What happened in July 1987?
The top front-page story of each day in July 1987, 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🐘 Raja the Elephant – Raja, Asia's most celebrated elephant, was seen relaxing in a river, showcasing his playful nature.
- Jul 2🏗️ Nuclear Plant License Granted – The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted a full-power operating license for a costly nuclear reactor in upstate New York.
- Jul 3🎈 Hot-Air Balloon Record – Two adventurers began a 3,400-mile trans-Atlantic flight in a hot-air balloon, aiming to complete a journey no one has achieved before.
- Jul 4📜 New Light on 1787 – George Washington expressed pessimism about the contentious Constitutional Convention nearing its end, fearing it might dissolve without agreement.
- Jul 5🏛️ Papal Visit Fundraising – Catholic leaders across the U.S. are raising $20 million for Pope John Paul II's upcoming visit, hosting dinners and selling memorabilia.
- Jul 6🏔️ Everest Summit Achieved – A historic ascent to Mount Everest's summit by women marks a significant milestone in mountaineering history.
- Jul 7🦖 Dinosaur Egg Fossils Found – Scientists discovered nests of dinosaur eggs with unhatched fossils, marking the second such find globally.
- Jul 8🏅 Olympics in Seoul – The International Olympic Committee stated it would cancel the Seoul Olympics if political issues arise, prioritizing safety.
- Jul 9🏛️ Iran-Contra Hearing Drama – The Iran-Contra hearings captivated viewers, with Colonel North's testimony drawing significant public interest and media coverage.
- Jul 10⚾ Cleveland Indians Sweep – The Cleveland Indians swept the Kansas City Royals in a thrilling series, with George Brett praising the entertainment value for fans.
- Jul 11🏛️ North Testimony Book – Pocket Books will publish Lieut. Col. Oliver L. North's testimony in a mass-market paperback titled 'Taking the Stand' with a first printing of 500,000 copies.
- Jul 12👶 Five Billionth Baby – The UN celebrates the birth of Matej Gaspar, the five billionth human, marking a significant milestone in global population growth.
- Jul 13🚴 Tour de France Crash – Sean Kelly, a leading cyclist, quits the Tour de France after injuring his shoulder in a crash during the race.
- Jul 14🏺 Ancient Tomb Rescued – Emergency repairs were made to the tomb of Nefertari, Ramses II's wife, by an international team to preserve its flaking wall paintings.
- Jul 15⚾ Bo Jackson's Strikeouts – Bo Jackson is on track to break the major league record for strikeouts in a season, projected to hit 221 strikeouts.
- Jul 16🎶 Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony – The Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra performed Beethoven's 'Pastoral' Symphony for the first time at Avery Fisher Hall.
- Jul 17🌊 Flood Death Toll Rises – Rescue workers report at least 30 dead from a flash flood at a campsite in France, with fears the toll could exceed 35.
- Jul 18🏛️ Dow Posts Record Close – The Dow Jones industrial average closed above 2,500 for the first time, boosted by a rise in the dollar and strong earnings reports.
- Jul 19🌍 Bicentennial Treaty Celebration – The U.S. Postal Service and Morocco celebrate the bicentennial of a treaty marking 200 years of friendship between the two nations.
- Jul 20🌧️ Floods in Italy – Torrential rains caused floods and landslides in northern Italy, killing at least 14 people and isolating Alpine villages.
- Jul 21🔬 Significant Hormone Found – Scientists discovered a hormone that transfers calcium from bones to the bloodstream, aiding studies on cancer and osteoporosis.
- Jul 22🚀 Rocket Launches Mission – A space capsule carrying two Soviet astronauts and Syria's first space traveler rocketed into orbit from Soviet central Asia.
- Jul 23⚓ Titanic Treasure Hunt – A French expedition began diving at the Titanic wreck site to recover treasures, marking 75 years since the ship sank.
- Jul 24🔬 AIDS Commission Formed – President Reagan named 12 members to a national commission on AIDS, pledging to combat the disease like smallpox and polio.
- Jul 25☀️ Greek Heat Wave – Over 100 people have died in a severe heat wave in Greece, with hundreds hospitalized due to extreme temperatures.
- Jul 26🔬 Patenting Life – 'We've approved the patenting of plants in 1930, seeds in 1970, microbes in 1980, and now we're considering patenting animals.'
- Jul 27⚓ Titanic Artifacts Recovered – French explorers retrieved dishes from the Titanic wreckage, marking the first objects recovered from the sunken liner that sank 75 years ago.
- Jul 28🌌 U.S.-Soviet Space Cooperation – American scientists will study effects of zero gravity on animals aboard a Soviet satellite launching in September.
- Jul 29🗳️ House Passes Refugee Bill – The House passed a bill to suspend deportations of Salvadoran and Nicaraguan refugees for two years, affecting over 700,000 individuals.
- Jul 30🚀 Soviet Space Mission – The Soyuz spacecraft with Syria's first astronaut and two Soviets landed safely after a five-day visit to the Mir space station.
- Jul 31✈️ Cargo Plane Crash – A cargo plane crashed in Mexico City, killing at least 39 people and injuring 17 after hitting a restaurant on a busy highway.
Happy Birthday! 1987 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1987 in real headlines. See the 1987 book →
Born in July? Pick the day
Every birthday in July has its own On This Day in Headlines book: