QuickTips Index

1981 - First Woman Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court
On September 25, 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor officially became the first woman to be a judge on the U.S. Supreme Court.

What Was Gorbachev's Policy of Glasnost?
Glasnost, which translates to openness in English, was General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev's policy for a new, open policy in the Soviet Union where people could freely express their opinions.

What Was Gorbachev's Policy of Perestroika?
Perestroika, which in English translates to "restructuring," was General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev's program to restructure the Soviet economy in an attempt to revitalize it.

1989 - The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down. It was a sudden and surprising end to the Berlin Wall's 28-year history.

E.T. Movie Released
The movie E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial was a hit from the day it was released (June 11, 1982) and quickly became one of the most beloved movies of all time.

1980 - Rubik's Cube Becomes Popular
In 1980, the Rubik's Cube was first sold internationally and it immediately became immensely popular all around the world.

1988 - Pan Am Flight 103 Is Bombed Over Lockerbie
At 7:03 p.m. on December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103, a London to New York flight, exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland. A total of 270 people were killed, 259 of which had been on board the plane and another 11 had been killed from the debris that hit the ground.

1984 - Huge Poison Gas Leak in Bhopal, India
During the night of December 2-3, 1984, a storage tank containing methyl isocyanate (MIC) at the Union Carbide pesticide plant leaked gas into the densely populated city of Bhopal, India. It was one of the worst industrial accidents in history.

1981 - Wedding of Lady Diana and Prince Charles
On July 29, 1981, Lady Diana Spencer (20 years old) married Prince Charles (32 years old) at St. Paul's Cathedral.