USSR launches Mir Space Station
Mir was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996. It had a greater mass than any previous spacecraft.
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The Sixth Brazilian Republic begins after a 21-year military regime
The negotiated transition to democracy reached its climax with the indirect election of Tancredo Neves PMDB by Congress. He was the first civilian president to be elected since 1964.
Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost and perestroika began the end of the Cold War
Gorbachev’s dual program of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness) introduced profound changes in economic practice, internal affairs and international relations.
Steve Jobs introduces the first Macintosh computer
The original Macintosh was the first mass-market personal computer that featured a graphical user interface, built-in screen and mouse.
Chuck Hull invents stereolithography
Stereolithography is a form of 3D printing technology used for creating models, prototypes, patterns, and production parts in a layer by layer fashion using photopolymerization.
China builds its first major solar farm
China’s first 10kW civil photovoltaic power station, which is also the oldest existing photovoltaic power station in China, was built in Xiaocha Village, Yuanzi Township, Yuzhong County, Gansu Province, providing domestic electricity for 130 local households. After 40 years, the plant is still generating electricity at around 7 kW.
The United Democratic Front emerges in South Africa
The United Democratic Front was a major anti-apartheid organisation of the 1980s. The non-racial coalition of about 400 civic, church, students’, workers’ and other organisations was formed to fight the new Tricameral Parliament.
Michael Jackson releases “Thriller”, one of the highest selling albums of all time
The critically acclaimed album sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, won a record-breaking eight Grammy Awards and broke down racial barriers on radio and television networks like MTV.
The first utility-scale solar farm in the U.S. begins operation
The Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) pioneered utility-scale solar power generation in 1982. ARCO opened a 1.1 megawatt operation in Hesperia, California, the first industrial solar power plant in the country. The company later opened a larger, 5.2 MW solar power plant in Carrizo Plain, California. The plant in Carrizo Plain operated from 1983 to 1994 and had one of the largest photovoltaic arrays in the world.
Antigua and Barbuda achieve full independence
The islands achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1981, becoming the nation of Antigua and Barbuda. However, it remains part of the Commonwealth of Nations, and remains a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as Queen of Antigua and Barbuda.