What happened in March 1987?
The top front-page story of each day in March 1987, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Mar 1🌌 Supernova Discovery – A newly discovered supernova near the Andes has puzzled scientists with its unusual behavior since its discovery.
- Mar 2💻 Apple's New Macintosh – Apple Computer Inc. introduces two new Macintosh models, marking a significant advancement in personal computer technology.
- Mar 3🌍 Quake Strikes New Zealand – An earthquake shook New Zealand's North Island, collapsing houses and bridges, leaving at least 25 injured and a mile-long fissure.
- Mar 4📈 OPEC Oil Prices Surge – Crude oil prices jumped significantly, marking the largest one-day advance this year amid reports of OPEC nearing output targets.
- Mar 5🔬 New Push for Chips – U.S. semiconductor makers formed a consortium to revive chip manufacturing and sought financial support from the Reagan Administration.
- Mar 6🖼️ Lost Michelangelo Model – An eight-inch plaster model used by Michelangelo for his famous sculpture of David has been rediscovered after nearly 300 years.
- Mar 7🚢 Ferry Capsizes in Belgium – A British ferry capsized near Zeebrugge with over 500 aboard, resulting in 48 confirmed dead and more than 200 missing.
- Mar 8🚢 Ferry Capsizes, Many Missing – A British ferry capsized off Belgium, resulting in 51 dead and 84 missing, with 408 of 543 passengers rescued.
- Mar 9🎶 Concerts Honor Villa-Lobos – Concerts celebrate Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, showcasing Brazil's rich musical heritage blending Iberian, African, and folk influences.
- Mar 10🔬 Advanced Supercomputer Operational – The world's most advanced supercomputer begins full operation, simulating complex phenomena like flight and weather.
- Mar 11🌌 Stellar Explosion Detected – Laboratories in Japan and the U.S. detected neutrino particles from a supernova, supporting theories on stellar explosions.
- Mar 12🔬 Whale Fossils Found – Scientists discovered whale fossils in the Andes, indicating rapid mountain formation from the sea.
- Mar 13🌌 Largest Galaxy Found – Astronomers discovered Markarian 348, a galaxy 13 times larger than the Milky Way, making it the largest known galaxy.
- Mar 14🌍 First Toad Tunnel – The UK opened its first toad tunnel under a busy road to protect mating toads from traffic, marking a significant wildlife conservation effort.
- Mar 15🌍 Coast Guard Rescue – Coast Guard helicopters rescued 37 Russians, including an infant, from a stricken Soviet freighter 210 miles off New Jersey's coast.
- Mar 16⚾ Ryan's Spring Training Debut – Nolan Ryan pitched against the Mets in his 20th spring training debut, showcasing his enduring baseball greatness.
- Mar 17🌌 No Moon Trip – Carl Phillips, a contest winner from 1958, was supposed to collect a prize of an all-expense paid trip to the moon this week.
- Mar 18🔬 Breakthrough in Magnet Research – Scientists discovered a new superconducting material that can create magnets far more powerful than existing ones.
- Mar 19🎨 Brubeck Quartet in USSR – The Dave Brubeck Quartet will perform 13 jazz concerts in the Soviet Union as part of a cultural exchange agreement.
- Mar 20📈 Japan Bond Plan – Japan's Ministry of Finance approved a plan to increase foreign participation in 10-year government bond sales, addressing U.S. market access concerns.
- Mar 21🚇 Calcutta Subway Opens – A new subway system in Calcutta begins operations, featuring modern trains and clean stations, enhancing urban transportation.
- Mar 22🌍 AIDS Treatment Approved – The FDA approved AZT for AIDS treatment, offering hope to patients despite serious side effects.
- Mar 23🌍 Burma Struggles in Isolation – Burma faces ongoing challenges after a military coup 25 years ago, hindering its development and unity.
- Mar 24🔭 Telescope Site Chosen – The dormant Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii will host the National New Technology Telescope, the world's most powerful optical telescope.
- Mar 25🏰 Disney in France – France signs a $2 billion contract for a Disney theme park near Paris, expected to create 30,000 jobs and attract 10 million visitors annually.
- Mar 26🚀 India's Rocket Failure – India's new generation rocket failed shortly after takeoff, crashing into the Bay of Bengal, marking a setback for its space program.
- Mar 27🔬 Seabrook Plant Testing – The Seabrook nuclear reactor received approval for low-power testing, moving closer to operational readiness.
- Mar 28📉 Stocks Decline Sharply – Stock prices fell sharply as profit-taking surged, triggered by a steep drop in the dollar's value.
- Mar 29🏛️ Mayan Artifacts Found – A cache of exquisite Mayan artifacts, including jade carvings, was uncovered in Copan, Honduras, revealing significant historical insights.
- Mar 30💰 Peru Gold Discovery – Peru announces gold deposits worth $1.3 billion in the jungle, with plans for a treatment plant to yield $25 million profit by year-end.
- Mar 31🎨 Van Gogh Auction Record – A painting by Vincent van Gogh, 'Sunflowers,' sold for a record $39.9 million at auction, shocking art patrons worldwide.
Happy Birthday! 1987 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1987 in real headlines. See the 1987 book →
Born in March? Pick the day
Every birthday in March has its own On This Day in Headlines book: