What Happened This Year 1986

Historical Events from This Year 1986

Military & Warfare

Surinamese Military Assault on Moiwana Village

November 29th, 1986 38 years ago

The Surinamese military conducted an attack on the village of Moiwana during the Suriname Guerrilla War, resulting in the deaths of at least 39 civilians, predominantly women and children. This violence was part of a broader conflict involving the military and guerrilla fighters in the region. The assault highlighted the severe human cost associated with the ongoing strife in Suriname, as civilians became entangled in military operations aimed at suppressing dissent.

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Accidents & Tragedies

Oil Spill from MV Amazon Venture at Savannah

December 4th, 1986 38 years ago

The MV Amazon Venture, an oil tanker, began leaking oil while docked at the port of Savannah, resulting in a significant spill of approximately 500,000 US gallons. The leak occurred due to a malfunction in the vessel's fuel system, prompting emergency response teams to address the situation. Local authorities quickly mobilized to contain the spill, which posed a significant environmental threat to the nearby coastal area and marine life.

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Crime & Law

Qasba Aligarh Massacre of Muhajirs

December 14th, 1986 38 years ago

In December 1986, more than 400 Muhajirs were killed in Qasba colony during violent retaliation following a raid by security forces on a heroin processing center in Sohrab Goth. The conflict erupted in the aftermath of increasing tensions between ethnic groups in Karachi, specifically targeting the Muhajir community, who were accused of various crimes amid a backdrop of drug trafficking. The incident reflected the deep-seated ethnic rivalries and social unrest in Pakistan.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Ethnic Unrest in Alma-Ata Over Leadership Change

December 16th, 1986 38 years ago

Riots erupted in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, following Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's dismissal of Dinmukhamed Kunaev, a well-regarded ethnic Kazakh First Secretary, and his replacement by Gennady Kolbin, an ethnic Russian from the Russian SFSR. The local population viewed this change as a disregard for Kazakhstan's ethnic composition and a sign of the Kremlin’s indifference toward Kazakh identity. Protests began peacefully but escalated into violent clashes with the authorities, highlighting deep-rooted ethnic tensions in the region.

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Politics & Government

Gorbachev Releases Andrei Sakharov from Exile

December 19th, 1986 38 years ago

Andrei Sakharov, a prominent Soviet dissident and advocate for human rights, was released from exile in Gorky along with his wife, Yelena Bonner, by Mikhail Gorbachev. This decision reflected Gorbachev's policy of glasnost and aimed to improve the Soviet Union's image both domestically and internationally by acknowledging the contributions of dissidents like Sakharov. Their release was celebrated by supporters of human rights and was seen as a significant step toward reform in the nation.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

First Non-Stop Round-The-World Flight Completed

December 23rd, 1986 38 years ago

Voyager, a custom-built aircraft piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, successfully completed its historic non-stop flight around the world, landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The flight took off on December 4 and lasted 9 days, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds, covering about 26,366 miles. This remarkable feat was accomplished without the need for aerial or ground refueling, showcasing advancements in engineering and aviation technology.

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