Events of December 1986
International Events
The month of December 1986 was marked by several significant international events. On December 1, the Central African Republic declared itself a republic after a referendum. This marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape, moving away from its previous status as an empire.
On December 12, the United Nations adopted the Declaration on the Right to Development, which established development as a human right. This declaration has since played a crucial role in shaping international development policies and practices.
In the realm of space exploration, the Soviet Union launched the Mir Space Station on December 19. This marked a significant milestone in human space exploration, as Mir served as a laboratory for a multitude of scientific experiments and paved the way for future space stations like the International Space Station.
National Events
In the United States, December 1986 was marked by several notable events. On December 2, the Iran-Contra Affair was publicly revealed, causing a major political scandal. This event involved senior officials in the Reagan administration secretly facilitating the sale of arms to Iran, which was then under an arms embargo.
On December 17, the experimental aircraft Rutan Voyager completed the first non-stop, non-refueled flight around the world. This marked a significant milestone in aviation history.
Cultural Events
In the realm of popular culture, December 1986 saw the release of several influential works. On December 12, the film Platoon was released in the United States. Directed by Oliver Stone, this film offered a gritty and realistic portrayal of the Vietnam War and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
In the world of music, the band U2 released their acclaimed album The Joshua Tree on December 20. This album marked a shift in the band's sound and is often considered one of the greatest albums of all time.
