What happened in February 1985?
The top front-page story of each day in February 1985, 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🔬 Antibody Found for AIDS – Scientists identified an antibody that can inactivate the virus suspected of causing AIDS, marking a significant breakthrough in research.
- Feb 2🌍 Africa Fund Established – Thirteen donor nations and the World Bank pledged over a billion dollars to support African nations facing famine and economic collapse.
- Feb 3🌍 Landslides in China – Heavy rains in Shaanxi Province have caused landslides that killed 60 people and devastated farmland, as reported by China Daily.
- Feb 4🏔️ Swiss Skiers Triumph – Pirmin Zurbriggen and Michela Figini won the downhill races at the World Alpine Ski Championships.
- Feb 5🌍 Day of Peace – A vaccination campaign in El Salvador reached 227,000 children, providing a rare day of peace, as reported by President Jose Napoleon Duarte.
- Feb 6🌋 Hawaiian Volcano Silent – The Kilauea volcano in Hawaii has fallen silent, ending its latest eruptive phase, with winds carrying rock filaments over 25 miles.
- Feb 7🏔️ Roffe Wins Ski Gold – Diann Roffe, 17, becomes the first American woman to win gold in the World Alpine Championships, capturing the giant slalom.
- Feb 8🌍 Delayed Space Flight – The next space shuttle flight, with Senator Jake Garn aboard, is set for March 3, delayed by issues with thermal tiles.
- Feb 9🔬 New AIDS Drug Reported – French researchers reported a new drug that appears to inhibit the reproduction of the virus causing AIDS.
- Feb 10🌍 Accord on Climate Extended – The U.S. and Soviet Union signed a 10-year extension of a 1972 agreement for scientific cooperation on climate research.
- Feb 11🏅 Li Ning Wins Award – Li Ning, who won three gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics, was named China's best athlete of 1984 in a nationwide poll.
- Feb 12🔭 Giant Telescopes Possible – New techniques for making giant telescopes are developed, promising to open new vistas into the universe and enhance astronomical observations.
- Feb 13🔬 Nuclear Power License Approved – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted a full-power operating license for a nuclear plant in Rockford, Illinois, after extensive reviews.
- Feb 14🏛️ Statue Repair Advances – Innovations in technology aid the repair of the Statue of Liberty, showcasing modern methods in historical preservation.
- Feb 15🌍 U.S. Seeks Arab Clarity – The U.S. will ask Arab leaders about the Hussein-Arafat agreement's potential for Middle East peace negotiations.
- Feb 16💉 Third Artificial Heart – The artificial heart will be implanted in a third patient on Sunday, following two previous recipients, doctors announced.
- Feb 17🏰 Talleyrand's Lavish Castle – The chateau of Valençay, once home to Talleyrand, showcases Renaissance architecture and attracts visitors with its unique charm.
- Feb 18❤️ Artificial Heart Implant – A 58-year-old man became the third person to receive a permanent artificial heart in a successful operation.
- Feb 19🏛️ Amputee Athlete Triumphs – A 22-year-old athlete who lost a leg to cancer completed a coast-to-coast run, celebrating with champagne and a leap into the Pacific Ocean.
- Feb 20🎶 Ewing Scores 2,000 – Patrick Ewing becomes the second Georgetown player to score over 2,000 points, leading the Hoyas to a 70-46 victory over Pittsburgh.
- Feb 21🔬 Eclipse of Pluto – Astronomer reports the first observation of Pluto being eclipsed by its moon Charon, confirming the moon's existence.
- Feb 22🌨️ Severe Snowstorm Hits Armenia – A historic snowstorm in Armenia dumped waist-deep snow, disrupting transport and damaging infrastructure across the region.
- Feb 23🏈 Navy Defends 5th Season – The U.S. Naval Academy delays Napoleon McCallum's graduation to allow him a fifth football season, backed by Navy Secretary John F. Lehman Jr.
- Feb 24🌍 Israel Offers Talks – Israel proposed direct talks to King Hussein of Jordan, aiming for dialogue amid a new Middle East framework with the PLO.
- Feb 25🏀 Knicks Defeated by Lakers – The Lakers triumphed over the Knicks 119-114, showcasing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's enduring talent despite doubts about his performance.
- Feb 26🗳️ Pakistan Elections Held – Pakistanis voted in moderate numbers today in a parliamentary election, despite opposition calls for a nationwide boycott.
- Feb 27🌍 Artists for Famine Relief – Columbia Records will release 'We Are the World' on March 11, featuring 45 pop stars to raise funds for African famine relief.
- Feb 28🌫️ European Fog Crashes – Heavy fog caused chain-reaction crashes involving about 375 vehicles across Belgium, the Netherlands, and West Germany.
Happy Birthday! 1985 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1985 in real headlines. See the 1985 book →