What Happened This Year 1982
Historical Events from This Year 1982
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar Becomes UN Secretary-General
Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, a distinguished diplomat from Peru, assumed the role of Secretary-General of the United Nations, marking a significant milestone as the first Latin American to hold this prestigious position. His appointment was notable not only for its geographical significance but also for his commitment to international diplomacy and peacekeeping efforts. In the ensuing years of his leadership, de Cuéllar faced various global challenges, including conflicts in Central America and the ongoing tensions of the Cold War, navigating the complexities of international relations with skill and finesse.
Continue ReadingAT&T's Historic Divestiture of Subsidiaries
AT&T agreed to divest 22 local telephone companies, ending its monopoly. This agreement came after antitrust actions by the U.S. government aimed to increase competition in the telecommunications industry. The divestiture became a monumental shift for telecommunications in the U.S., promoting consumer choice. As a result, seven regional holding companies emerged from the restructure.
Continue ReadingAir Florida Flight 90 Crash into Potomac River
Air Florida Flight 90, a Boeing 737, crashed into the 14th Street Bridge after takeoff from Washington National Airport. The crisis unfolded as the aircraft struggled to gain altitude in icy conditions, leading to the tragic collision that ultimately impacted vehicles on the bridge before plunging into the Potomac River. Seventy-eight lives were lost, including four motorists, marking a devastating moment in aviation history.
Continue ReadingWorld Airways Flight 30 Crashes into Boston Harbor
World Airways Flight 30 overshot the runway at Logan International Airport while attempting to land, ending up in Boston Harbor. The Grumman Gulfstream II aircraft was carrying several passengers when it failed to stop in time due to a reported mechanical failure. Two people were missing and presumed dead after the crash, which raised significant concerns regarding aircraft safety and runway conditions at the airport.
Continue ReadingGeneral James L. Dozier Rescued from Captivity
United States Army General James L. Dozier was rescued by Italian anti-terrorism forces from the captivity of the Red Brigades, a far-left paramilitary organization, after being held for 42 days. The successful operation was highly coordinated and took place in the city of Padua, Italy. Dozier, abducted from his home in Verona on December 17, 1981, was held in a clandestine hideout, and the operation to rescue him highlighted the growing threat of domestic terrorism in Italy during the 1980s.
Continue ReadingRichard Skrenta Creates Elk Cloner Boot Virus
Richard Skrenta, a high school student, wrote a 400-line PC virus code known as 'Elk Cloner'. This virus was disguised as an Apple boot program and would infect Apple II computers via floppy disks, spreading through shared disks among users. Initially created as a prank, Elk Cloner was a formative moment in the development of computer viruses, combining creativity with a rudimentary understanding of software vulnerabilities.
Continue ReadingSyria's Government Assaults Hama Town
The assault on Hama was a significant military action by the Syrian government against the city, which was a stronghold of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Syrian military aimed to crush the Brotherhood’s influence after a series of violent confrontations. The siege began in early February and lasted for weeks, resulting in substantial loss of life and damage to the city.
Continue ReadingJAL Flight 350 Crash Near Haneda Airport
Japan Air Lines Flight 350, a domestic flight from Tokyo to Fukuoka, crashed near Haneda Airport during an attempted pilot mass murder-suicide, killing 24 of the 174 people on board. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff when the captain intentionally caused the aircraft to dive and collide with the ground. Eyewitness accounts described how the plane plummeted before its tragic end, marking a significant air disaster in Japanese aviation history.
Continue ReadingOcean Ranger Drilling Rig Capsizes in Storm
The Ocean Ranger, a semi-submersible drilling rig, sank during a fierce storm off the coast of Newfoundland. The storm's high waves and strong winds overwhelmed the rig, leading to its tragic capsizing. This incident resulted in the loss of 84 workers, making it one of the deadliest offshore oil rig disasters in history, deeply impacting the oil industry and regulations surrounding offshore drilling safety.
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