What happened in August 1986?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1986, 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💻 New Version of AIDS Virus – Researchers at the National Cancer Institute created a new form of AIDS virus that appears harmless, aiding anti-AIDS vaccine development.
- Aug 2🌍 U.S. Wheat Sale Approved – President Reagan authorized the sale of subsidized wheat to the Soviet Union, resolving a policy dispute within his administration.
- Aug 3🏅 Joyner Sets Record – Jackie Joyner shatters the heptathlon world record, solidifying her status as the top competitor in the event.
- Aug 4🌊 New Ocean Hot Springs – Researchers discovered a new field of mineral-rich hot springs in the Pacific Ocean, 285 miles west of Washington-Oregon.
- Aug 5🔬 New Rabies Vaccine – French researchers developed a genetically engineered vaccine to combat rabies, a disease affecting many domestic animals and humans.
- Aug 6♟️ Kasparov Leads Chess Match – Gary Kasparov scored his first victory in the world chess championship against Anatoly Karpov, leading 2.5 to 1.5 points.
- Aug 7🦴 Ancient Skull Discovery – A 2.5-million-year-old skull found in Africa may alter the understanding of early human evolution, according to its discoverers.
- Aug 8🌊 Dirigible Wreckage Found – Marine researchers discovered the wreck of the Navy dirigible Akron, which sank in 1933 off New Jersey, killing 73 crew members.
- Aug 9🔬 Method for Blood Diseases – A new method for treating fatal blood diseases has been successfully demonstrated in sheep, as reported in the journal Science.
- Aug 10🎨 Art Conference in Washington – An international conference in Washington gathers 600 art scholars, highlighting the city's rising prominence in the art world.
- Aug 11🏀 Lieberman in Men's League – Nancy Lieberman becomes the first woman to play in a men's professional basketball league, earning admiration despite modest stats.
- Aug 12🔬 New Shuttle Rocket Design – NASA engineers have developed a new solid rocket engine design to prevent failures like the Challenger disaster.
- Aug 13🌍 NASA Rocket Design Chosen – NASA selects a new rocket design for the space shuttle, ensuring safety and continued use of existing rocket segments.
- Aug 14🦅 Oldest Bird Fossils – Fossils in Texas identified as the world's oldest known birds, supporting theories of bird evolution from dinosaurs.
- Aug 15🌍 Chernobyl Nuclear Chief Penalized – The Soviet Union expelled the head of its nuclear power industry following the Chernobyl disaster, marking a significant political shift.
- Aug 16🚀 NASA's New Orbiter – President Reagan announced plans for NASA to build a fourth space shuttle to replace the Challenger, marking a significant recovery effort in space exploration.
- Aug 17🔬 Fossils Link Birds, Dinosaurs – Paleontologists discover fossils suggesting a connection between birds and dinosaurs, reshaping understanding of evolution.
- Aug 18📊 Historic Tax Bill Passed – Congressional negotiators approved a sweeping tax revision bill aimed at reforming the U.S. tax system, expected to be enacted this fall.
- Aug 19🌍 Soviet Test Halt Extended – Mikhail Gorbachev announced the continuation of the Soviet Union's moratorium on underground nuclear testing until January 1.
- Aug 20🏛️ Discovery of Mayan Ruins – A University of Wisconsin archeologist reports finding undisturbed ruins of a small Mayan city on a banana plantation in Central America.
- Aug 21🐼 Panda's Birth Celebrated – The birth of a giant panda at a center run by China and the World Wildlife Fund marks a significant step in conservation efforts.
- Aug 22☢️ Chernobyl Disaster Impact – The Chernobyl disaster caused extensive radioactive contamination, affecting a wider area than previously reported, with long-term evacuation for residents.
- Aug 23🛰️ Nuclear Safety Pact – The U.S. and Soviet Union signed a nuclear safety and research protocol, allowing reciprocal inspections of atomic research stations.
- Aug 24🌍 Chernobyl Disaster Update – New reports reveal the Chernobyl disaster caused more radioactive contamination than previously acknowledged, affecting return for residents.
- Aug 25🔥 Fires in Cote d'Azur – Fires driven by high winds ravaged the Cote d'Azur, killing two and injuring about 100, forcing 2,000 to flee.
- Aug 26🔬 Seeing Atoms Clearly – Scientists have captured the first images of atoms and their bonds on solid surfaces, pushing the boundaries of human vision.
- Aug 27🌪️ Storms Kill 11 – Heavy rains from Hurricane Charley caused flooding in Britain and Ireland, with at least 11 fatalities reported due to the floodwaters.
- Aug 28🌋 International Aid Reaches Cameroon – International relief has begun flowing into Cameroon after an estimated 1,500 people died from a volcanic gas cloud.
- Aug 29🌋 Cameroon Gas Disaster – The situation in northern Cameroon, where 1,500 people died from volcanic gas, is reported to be stabilized.
- Aug 30🌍 Nuclear Safety Plan – Experts in Vienna outline a new international plan to improve safety at nuclear power plants amid concerns about its implementation.
- Aug 31⚾ Bo Jackson to Royals – Bo Jackson, Heisman Trophy winner, signs with the Kansas City Royals after a minor league stint, set to join the team as rosters expand.
Happy Birthday! 1986 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1986 in real headlines. See the 1986 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: