Chronology year 1986

January 1986

• Spain and Portugal become official members of the European Economic Community (EEC), currently the European Union, marking their economic integration.
• A new Brazilian currency, the Cruzado (Cz$), is announced by President José Sarney, with a price freeze and trends to strengthen inflation.
• Halley's comet reaches its perihelion, being visible from Earth, generating great scientific and public interest.
• The Columbia space shuttle is launched on mission STS-61-C, the last before the Challenger disaster.
• The United Kingdom and France announce plans to build the Eurotunnel, connecting the two countries under the English Channel.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated for the first time as a national holiday in the USA.
• The Soviet Progress 25 probe is launched to supply the Mir space station.
• The Voyager 2 probe passes by Uranus, sending planned images of the planet and its moons.
• The Chicago Bears beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XX, highlighted by MVP Richard Dent.
• Uganda faces internal conflicts after Yoweri Museveni took power, ending years of civil war.
• The space shuttle Challenger explodes 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members, including civilian Christa McAuliffe.
• The Challenger tragedy shocks the world and suspends NASA's space shuttle program for more than two years.
• Microsoft launches MS-DOS 3.2, consolidating its position in the operating system market.
• The film The Color Purple, by Steven Spielberg, premieres in Brazil, receiving acclaim and 11 Oscar nominations.
• Haiti is facing protests against the regime of Jean-Claude Duvalier, which culminated in his flight from the country in February.

February 1986

• Pixar Animation Studios is founded after the purchase of Lucasfilm's animation division by Steve Jobs.
• Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier flees Haiti for France, ending almost 30 years of dictatorship by the Duvalier family.
• Halley's Comet is broadcast by amateur and professional astronomers, with maximum visibility on the southern horizon.
• The Soviet probe Soyuz T-15 is prepared for launch, marking advances in Russian space exploration.
• The album Master of Puppets, by the band Metallica, is recorded, becoming a landmark in heavy metal.
• Portuguese Mário Soares takes office as president of Portugal, the first civilian in decades.
• The Soviet Mir space station is launched, becoming the first modular station in orbit.
• Brazil faced general strikes against the Cruzado Plan, with workers protesting against the wage freeze.
• The Legend of Zelda game is released for the Nintendo Famicom in Japan, starting an iconic franchise.
• The Philippines begins a People Power Revolution, which leads to the fall of Ferdinand Marcos.
• Corazon Aquino assumes the presidency of the Philippines after the People Power Revolution, marking the end of the Marcos dictatorship.
• The film Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise, begins filming, becoming a cultural success.
• Sweden is investigating the murder of Prime Minister Olof Palme, who was shot dead in Stockholm.
• Brazil holds municipal elections in cities created before June 15, 1986, under Law No. 7,493.
• Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado publishes impactful images of the Sahel in his book Sahel: l'Homme en Détresse.

March 1986

• Brazil faced galloping inflation, despite the Cruzado Plan, with prices starting to rise again.
• Microsoft holds its initial public offering (IPO), with shares at US$21, marking the beginning of its rise.
• The USSR's Vega 1 probe sends data from Halley's comet, complementing international missions.
• The Vega 2 probe flies over Halley's comet, capturing projected images of its nucleus.
• The European Space Agency's Giotto probe passes 596 km from Halley's comet, sending crucial data.
• Brazil hosts the draw for the 1986 World Cup, held at the Televisa studios in Mexico.
• The United Kingdom faces teacher strikes, demanding better pay and working conditions.
• Jacques Chirac becomes Prime Minister of France, beginning a period of cohabitation with François Mitterrand.
• The film Aliens Rescue, by James Cameron, enters the post-production phase, released months later.
• The 1986 Oscar wins Between Two Loves as Best Film, with Meryl Streep nominated for her performance.
• Australia celebrates the passage of Halley's Comet with national astronomical events.
• Lady Gaga is born in New York, a future icon of pop music.
• Pirelli commissioned a calendar from photographer Helmut Newton, with photos in Monaco and Tuscany, but did not publish it.
• Brazil registers protests in São Paulo against the economic policies of the Sarney government.
• A fire at the Hotel Dupont Plaza, in Puerto Rico, leaves 97 people dead, shocking the world.

April 1986

• Brazil faced policies with redemocratization, while the Constitution begins to be planned.
• A bomb attack at a nightclub in West Berlin kills three people, blamed on Libya.
• IBM launches the first commercial laptop, the IBM PC Convertible, a milestone in portable computing.
• Comet Halley begins to move away from the Sun, ending its visibility in 1986.
• The US bombed Libya in retaliation for the attack in Berlin, intensifying the international damage.
• Brazil records strikes by metalworkers in São Paulo, demanding a review of the Cruzado Plan.
• The United Kingdom and Spain resolve disputes over Gibraltar by signing a cooperation agreement.
• Pianist Vladimir Horowitz returns to the USSR for a historic concert after 61 years of absence.
• Brazil begins construction of the Fraternity Bridge (Tancredo Neves), connecting Foz do Iguaçu to Argentina.
• King Mswati III is crowned in Eswatini, one of the last absolute monarchs in the world.
• The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurs in Ukraine (USSR), releasing radiation and causing mass evacuations.
• The USSR confirms the Chernobyl accident, but minimizes its severity, generating international criticism.
• The album Slippery When Wet, by the band Bon Jovi, begins recording, becoming a global success.
• The fire at the Los Angeles Central Library killed 400,000 books, one of the worst library disasters in history.
• Brazil is facing an increase in urban crime, with bank robberies on the rise in Rio de Janeiro.

May 1986

• Labor Day in Brazil is marked by demonstrations against the Cruzado Plan and for better working conditions.
• The 1986 World Cup begins in Mexico, with 24 teams competing.
• Brazil beats Algeria 1-0 in the opening match of the World Cup, with a goal from Careca.
• The Soyuz T-15 probe docks with the Mir station, marking the beginning of manned operations.
• Brazil defeats Northern Ireland 3-0 in the World Cup, with goals from Careca and Josimar.
• The film Ferris Bueller's Day Off enters the finalization phase, released in June as an 80s classic.
• Japan launches the Fuji communications satellite, strengthening its technological infrastructure.
• The band Queen releases the album A Kind of Magic, with hits such as "Who Wants to Live Forever".
• Brazil faces indigenous protests in Mato Grosso do Sul, demanding land demarcation.
• South Africa carries out attacks on targets in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, accused of supporting the ANC.
• The global event “Hands Across America” brings together millions of Americans to raise funds against hunger.
• The Dragon Quest game is released in Japan, starting one of the biggest RPG franchises.
• Argentina, led by Maradona, advances in the World Cup, defeating South Korea 3-1.
• Brazil beats Poland 4-0 in the round of 16 of the World Cup.
• Mexico City announces the official opening of the World Cup, with ceremonies broadcast globally.

June 1986

• The World Cup in Mexico enters the group stage, with emphasis on Diego Maradona's performance.
• Brazil defeats Spain 1-0 in the World Cup, with a controversial goal from Sócrates.
• West Germany advances in the World Cup, defeating Uruguay in the round of 16.
• The USSR faces international criticism for its management of the Chernobyl disaster, with an increase in radiation cases.
• Brazil is eliminated by France in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, on penalties, after Zico misses a kick.
• The United Kingdom holds local elections, with Margaret Thatcher's Conservative Party maintaining a majority.
• Argentina defeats England 2-1 in the World Cup, with Maradona's famous goals: “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century”.
• Belgium surprises by reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, defeating Spain on penalties.
• West Germany advances to the World Cup final, defeating France.
• Argentina beat Belgium 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final, with goals from Maradona.
• Brazil enacts Law No. 7,493, regulating municipal elections in new municipalities.
• The International Court of Justice rules against the USA in the case of Nicaragua vs. USA, condemning support for the Contras.
• Genesis' album Invisible Touch is released, reaching the top of the charts in the United Kingdom.
• Argentina beat West Germany 3-2 and win the 1986 World Cup.
• Madonna releases the album True Blue, with hits such as “La Isla Bonita” and “Papa Don't Preach”.

July 1986

• New Zealand passes the Homosexual Relationships Act, a landmark in LGBTQ+ rights.
• The Statue of Liberty reopens after restoration for its centennial, in New York.
• Brazil registers protests against price increases, with the Cruzado Plan showing signs of failure.
• Australia wins the America's Cup, ending the USA's dominance in the sailing competition.
• The USSR begins the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, signaling difficulties in the war.
• Queen performs a historic show at Wembley Stadium, part of the Magic Tour.
• Japan launches the Mazda RX-7 car, an icon of the automotive industry.
• The film Aliens Rescue debuts in the USA, becoming a box office success.
• Spain holds its first referendum on remaining in NATO, with a "yes" vote.
• Brazil faced bank strikes, paralyzing the financial sector in several cities.
• The Soviet Soyuz TM-1 probe is tested for future missions to the Mir station.
• Greg LeMond becomes the first American to win the Tour de France.
• The wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in the United Kingdom attracts global attention.
• Brazil records an increase in AIDS cases, with awareness campaigns beginning to emerge.
• IBM launches the OS/2 operating system, competing with MS-DOS.

August 1986

• Brazil begins debates on the new Constitution, with the Constituent Assembly scheduled for 1987.
• The USSR faces criticism for nuclear tests, intensifying the Cold War effort.
• The film The Castle in the Sky, by Hayao Miyazaki, premieres in Japan, marking the beginning of Studio Ghibli.
• Brazil registers student protests in Brasília, demanding free and quality education.
• Nyos water vapor in Cameroon releases a cloud of toxic gas, killing more than 1,700 people.
• Japan launches the JCSAT-1 satellite, strengthening its communications network.
• The film The Fly, by David Cronenberg, premieres, becoming a horror classic.
• Australia carries out successful tests of the Harpoon missile, strengthening its naval defense.
• A terrorist attack in London, attributed to the IRA, leaves people injured at a train station.
• Brazil faces floods in Rio de Janeiro, causing damage and displacement.
• The game Metroid is released for the Nintendo Famicom, featuring heroine Samus Aran.
• Mexico hosts the World Economic Forum for Latin America, discussing the debt crisis.
• Brazil records an increase in agrarian conflicts, with land invasions in the interior.
• Slayer's album Reign in Blood is finished, influencing thrash metal.
• The Soviet ship Admiral Nakhimov sinks in the Black Sea, killing 423 people.

September 1986

• Brazil faced a crisis in the Cruzado Plan, with product shortages in markets.
• South Africa imposes a state of emergency due to protests against apartheid.
• A Pan Am plane hijacking in Karachi, Pakistan, resulted in 20 deaths.
• Desmond Tutu becomes Archbishop of Cape Town, a milestone in the fight against apartheid.
• Brazil records an increase in dengue cases in urban areas, such as Rio de Janeiro.
• The Japanese probe Suisei sends final data from Halley's comet before ending its mission.
• The United Kingdom privatizes British Gas, part of Thatcher's neoliberal agenda.
• The film Platoon, by Oliver Stone, enters post-production, winning the Oscar in 1987.
• The USSR launches the Cosmos 1766 mission, a military reconnaissance satellite.
• Brazil holds comics for the governor elections, the first direct ones since 1962.
• The US Congress approves assessments against South Africa for apartheid.
• Metallica suffers the loss of their bassist Cliff Burton in a bus accident in Sweden.
• Japan launches the Honda Accord car, a global sales success.
• Elie Wiesel receives the Nobel Peace Prize for his work against violence and oppression.
• Brazil records an increase in strikes in the public sector, demanding salary adjustments.

October 1986

• The USSR carries out nuclear tests, defying international agreements.
• Brazil faced an economic crisis, with the Cruzado II Plan being announced to correct flaws.
• The Sunday Times newspaper publishes details of Israel's secret nuclear program.
• The film Crocodile Dundee premieres in the USA, becoming a global success.
• An earthquake in El Salvador kills more than 1,500 people and leaves thousands homeless.
• Reagan and Gorbachev meet in Reykjavik, Iceland, to discuss nuclear disarmament.
• Brazil holds elections for governors, deputies and senators, consolidating redemocratization.
• The band U2 begins recording the album The Joshua Tree, released in 1987.
• Australia launches the “Slip, Slop, Slap” campaign to prevent skin cancer.
• The United Kingdom hosts the London Film Festival, highlighting new directors.
• The New York Mets win the World Series against the Boston Red Sox.
• The London Stock Exchange goes through the “Big Bang”, deregulating the financial market.
• Brazil records conflicts in the countryside, with deaths in disputes over land in Pará.
• The game Castlevania is released for the Nintendo Famicom, starting a classic franchise.
• The Iran-Contra scandal begins to be revealed, involving secret arms sales by the USA.

November 1986

• Brazil enacts Law No. 7,505, regulating the electoral system for new municipalities.
• The Iran-Contra scandal gains prominence, with revelations of arms sales to Iran.
• Brazil faces meat and milk shortages due to the Cruzado Plan.
• The Japanese probe Sakigake ends its mission to observe Halley's comet.
• The United Kingdom carries out military exercises with NATO, simulating conflicts in Europe.
• Brazil records an increase in malaria cases in the Amazon, worrying authorities.
• Brazil holds direct elections for governors, with Orestes Quércia winning in São Paulo.
• France deports members of the terrorist group Action Directe, accused of the attack.
• WHO launches global campaign against AIDS, with the first World AIDS Day planned for 1988.
• Mike Tyson becomes the youngest world heavyweight boxing champion in history, at 20 years old.
• Brazil faced a political crisis with allegations of corruption in the Sarney government.
• The film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home premieres, attracting fans of the franchise.
• The Tancredo Neves Bridge, connecting Brazil and Argentina, is inaugurated in Foz do Iguaçu.
• Brazil records an increase in protests against inflation, which reaches 20% per month.
• The Beastie Boys' album Licensed to Ill is released, popularizing rap rock.

December 1986

• The Louvre Museum, in Paris, begins construction of the Glass Pyramid, designed by IM Pei.
• Brazil faced a crisis in the Cruzado Plan, with the return of inflation and shortages.
• France carries out nuclear tests on Mururoa atoll, generating international protests.
• Chile faces protests against Pinochet's dictatorship, with violent repression.
• The Nobel Prize for Literature is awarded to Wole Soyinka, the first African to receive it.
• Brazil records an increase in agrarian conflicts in Maranhão, with deaths of rural workers.
• The 1986 World Cup has its televised draw, marking the beginning of preparations for 1990.
• The USSR releases dissident Andrei Sakharov from internal exile, signaling political openness.
• Japan launches the EGS-3 satellite, advancing space technology.
• Brazil faces teacher strikes, demanding better obligations and conditions.
• Iraqi Airways Flight 747 is hijacked, but the incident is resolved without casualties.
• The film The Golden Child, with Eddie Murphy, premieres, achieving box office success.
• Storm of December 29: The United Kingdom will face serious consequences, causing damage in London and the surrounding area.
• Brazil records an increase in cases of urban violence, with robberies on the rise in Rio.
• A fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in Puerto Rico is reviewed, confirming 97 deaths.