What happened in August 1985?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1985, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1🔥 Forest Fires Rage – A firefighter was killed as major forest fires broke out in southern France, causing injuries to six others during firefighting efforts.
- Aug 2🔬 Challenger Shuttle Success – Challenger astronauts successfully released and retrieved a satellite using an electron gun, marking a significant scientific achievement.
- Aug 3✈️ Jetliner Crash Tragedy – A Delta Airlines jet with 161 aboard crashed during a storm at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, resulting in at least 122 fatalities.
- Aug 4🚀 Space Shuttle Extended – Challenger's mission extended by one day due to successful operation of its $72 million payload of telescopes and instruments.
- Aug 5🚀 Space Shuttle Experiment – Challenger's crew fired jets to create holes in the ionosphere, aiding radio telescopes in deeper space observation.
- Aug 6🩺 Reagan's Skin Cancer – President Reagan announced that skin cancer was detected in a lesion removed from his nose during a recent procedure.
- Aug 7🚀 Challenger Returns Safely – The space shuttle Challenger, which lost an engine during ascent, returned safely to Earth after a mission deemed 'superbly successful.'
- Aug 8🌍 Nuclear-Free Pacific Pact – Eight Pacific nations, including Australia and New Zealand, signed a treaty declaring the South Pacific a nuclear-free zone.
- Aug 9🌊 China Floods Kill 283 – Torrential rains in southern China have resulted in 283 deaths and left 14,000 homeless, raising the nationwide storm death toll to over 500.
- Aug 10🧬 Fertility Hormone Discovered – Scientists in California discovered a brain hormone that regulates fertility in humans, marking a significant breakthrough in reproductive health.
- Aug 11🎨 Edinburgh Festival Opens – The Edinburgh International Festival begins, showcasing a diverse array of artists and performances, including a Japanese 'Macbeth' and the Moscow State Circus.
- Aug 12🏆 High-Jump Record Set – Rudolf Povarnitsyn of the Soviet Union set a world record in the high jump, leaping 7 feet 10 1/2 inches.
- Aug 13✈️ Jetliner Crash in Japan – A Japan Air Lines jumbo jet with 524 aboard crashed in central Japan after the pilot reported losing control.
- Aug 14🏛️ Palace Discovery – Excavations in Greece reveal the largest royal palace ever found, believed to be the birthplace of Alexander the Great.
- Aug 15🌊 Floods in Ethiopia – Floods killed four people and left 7,000 homeless in Ethiopia this week, according to a government relief agency.
- Aug 16🌪️ Hurricane Hits Louisiana – A hurricane with 85 mph winds struck Louisiana, causing tornadoes and heavy rain, leading to the evacuation of up to 30,000 residents.
- Aug 17🌪️ Alabama Tornadoes Strike – Tornadoes from a hurricane's remnants hit north Alabama, killing one and injuring 20, causing significant damage to buildings.
- Aug 18📊 Social Security Celebration – A party marks 50 years of Social Security, highlighting its impact with $1,800 billion distributed to 115 million Americans.
- Aug 19🎉 Bicentennial Plans Unveiled – The Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution seeks funding and staff for upcoming celebrations, marking a significant national event.
- Aug 20🏰 Sheik's Mansion Razed – A controversial mansion owned by an Arab sheik was demolished today, celebrated by neighbors who toasted with champagne.
- Aug 21🏭 Space Factory Planned – A Houston company received approval to build the first commercial factory in space, expected to operate by 1989.
- Aug 22🏃 Slaney Sets Record – Mary Decker Slaney breaks the women's world record for the mile, showcasing her unbeaten outdoor season.
- Aug 23🚀 20th Shuttle Countdown – The countdown began for the 20th space shuttle mission, set for an eight-day flight to deploy communication satellites.
- Aug 24🚀 Space Shuttle Launch – Five American astronauts are set for the 20th flight of a space shuttle to deliver three satellites and revive another.
- Aug 25🌍 Earth from Above – An art initiative invites creative interpretations of how Earth appears from above, encouraging diverse artistic expressions.
- Aug 26🌊 Deer Returned to China – Rare deer, once thought extinct, returned to China after 120 years thanks to a joint effort by British and American benefactors.
- Aug 27🌌 New Supernova Discovered – Astronomers at Palomar Observatory found a distant supernova explosion of a previously unknown type, expanding the understanding of cosmic events.
- Aug 28🚀 Shuttle Launches Satellites – The space shuttle Discovery successfully launched two satellites into orbit, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Aug 29✈️ Air Disasters Overview – Multiple air disasters occurred, including an Air India explosion killing 329 and a Delta crash in Dallas with 133 fatalities.
- Aug 30🚀 Astronauts Launch Satellite – Astronauts launched the third communications satellite from the space shuttle Discovery and planned to repair another satellite.
- Aug 31🎭 Ballet Debut of Gil – Jean-Charles Gil will debut with the American Ballet Theater, dancing Albrecht in 'Giselle' on Sept. 10 and 15.
Happy Birthday! 1985 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1985 in real headlines. See the 1985 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: