What happened in June 1987?
The top front-page story of each day in June 1987, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jun 1🎭 Olivier's 75th Anniversary – Celebrating 75 years since Laurence Olivier's first performance as a child actor, marking a significant milestone in theater history.
- Jun 2🌍 Amazon Expedition Probes – Scientists began an ambitious expedition over the Amazon, investigating the forest's role in the global atmosphere.
- Jun 3🏞️ Lake Becomes State Park – Governor Cuomo accepted the deed for Lake Minnewaska, marking the end of a 17-year struggle to incorporate it into the state park system.
- Jun 4🌍 Canada Signs Federal Pact – Canada's national and provincial leaders signed an accord to end Quebec's boycott of the Constitution, marking a significant political milestone.
- Jun 5🎨 Stubbs Painting Sold – George Stubbs's painting ''Baron de Robeck Riding a Bay Cob'' sold for $2.42 million at Sotheby's, setting a record for a sporting picture.
- Jun 6🕊️ Pope's Peace Prayer – Pope John Paul II conducted a 'Prayer for World Peace' broadcast to over 150 countries, uniting worshipers globally.
- Jun 7🎾 Graf Tops Navratilova – Seventeen-year-old Steffi Graf won her first Grand Slam title by defeating Martina Navratilova in the French Open final.
- Jun 8🔬 Genetic Engineering Milestone – Genetic engineering reaches a significant milestone, marking a powerful advancement in biological manipulation tools.
- Jun 9🌍 Molten Sea Discovered – Scientists report a long unexplored ocean of molten iron beneath Earth's surface, revealing new geological insights.
- Jun 10🌾 Winter Wheat Crop Up – U.S. winter wheat production is estimated at 1.58 billion bushels, a 4% increase from last year, with improved yields reported.
- Jun 11🌾 Soviet Grain Outlook – The Soviet Union is expected to have a bumper grain harvest of 195 million metric tons despite late spring planting delays.
- Jun 12🏛️ Thatcher Wins Election – Margaret Thatcher claimed victory in the British general election, marking her third consecutive term as Prime Minister.
- Jun 13✈️ Boeing 737 No. 1 – At the Paris Air Show, Boeing announced new orders, making the 737 the best-selling plane in aviation history.
- Jun 14🌍 Soviet Solar Satellites – The Soviet Union plans to build satellites that convert solar energy into electricity for Earth, aiming to address energy needs.
- Jun 15🏦 Bond Yields Lowest – Bond yields have fallen to their lowest levels since late April, reviving hopes that the recent rate increase was an anomaly.
- Jun 16🌋 Guatemalan Volcano Erupts – The Pacaya volcano erupted, spewing lava and ash, prompting the evacuation of nearby Caracol town with a population of about 600.
- Jun 17🐒 Monkeys Aid Quadriplegics – Capuchin monkeys are trained to assist quadriplegics in daily tasks, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
- Jun 18🌌 Vast Ocean Crater Found – A 28-mile-wide crater formed by a comet impact 50 million years ago was discovered off Nova Scotia, shedding light on dinosaur extinction.
- Jun 19🌍 U.S. and Soviet Ozone Study – Scientists from the U.S. and Soviet Union initiate a joint study to investigate the ozone layer and its impact on climate.
- Jun 20🎤 Jungwon Park Recital – South Korean soprano Jungwon Park performed a successful recital at Merkin Concert Hall, showcasing her vocal talents and artistry.
- Jun 21🌍 Nuclear Test Conducted – A nuclear weapon test was successfully conducted today at the Nevada Test Site, marking the eighth test announced this year.
- Jun 22🎷 Jazz Festival Highlights – Major jazz festival performances showcased renowned artists, enhancing the cultural landscape and celebrating America's original musical art.
- Jun 23🎉 Astaire Dies at 88 – Fred Astaire, the iconic dancer and actor, passed away at 88, leaving a legacy of groundbreaking musical performances.
- Jun 24🐼 Panda Cub Born – National Zoo officials celebrated the birth of a healthy 4-ounce giant panda cub, a significant event for conservation efforts.
- Jun 25🏦 Agreement On Bank Bill – House and Senate conferees agreed on a banking bill granting regulators authority to take over failing banks before collapse.
- Jun 26🐼 Panda Cub Born – Ling-Ling, a giant panda at the National Zoo, gives birth to a healthy cub, raising hopes for the future of endangered species.
- Jun 27⚖️ Historic Judge Sworn In – Robert D. Glass became the first black judge on the Connecticut Supreme Court, marking a significant milestone in the state's judicial history.
- Jun 28🌍 World Hunger Rising – Despite international pledges, the number of hungry and undernourished people is increasing, according to a United Nations agency.
- Jun 29🏭 Tool Orders Surge – New orders for American-made machine tools rose 44.4% in May, reaching $188.1 million, signaling a rebound in manufacturing.
- Jun 30🎨 Van Gogh Painting Sold – Vincent van Gogh's 'The Bridge of Trinquetaille' sold for $20.2 million at Christie's, marking the second highest auction price for a painting.
Happy Birthday! 1987 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1987 in real headlines. See the 1987 book →