 Canada Upsets Soviet – Team Canada defeated the Soviet Union 3-2 in overtime during the Canada Cup semifinals, marking a significant upset in ice hockey.
- Sep 15🎻 Mehta to Perform in India – Zubin Mehta announced plans to bring the Israeli Philharmonic to India if the government permits the performance.
- Sep 16👶 Princess Birth Announcement – The Princess of Wales gave birth to her second son, who is now third in line for the British throne after his father and brother.
- Sep 17🏦 World Bank Celebration – Moncatta & Goldsmid prepares to celebrate its 300th anniversary at a joint meeting of the World Bank and IMF in Washington.
- Sep 18🎈 Balloonist Crosses Atlantic – An American completed the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic, marking a significant aviation milestone.
- Sep 19🌌 Star Photographed Flashes – Astronomers captured an image of a star flashing 20 times a second in the Large Magellanic Cloud, revealing its nebula of hot gas.
- Sep 20🇭🇰 Hong Kong Accord – China and Britain announced a draft agreement to transfer Hong Kong from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.
- Sep 21🌍 Soviet Reactor Inspections – The Soviet Union announced it would allow international inspections of its civilian nuclear reactors to strengthen trust between nations.
- Sep 22🌍 Brunei Joins UN – Brunei Darussalam became the 159th member of the United Nations, marking a significant milestone for the newly independent nation.
- Sep 23🎈 Kittinger's Balloon Record – Joe Kittinger completed the longest solo balloon flight, crossing the Atlantic from Maine to Italy, setting a new record.
- Sep 24🌋 Volcano Erupts in Philippines – Mount Mayon erupted, forcing 50,000 residents to flee their homes as disaster relief officials responded to the crisis.
- Sep 25🌍 Zoo Returns Rare Monkey – Researchers returned 14 golden lion tamarins to their native forest home in Brazil, marking a significant conservation effort.
- Sep 26🌍 Hong Kong Accord Signed – Britain and China initialed a draft agreement to return Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, ending over 140 years of British rule.
- Sep 27🌍 Chinese-British Accord – China and Britain initialed a draft agreement ensuring life in Hong Kong remains unchanged after its 1997 reversion to Chinese rule.
- Sep 28🚀 NASA Space Station Bid – General Dynamics and Grumman bid for a prime contractor role in NASA's space station program, focusing on laboratory outfitting.
- Sep 29📜 Magna Carta Purchase – H. Ross Perot purchased a 1297 copy of the Magna Carta for $1.5 million, highlighting its historical significance.
- Sep 30🏟️ Ueberroth Takes Baseball Helm – Peter Ueberroth, fresh from a successful Olympics, becomes the new commissioner of baseball, promising to implement his vision.
Happy Birthday! 1984 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1984 in real headlines. See the 1984 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: