20 Facts About 1987

1987: A Year of Change and Innovation

1987 was a year filled with significant events, technological advancements, and cultural milestones. From groundbreaking scientific discoveries to iconic pop culture moments, this year left an indelible mark on history.

1. The Simpsons Debut: The Simpsons made their first appearance as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. This would later evolve into the longest-running American sitcom.

2. Black Monday: On October 19, the stock market experienced its largest one-day percentage drop in history, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling by 22.6%.

3. The Legend of Zelda: Nintendo released The Legend of Zelda in North America, introducing gamers to the adventures of Link in the land of Hyrule.

Technological Breakthroughs

1987 saw several technological advancements that would shape the future. These innovations laid the groundwork for many of the devices and systems we use today.

4. The First 3D Video Game: The first 3D video game, "3-D WorldRunner," was released by Square, paving the way for future 3D gaming experiences.

5. GIF Format Introduced: The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) was introduced by CompuServe, revolutionizing how images were shared on the internet.

6. Prozac Approved: The FDA approved Prozac, a groundbreaking antidepressant that would become one of the most prescribed medications for depression.

Political and Social Events

1987 was also a year of significant political and social events that had lasting impacts on the world stage.

7. Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty: The United States and the Soviet Union signed the INF Treaty, agreeing to eliminate their intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles.

8. The Great Storm: A powerful extratropical cyclone hit the UK and France, causing widespread damage and resulting in 22 fatalities.

9. World Population Reaches 5 Billion: The global population reached 5 billion on July 11, a milestone that highlighted the rapid growth of humanity.

Cultural Milestones

From music to movies, 1987 was a year rich in cultural milestones that continue to influence today's entertainment landscape.

10. Dirty Dancing Released: The iconic film Dirty Dancing premiered, becoming a cultural phenomenon and introducing the world to the famous line, "Nobody puts Baby in a corner."

11. U2's The Joshua Tree: U2 released their critically acclaimed album The Joshua Tree, which included hits like "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For."

12. The Simpsons Debut: The Simpsons made their first appearance as a series of shorts on The Tracey Ullman Show. This would later evolve into the longest-running American sitcom.

Sports Highlights

1987 was a memorable year in sports, with several notable achievements and events that captured the world's attention.

13. Mike Tyson Becomes Undisputed Champion: Mike Tyson became the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion by defeating Tony Tucker, unifying the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles.

14. Minnesota Twins Win World Series: The Minnesota Twins won their first World Series title since moving to Minnesota, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

15. Steffi Graf's Grand Slam: Tennis player Steffi Graf won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, beginning her journey to becoming one of the sport's greatest players.

Scientific Discoveries

1987 was a year of remarkable scientific discoveries that expanded our understanding of the universe and advanced medical science.

16. Supernova 1987A: Astronomers observed Supernova 1987A, the closest supernova to Earth since 1604, providing valuable insights into stellar evolution.

17. DNA Fingerprinting: DNA fingerprinting was used for the first time in a criminal case, revolutionizing forensic science and law enforcement.

18. First Heart-Lung Transplant: The first successful heart-lung transplant was performed by Dr. Bruce Reitz at Stanford University Medical Center.

Entertainment and Media

The entertainment industry saw several groundbreaking moments in 1987, with new shows, movies, and media formats emerging.

19. The Fox Network Launches: The Fox Broadcasting Company launched, becoming the fourth major American television network and changing the TV landscape.

20. Full House Premieres: The beloved family sitcom Full House premiered, introducing audiences to the Tanner family and becoming a staple of '90s television.

1987's Lasting Impact

1987 left a mark on history with its mix of pop culture, technological advances, and significant events. From the release of iconic movies like "The Princess Bride" to the stock market crash known as Black Monday, this year was anything but dull. The world saw the birth of the first "The Simpsons" short, which would become a cultural phenomenon. Meanwhile, the tech world buzzed with the introduction of the first version of Microsoft Windows 2.0.

These moments, big and small, shaped the world we live in today. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about the past, 1987 offers a treasure trove of fascinating facts. So next time you hear someone mention this year, you'll know it was more than just another trip around the sun. It was a year of change, innovation, and unforgettable moments.