What happened on April 30, 1986?

Headlines from April 30, 1986

• ☢️ Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster – The Chernobyl nuclear accident in the Soviet Union is reported to have begun several days prior, releasing radioactive material into the atmosphere.
• 🏡 New Home Sales Surge – New-home sales increased by 27.4% in March, reaching the highest level in history as the housing market outperformed other sectors.
• 🎓 Salvadoran Talks Resume – Salvadoran government and leftist rebel officials held negotiations for the first time in over a year, signaling potential progress.
• 📈 Leading Indicators Rise – The U.S. leading economic index rose by 0.5% in March, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth.
• 📚 Kirov Ballet on PBS – PBS announced it will televise performances of the Kirov Ballet, marking their first U.S. shows since 1964.
• 💼 Methodist Bishops Oppose Nukes – United Methodist Church bishops unanimously issued a letter opposing the use of nuclear weapons.
• ⚖️ Supreme Court Ruling – The Supreme Court ruled that convicted murderers can present evidence of good behavior during death penalty hearings.
• 🌍 U.S. Offers Help to USSR – The U.S. formally offered humanitarian and technical assistance to the Soviet Union following the Chernobyl disaster.
• 📉 U.S. Steel Reports Loss – U.S. Steel Corporation reported a first-quarter loss of $249 million, largely due to reduced oil inventory values.
• 📊 Texas Land Bonds Offered – Texas offered $542.8 million in veterans land bonds with yields up to 7.30%, attracting significant investor interest.