What happened in July 1986?
The top front-page story of each day in July 1986, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jul 1🗽 Liberty Weekend Events – The Statue of Liberty centennial celebration is set to take place this weekend, with tickets still available for the events.
- Jul 2🗽 Liberty Fund Surpasses Goal – Lee Iacocca announced that the campaign to raise $265 million for the Statue of Liberty restoration exceeded its goal by $12 million.
- Jul 3🗽 Statue of Liberty Rededicated – The Statue of Liberty was rededicated during Liberty Weekend, celebrating its restoration and symbolizing freedom and hope.
- Jul 4🗽 Statue of Liberty Relit – President Reagan relit the Statue of Liberty's torch, marking its centennial as a symbol of hope and freedom for millions.
- Jul 5🗽 Liberty Weekend Celebration – The Statue of Liberty's centennial was celebrated with a grand parade and fireworks, marking a historic moment for America.
- Jul 6🗽 Statue of Liberty Reopens – The refurbished Statue of Liberty reopened to the public amid celebrations, including races and a festival in lower Manhattan.
- Jul 7🌋 Pope Prays for Victims – Pope John Paul II prayed for the victims of the Armero volcanic disaster, hoping for a new city to rise from the ashes of destruction.
- Jul 8🎉 Joyner Sets Heptathlon Record – Jackie Joyner set a world record in the heptathlon at the Goodwill Games, earning accolades for her outstanding performance.
- Jul 9🌍 Five Billionth Person Born – The five billionth person on Earth was born Monday, marking a significant milestone in global population growth.
- Jul 10🌪️ Typhoon Hits Luzon – A typhoon caused floods and landslides in Luzon, Philippines, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, including two children.
- Jul 11🏛️ Aquino Meets Reagan – Philippine President Corazon Aquino announced her upcoming meeting with President Reagan scheduled for September 17.
- Jul 12✈️ Trans World Airlines Deal – Trans World Airlines and Northwest Airlines reached an agreement for Northwest to acquire a 50% interest in T.W.A.'s reservation system.
- Jul 13🔬 Lasers Slow Atoms – Scientists at AT&T Bell Laboratories have successfully slowed free atoms to a crawl using laser light, enabling new research possibilities.
- Jul 14🌍 China Seeking GATT Membership – China has applied for membership in GATT, the leading global free-trade organization, joining major trade negotiations this year.
- Jul 15🚢 Titanic Submersible Dive – Dr. Robert D. Ballard and crew descend 13,000 feet to view Titanic wreckage, marking a significant exploration in underwater archaeology.
- Jul 16🚢 Titanic Robot Exploration – An undersea robot explored the Titanic wreck, providing the first view of its interior since the ship sank.
- Jul 17🚀 Soviet Astronauts Return – Two Soviet astronauts returned to Earth after a four-month mission, marking the first flight between two space stations.
- Jul 18🌍 Nuclear Test Detonated – A powerful nuclear weapon was detonated deep beneath the Nevada desert, marking the 14th announced test since a Soviet test ban began.
- Jul 19⚓ Titanic Safes Discovered – Researchers exploring the Titanic found several ship's safes but failed to open one with a remote-controlled claw.
- Jul 20🌋 Kilauea Erupts Again – The volcano Kilauea resumed its three-year-old eruption, sending a five-mile-long river of molten rock and closing a road in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Jul 21🌊 Atlantic Salmon Returns – For the first time in nearly 200 years, an Atlantic salmon has swum from Long Island Sound to Vermont's White River, aided by cleaner water.
- Jul 22🔬 Memorial Placed on Titanic – Scientists left a memorial plaque on the Titanic's stern, honoring the 1,513 passengers who died in 1912.
- Jul 23🌍 Soviet Mars Mission – The Soviet Union plans to explore Phobos, a Martian moon, using hopping craft in an ambitious space exploration project.
- Jul 24🌪️ Hurricane Damages Hawaii – A hurricane struck Hawaii Island, causing 20-foot waves and damaging homes, leading to the evacuation of about 200 residents.
- Jul 25🌍 PepsiCo Acquires KFC – PepsiCo announced its acquisition of Kentucky Fried Chicken for $850 million, enhancing its position in the fast-food industry.
- Jul 26🌍 Chernobyl Fallout Concerns – Public fears about nuclear safety have resurfaced following the Chernobyl disaster, as polls show rising concerns.
- Jul 27🔬 Vaccine Approved – The FDA approved the hepatitis B vaccine, marking a significant milestone in gene-splicing technology for human use.
- Jul 28🚴 LeMond Wins Tour – Greg LeMond became the first American to win the Tour de France since 1903, marking a historic achievement in cycling.
- Jul 29🌍 Ozone Layer Concerns – Scientists are alarmed by a widening hole in the ozone layer over the South Pole, raising environmental concerns globally.
- Jul 30🏛️ Senate Votes for TV Coverage – The U.S. Senate voted 78-21 to permanently allow television coverage of its proceedings, marking a significant step in transparency.
- Jul 31🌍 U.S.-Soviet Diplomacy – President Reagan's aides reveal a public face to secret diplomacy with the Soviet Union, reflecting hope for arms control agreements.
Happy Birthday! 1986 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1986 in real headlines. See the 1986 book →
Born in July? Pick the day
Every birthday in July has its own On This Day in Headlines book: