What Happened This Year 1985
Historical Events from This Year 1985
British Airtours Flight 28M Engine Fire Incident
British Airtours Flight 28M suffered an engine fire during takeoff from Manchester Airport, causing the pilots to abort the flight. Unfortunately, the evacuation procedures were inefficient, and tragically, 55 people lost their lives, primarily due to smoke inhalation. This incident highlighted critical issues in emergency response and evacuation protocols in aviation.
Continue ReadingHans Tiedge Defects to East Germany
Hans Tiedge, a highly regarded counter-spy from West Germany, made headlines when he defected to East Germany. This dramatic shift happened as he expressed disillusionment with the West German intelligence system. Tiedge's decision raised eyebrows given his significant role in espionage during the Cold War. He was known for his work in uncovering East German spies operating in West Germany, making his departure a shock to the intelligence community.
Continue ReadingBar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 Crash Overview
Bar Harbor Airlines Flight 1808 tragically crashed near Auburn/Lewiston Municipal Airport in Maine, killing all eight individuals on board. Among the victims was the notable peace activist and child actress Samantha Smith, who had gained fame for her advocacy for peace during the Cold War period. The aircraft encountered difficulties shortly after takeoff in adverse weather conditions. The loss of such a prominent figure alongside other passengers marked a solemn moment in the community.
Continue ReadingBabangida Ousts Buhari in a Military Coup
Major General Ibrahim Babangida led a coup d'état that resulted in the ousting of Major General Muhammadu Buhari, the Chairman of Nigeria's Supreme Military Council. The coup was motivated by economic mismanagement and growing public discontent under Buhari's rule, which had been marked by strict authoritarian measures. Babangida's takeover was executed with minimal bloodshed, marking a significant shift in Nigeria's leadership dynamics.
Continue ReadingSpace Shuttle Discovery's STS-51-I Launch
Space Shuttle Discovery launched on STS-51-I to deploy three communication satellites and repair a fourth malfunctioning satellite. The mission marked a significant achievement in advancing space communication technology. It lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and successfully completed its objectives within a week.
Continue ReadingTitanic Wreck Discovered by Ballard and Michel
An American-French expedition led by Robert Ballard and Jean-Louis Michel successfully located the wreck of the RMS Titanic, resting at a depth of about 12,500 feet in the North Atlantic Ocean. This groundbreaking discovery was achieved using advanced underwater technology, including remotely operated vehicles. The discovery provided a wealth of information about the Titanic's final resting place and sparked renewed interest in the ship's history, as well as the human stories associated with it. The team's findings included photographs and video footage of the ship’s condition, revealing the impact of time and the ocean environment on the wreck.
Continue ReadingM. Alalasundaram and V. Dharmalingam Shot Dead
M. Alalasundaram and V. Dharmalingam, prominent Sri Lankan Tamil politicians, were assassinated in Colombo, Sri Lanka. They were known for their active roles in advocating for Tamil rights during the escalating conflict in the region. Their murders were part of an ongoing violence that marked the early years of the Sri Lankan Civil War, reflecting the deep-seated tensions between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese majority. This incident triggered further unrest and drew attention to the volatile political climate.
Continue ReadingDiscovery of Buckminsterfullerene Molecule
Buckminsterfullerene, a remarkable carbon molecule, was discovered by researchers Robert Curl, Harold Kroto, and Richard Smalley. The discovery occurred while they were exploring the properties of carbon clusters. Buckminsterfullerene features a unique spherical shape that resembles a soccer ball, consisting of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a hollow structure. This innovative finding sparked widespread interest in fullerene chemistry and materials science.
Continue ReadingMidwest Express Airlines Flight 105 Crash
Midwest Express Airlines Flight 105, a McDonnell Douglas MD-80, crashed shortly after takeoff from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, resulting in the deaths of all 31 people on board. The flight was scheduled to fly to New Orleans, Louisiana, but tragically lost altitude shortly after takeoff due to a control system failure. The aircraft impacted a field near the airport, marking one of the deadliest aviation incidents in Wisconsin's history.
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