Historical Events tagged with "terrorism"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Crime & Law

Nezar Hindawi Receives Maximum Sentence for Bombing Attempt

October 24th, 1986 38 years ago

Nezar Hindawi was sentenced to 45 years in prison for attempting to detonate a bomb on an El Al flight. The bomb, concealed in his pregnant girlfriend's luggage, was detected before the flight's departure from Heathrow Airport to Tel Aviv. Hindawi's actions were motivated by political revenge, and the attempted attack raised significant concerns about airport security and international terrorism.

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Crime & Law

Terrorist Attack on Neve Shalom Synagogue

September 6th, 1986 38 years ago

Two terrorists from Abu Nidal's organization launched an attack inside the Neve Shalom Synagogue in Istanbul, killing 22 people and injuring six congregants. The attack occurred during Shabbat services, a significant time for Jewish worship, marking a sharp escalation in violence against Jewish communities worldwide. The assailants were heavily armed and targeted a place of worship, demonstrating the intent to instill fear and cause chaos.

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Crime & Law

Pan Am Flight 73 Hijacking at Karachi Airport

September 5th, 1986 38 years ago

Pan Am Flight 73, operating from Mumbai, was hijacked at Karachi International Airport by members of the Abu Nidal Organization. The aircraft was seized while on the ground with 358 people on board, including passengers and crew. The hijackers took control of the airplane, demanding the release of their comrades held in various countries. The situation escalated, resulting in tragic consequences for those on board, including hostages and terrorists alike. The Indian government worked to resolve the crisis while international attention focused on the unfolding situation.

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Crime & Law

Bombing of Air Lanka Flight 512 in Colombo

May 3rd, 1986 38 years ago

A bombing on Air Lanka Flight 512 occurred at Colombo airport, resulting in the deaths of twenty-one individuals and injuring forty-one others. The explosive device detonated during a terrorist attack attributed to the Tamil Tigers, a militant organization engaged in a protracted civil conflict in Sri Lanka. This targeted act aimed to disrupt civilian air travel, highlighting the ensuing violence and turmoil caused by ethnic tensions in the region. The event raised concerns globally regarding security measures at airports and amidst air travel amidst such conflicts.

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Military & Warfare

U.S. Bombing Raids Target Libya

April 15th, 1986 38 years ago

The United States conducted Operation El Dorado Canyon, a series of air strikes targeting Libyan sites. This military action was a response to a bombing at a West Berlin discotheque which killed two American servicemen and wounded others. The operation involved bombers launching precision attacks on sites identified as linked to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's support for terrorism. The raids were a demonstration of U.S. resolve against perceived threats to its citizens abroad.

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Military & Warfare

Airport Attacks by Palestinian Guerrillas

December 27th, 1985 39 years ago

Palestinian guerrillas launched coordinated attacks at airports in Rome and Vienna, resulting in the deaths of eighteen individuals. The militants aimed to draw attention to the Palestinian issue and provoke international discourse surrounding their plight. Authorities responded by deploying security forces to contain the situations and apprehend the attackers. Witnesses described scenes of chaos and fear as gunfire erupted in busy terminals, sparking panic among travelers.

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Military & Warfare

EgyptAir Flight 648 Hijacking Incident

November 23rd, 1985 39 years ago

EgyptAir Flight 648 was hijacked by gunmen while flying from Athens to Cairo. After landing in Malta, the aircraft was stormed by Egyptian commandos, resulting in the tragic death of 60 people during the rescue operation, which included passengers and crew members. The hijackers aimed to draw attention to the Palestinian cause and create an international spectacle.

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Crime & Law

Unabomber Package Explosion at University of Michigan

November 15th, 1985 39 years ago

A research assistant at the University of Michigan was injured when a package from the Unabomber exploded. The package, intended for Professor Thomas H. C. W. McClure, detonated in his office, leading to an investigation by law enforcement. This incident marked a continuing series of attacks attributed to the Unabomber, a domestic terrorist who sought to engineer fear through targeted bombings.

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Military & Warfare

US Navy Intercepts Egyptian Airliner in 1985

October 10th, 1985 39 years ago

On October 10, 1985, US Navy fighter jets intercepted an Egyptian airliner that was transporting members of the Palestinian Liberation Front, involved in the Achille Lauro hijacking. The aircraft, EgyptAir Flight 648, was forced to land in Sicily, Italy. This operation was prompted by the aftermath of the hijacking, in which an American passenger was murdered. The swift action taken by the US military aimed to prevent further escalation and secure justice for the victims of the hijacking.

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