What happened in September 1985?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1985, 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❤️ Artificial Heart Debate – Medical scientists debate the long-term effectiveness of the Jarvik-7 artificial heart after its use in patients.
- Sep 2🌪️ Hurricane Elena Intensifies – Hurricane Elena intensified dangerously, bearing down on the Gulf Coast with winds up to 125 mph, causing concerns for residents.
- Sep 3🚢 Titanic Wreckage Found – Researchers reported the discovery of the Titanic wreckage, located 12,000 feet below the surface south of Newfoundland.
- Sep 4🚀 Space Shuttle Lands – The space shuttle Discovery landed safely, completing what officials called a 'near-perfect mission' after a successful flight.
- Sep 5🌍 New Prime Minister Appointed – Egypt's Prime Minister Kamal Hassan Ali resigned, and President Hosni Mubarak appointed a leading economist to form a new government.
- Sep 6🛳️ Titanic Photos Discovered – Researchers returned with over 12,000 photos of the Titanic wreck, potentially revealing clues about its final hours.
- Sep 7🚀 Satellite Approaches Comet – An American spacecraft is set to fly through a comet's tail next week, marking the first probe of such a celestial body.
- Sep 8🌊 Hurricane Elena Disaster Aid – President Reagan declared Alabama's coastline a major disaster area after Hurricane Elena caused $100 million in damage.
- Sep 9🎾 Lendl Wins US Open – Ivan Lendl wins his first US Open title, defeating John McEnroe in a significant match that solidifies his status in tennis.
- Sep 10🚢 Titanic Researchers Celebrate – Researchers who discovered the Titanic were welcomed home by cheering crowds and airhorns at their port today.
- Sep 11🗽 Israel Frees Detainees – Israel released 119 Lebanese and Palestinian detainees, receiving a heroes' welcome upon their return to Lebanon.
- Sep 12🚀 Comet Encounter Success – The International Cometary Explorer successfully flew through the tail of a distant comet, marking humanity's first close encounter with a comet.
- Sep 13🚀 Rocket Destroyed After Launch – Engineers destroyed an Ariane rocket minutes after launch by the European Space Agency, witnessed by President Mitterrand.
- Sep 14🌍 Comet's Ice Core – Data from a spacecraft confirms comets are 'dirty snowballs,' suggesting they have a core of ice, enhancing our understanding of these celestial bodies.
- Sep 15🏛️ Reclaiming Versailles – A week of scholarship and spectacle begins at Versailles, featuring artists and politicians, including Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
- Sep 16🏆 Europe Wins Ryder Cup – Europe's professional golfers defeated the U.S. in the Ryder Cup for the first time in 28 years, with a score of 16 1/2-11 1/2.
- Sep 17🔭 Largest Telescope Planned – Construction begins for the world's largest telescope atop Mauna Kea, Hawaii, set to be completed in 1991 with advanced technology.
- Sep 18🚀 Soviet Astronauts Launch – Three Soviet astronauts were launched into space to join two others at the Salyut 7 space station, which had been revived after battery failures.
- Sep 19💻 Apple's Entrepreneurial Rise – Steven P. Jobs epitomized the American entrepreneur, symbolizing wealth and power in Silicon Valley through Apple Computer Inc.
- Sep 20🔬 Polio Virus Structure Deciphered – Scientists have determined the complete three-dimensional structure of the polio virus, aiding vaccine development.
- Sep 21♟️ Kasparov Draws Karpov – Gary Kasparov forced reigning champion Anatoly Karpov to a draw in the sixth game of their world chess championship match in Moscow.
- Sep 22🌍 Mexico Earthquake Devastation – A massive earthquake struck Mexico, causing widespread destruction in Mexico City and leaving thousands dead and injured.
- Sep 23🌍 Pope Appeals for Aid – Pope John Paul II called for global support to help victims of the devastating earthquakes in Mexico, urging compassion and assistance.
- Sep 24🌍 Mexico Earthquake Recovery – Mexico's capital begins recovery efforts after a devastating earthquake, facing challenges in rebuilding and restoring normalcy.
- Sep 25🌍 China Agrees Inspections – China agrees to allow international inspections of its nuclear plants, joining other nuclear powers in transparency efforts.
- Sep 26👶 Baby Found in Rubble – Rescue workers in Mexico City heard a baby's cry amidst the rubble of a collapsed hospital, bringing hope during the earthquake recovery efforts.
- Sep 27🔬 Protein Discovery – Harvard Medical School scientists discovered a human protein that stimulates blood vessel production, aiding medical research.
- Sep 28🌪️ Hurricane Gloria Strikes – Hurricane Gloria hit Long Island with 90 mph winds, causing significant damage and leading to evacuations and power outages.
- Sep 29🌍 Hurricane Gloria Cleanup – Cleanup from Hurricane Gloria's damage in New England may take weeks, with over 1.3 million residents still without power.
- Sep 30🌍 Free Trade Talks Begin – President Reagan's push for better access to foreign markets sparks controversy at international trade negotiations.
Happy Birthday! 1985 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1985 in real headlines. See the 1985 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: