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U.S. rescue attempt to save hostages in Tehran fails
President Carter ordered a rescue mission to try and recover the US Embassy hostages being held in Iran. During the mission, 3 of the 8 helicopters were damaged and the mission was aborted. However, during the retreat, one of the C-130 helicopters crashed into another killing 8 soldiers. -
mount saint helens erupts
At 8:32 am (PDT), Mt.St.Helens erupted in skamania county, Washington. The eruption spewed ash 80,000 feet into the air, and it settled over 11 states. The eruption directly killed 57 people. -
John lennon is murdered
He was shot by Mark David Chapman on the doorstep of the Dakota, his home in New York City. -
John Hinckley Jr. attempts to assassinate President Reagan
After giving a speech, Reagan and 3 others are shot while he left the Washington Hilton hotel -
The Space Shuttle Columbia is launched
Columbia was the first shuttle to reach space, in 1981. -
Argentina invades the Falkland Islands.
Argentinian military led by Lieutenant General Leopoldo Galtieri invades the Falkland islands to promote patriotic feelings. -
U.S. Embassy in Beirut bombed.
The US Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon was bombed. It killed 63 people, including 17 Americans. -
Steve Jobs introduces the first Macintosh computer.
Steve Jobs introduced the Macintosh for the first time at Apple's shareholders meeting in Cupertino -
“The Cosby Show” debuts.
The Cosby show aired on NBC from September 20, 1984, until April 30, 1992 -
Iran-Contra scandal erupts
The Iran-Contra Scandal was a secret U.S. arms deal. It traded missiles and other arms to free Americans being held hostage in Lebanon. But it also used funds from the arms deal to support armed conflict in Nicaragua. -
Space Shuttle Challenger explodes shortly after lift-off
Challenger explodes 73 seconds after liftoff on live national television , killing all seven members onboard. -
Chernobyl nuclear meltdown occurs.
The meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine was the product of a flawed reactor design and serious mistakes made by the plant operators. -
U.S. and Canada sign free trade agreement.
It led to the the elimination of tariffs, and the reduction of many non-tariff barriers -
George Bush Sr. elected president of the United States.
Bush defeated Democratic rival Michael Dukakis to win the presidential election. -
Berlin Wall falls.
On November 9th, citizens of the GDR were free to cross the country's borders. They responded by demolishing the wall between east and west berlin.
