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Death of Liberace, American musician
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1987 in United States of America
Explore 54 historical events and records for United States of America in 1987.
Historical records for United States of America in 1987
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 54 unique records.
54Unique records
1 of 2Page
27Named events on this page
22Named people on this page
3Places on this page
February
March
Iran-Contra Affair
Addresses the Nation on the Iran Contra affair
May
Death of Rita Hayworth
Death of Rita Hayworth
June
1988 Campaign Announcement
Announces a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
July
Trial
Gives public testimony on the Iran Contra affair
Economy of USA
Dow Jones closes above 2,500 (2,510.04) for 1st time
August
Greenspan Becomes Federal Reserve Chairman
Alan Greenspan begins his tenure as Federal Reserve chairman, taking leadership of the central bank only weeks before the severe stock-market decline of October 1987.
Death of Lee Marvin
Death of Lee Marvin
Economy of USA
The stock market advanced significantly, with the Dow peaking in August 1987 at 2722 points, or 44% over the previous years closing of 1895 points
September
1988 Campaign Withdrawal
Withdraws from the 1988 presidential race.
October
Tunnel of Love
Releases Tunnel of Love, an introspective album focused on love, doubt and marriage.
Black Monday
The DJIA dropped 95.46 points (a then record) to 2412.70, and fell another 58 points the next day, down over 12% from the August 25 all-time high
Economy of USA
The DJIA dropped 95.46 points (a then record) to 2412.70, and fell another 58 points the next day, down over 12% from the August 25 all-time high
Black Monday
"Black Monday", the Dow Jones index falls by 22.6% a volume of 604.33 million shares.
Black Monday
A record stock market fall from a record high of 2722 in Aug to 1738 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped by 508 points to 1738.74 (22.61%).
Black Monday
The crash began in Far Eastern markets the morning of October 19,later that morning.
Black Monday
Two US warships shelled an Iranian oil platform in the Persian Gulf in response to Irans Silkworm missile attack on the US flagged ship MV Sea Isle City.
Economy of USA
US Congressman Edward J. Markey, who had been warning about the possibility of a crash, stated that "Program trading was the principal cause"
Economy of USA
"Black Monday", the Dow Jones index falls by 22. 6% a volume of 604. 33 million shares. A record stock market fall from a record high of 2722 in Aug to 1738 points, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) dropped by 508 points to 1738.
Economy of USA
74 (22. 61%)
Economy of USA
The crash began in Far Eastern markets the morning of October 19,later that morning, two US warships shelled an Iranian oil platform in the Persian Gulf in response to Irans Silkworm missile attack on the US flagged ship MV Sea Isle City.
Economy of USA
US Congressman Edward J. Markey, who had been warning about the possibility of a crash, stated that "Program trading was the principal cause".
Iran-Contra Affair
A record stock market fall from a record high of 2722 in Aug to 1738 points
Black Monday Response
The Federal Reserve pledges liquidity after the largest one-day percentage stock-market fall.
December
INF Treaty Signed
Signs the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Mikhail Gorbachev.
Other events (month unknown)
Academy Award
Academy Award for Best Actress in 84 Charing Cross Road
Award
BB King is inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame
BAFTA
Wins best screenplay for "Hannah and Her Sisters". Wins best Dirrector for "Hannah and Her Sisters"
Beyond Therapy Film
Robert Altman directed Beyond Therapy in 1987, a screen version of Christopher Durangs satirical stage comedy.
Death Wish 4: The Crackdown
Stars in, "Death Wish 4: The Crackdown". Stars in, "Assassination"
Dirty Dancing
Stars in Dirty Dancing
Education
Appointed Associate Professor (1987-1993)
Elegies
Publication of "Elegies"
Emmy Award Moonlighting Actor
Bruce Willis earned the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for playing detective David Addison in Moonlighting.
Fences Broadway Premiere
August Wilson's Fences opened on Broadway, exploring race, fatherhood and disappointment through Troy Maxson's family.
Grammy Award
BB King is awarded a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement
Hall of Fame
BB King is inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame
Hearts of Fire
Stars in Richard Marquand's film Hearts of Fire as Billy Parker.
Hearts of Fire
Plays a jaded English synth-pop star in Hearts of Fire.
Kuiper Belt Search Begins
Jewitt begins a systematic observational search for faint bodies moving beyond Neptune.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.