What happened in May 1988?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1988, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🎶 Ramses II Visits Museum – A 40-foot model of an ancient Egyptian temple, the Colossus of Memphis, is on display at the Boston Museum of Science for three months.
- May 2🦅 Condor Chick Thrives – The first California condor chick conceived in captivity is doing well, boosting the population to 28, as keepers monitor its health closely.
- May 3🦖 Dinosaur Eggs Discovered – Paleontologists have found dinosaur embryos preserved in fossilized eggs, providing new insights into their life cycle.
- May 4🩺 Successful Twin Separation – A 40-member medical team successfully separated 16-month-old twins joined at the head in Johannesburg after a 7.5-hour operation.
- May 5🩺 Tiny Heart Pump Success – A tiny heart pump, the size of a pencil eraser, saved the life of its first patient, marking a significant medical breakthrough.
- May 6🔥 Louisiana Refinery Explosion – An explosion at a Shell Oil refinery killed one worker, injured over 40, and left six missing, causing extensive damage.
- May 7🌍 Solar Storm Hits Earth – A solar discharge caused a major geomagnetic storm over Earth, as reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
- May 8🏇 Winning Colors Triumphs – Winning Colors became only the third filly to win the Kentucky Derby, leading early and holding off competitors for a narrow victory.
- May 9🌍 Chinese 'Silicon Valleys' – China plans to establish six high-tech zones to boost industries like computers and robotics, enhancing its technological landscape.
- May 10🔬 Scientists Identify Memory Gate – Researchers found a crucial brain 'gate' for memory formation, enhancing understanding of neurological functions.
- May 11🏆 Lacrosse Victory After Years – City College's lacrosse team won its first match in nine years, ending a 92-game losing streak, marking a significant achievement for the team.
- May 12🎨 Van Gogh Portrait Sold – Van Gogh's 1890 portrait 'Adeline Ravoux' sold for $13.8 million at Christie's, a significant increase from its 1980 price.
- May 13🔬 Second Genetic Code Deciphered – Scientists have deciphered a second genetic code that directs a key step in protein synthesis, a breakthrough in molecular biology.
- May 14🌍 Soviet Satellite Threat – A crippled Soviet nuclear-powered satellite is expected to fall to Earth in August or September, raising concerns about radioactive debris.
- May 15🏛️ Mitterrand Calls Elections – President Francois Mitterrand dissolved the National Assembly, calling for fresh parliamentary elections next month favored by his Socialist Party.
- May 16🏆 Bruins Advance Finals – Boston Bruins fans celebrated their team's playoff victory, securing a spot in the Stanley Cup finals after defeating the New Jersey Devils.
- May 17🔬 Soviet Space Gravity – Soviet experts suggest manned missions to Mars should include artificial gravity to ensure astronaut health during long flights.
- May 18🛩️ Fireproof Crates Called – The NTSB recommended fire-resistant containers for cargo on passenger jets after a deadly crash of a South African Airways flight.
- May 19🛬 First Soviet Unit Withdraws – The first brigade of Soviet soldiers formally withdrew from Afghanistan, marking a significant step in the Soviet exit from the conflict.
- May 20🚗 Chrysler Air Bags – Chrysler becomes the first U.S. automaker to install driver's-side air bags as standard equipment on select models, enhancing vehicle safety.
- May 21🏛️ New Museum Opens – The Museum of Cheese officially opened after two years of disputes and $175,000 in state funding, symbolizing government challenges.
- May 22🌍 Gorbachev Proposes Mars Trip – Mikhail S. Gorbachev will propose a joint U.S.-Soviet unmanned flight to Mars during the upcoming summit with President Reagan.
- May 23🌍 Greek Quake Sets Off Slide – A strong earthquake rocked Cephalonia, Greece, causing a landslide. No casualties reported, but it was the second quake in five days.
- May 24🚀 Soviet Shuttle Launch – The Soviet Union announced plans for its new space shuttle to launch in August, coinciding with the U.S. shuttle's return to orbit.
- May 25🧬 Protein Fights Bone Cancer – Researchers found that the protein interferon shows promise in controlling multiple myeloma, a lethal form of bone cancer.
- May 26🔬 Stellar Explosions Discovered – Physicists found traces of stellar explosions in deep mine ore, revealing insights into Milky Way star deaths over 14 million years.
- May 27🚄 Automated Trolley Line – Los Angeles plans to build the nation's first automated, driverless trolley line to reduce car dependency.
- May 28🏃♀️ Grand Prix Track Opens – The Bud Light Bruce Jenner Classic, the first event of the Mobil Grand Prix circuit, features top American women track athletes ahead of the Seoul Olympics.
- May 29🕊️ Reagan Arrives in Moscow – President Reagan's arrival in Moscow marks a significant step in U.S.-Soviet relations, highlighting a shift towards negotiation and diplomacy.
- May 30🤝 First Ladies' Summit – Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev shared a historic moment during their meeting at the Moscow Summit, showcasing friendship amid political tensions.
- May 31🏗️ World's Tallest Platform – Seven tugboats began hauling the world's tallest offshore drilling platform, Bullwinkle, to the Gulf of Mexico for installation.
Happy Birthday! 1988 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1988 in real headlines. See the 1988 book →