World Events in 1987
Black Monday Stock Market Crash
On 19 October, stock markets around the world crashed. The Dow Jones fell 22.6% in a single day — the largest one-day percentage drop in history. Markets eventually recovered but the crash ended the 1980s boom mentality.
Great Storm Hits Southern England
On the night of 15–16 October, hurricane-force winds battered southern England, toppling 15 million trees and causing widespread damage. Infamously, BBC weatherman Michael Fish had told viewers not to worry.
Herald of Free Enterprise Disaster
On 6 March, the car ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized outside Zeebrugge harbour in Belgium after sailing with its bow doors open. 193 passengers and crew died in one of Britain's worst maritime disasters.
Hungerford Massacre
On 19 August, Michael Ryan shot and killed 16 people in the Berkshire town of Hungerford before taking his own life. The tragedy led to the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988, banning semi-automatic weapons in the UK.
Reagan and Gorbachev Sign INF Treaty
In December, Reagan and Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, eliminating an entire class of nuclear weapons. It marked a major de-escalation of the Cold War.
Intifada Begins in Palestine
In December, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation began in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, marking a new phase in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that would last until 1993.
Music in 1987
"Never Gonna Give You Up"
Rick Astley
The former tea boy from Newton-le-Willows became a global pop star with this Stock Aitken Waterman production. Decades later, the song would find immortality as the 'Rickroll' internet meme.
"Walk Like an Egyptian"
The Bangles
An irresistibly catchy pop novelty that spent four weeks at number one. The Bangles proved that all-female rock bands could dominate the mainstream charts.
#1 Film of 1987
Three Men and a Baby
Box Office: $240 million
A remake of a French comedy starring Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg, and Ted Danson as three bachelors left caring for an infant. It was the surprise box-office champion of the year.
Born in 1987
Lionel Messi
Football legend, eight-time Ballon d'Or winner
Zac Efron
Actor (High School Musical, The Greatest Showman)
Kendrick Lamar
Rapper, Pulitzer Prize winner
Hilary Duff
Actress and singer (Lizzie McGuire)
Bo Burnham
Comedian, filmmaker (Inside, Eighth Grade)
Lost in 1987
Andy Warhol
Pop art pioneer
Age 58
Fred Astaire
Dancer and actor
Age 88
Danny Kaye
Actor and comedian
Age 74
Liberace
Entertainer and pianist
Age 67
Lee Marvin
Actor (Cat Ballou, The Dirty Dozen)
Age 63
Technology in 1987
The first version of Photoshop was being developed. The IBM PS/2 introduced the VGA graphics standard and the PS/2 mouse and keyboard ports. GIF image format was invented. The world's population reached 5 billion.
- ● IBM PS/2 introduced VGA graphics and PS/2 ports
- ● GIF image format invented by CompuServe
- ● World population reached 5 billion
- ● First version of Perl programming language released
Cost of Living in 1987
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £40,400 | $85,600 |
| Average salary | £10,600 | $26,100 |
| Pint of milk | 25p | $0.63 |
| Loaf of bread | 46p | $0.57 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £1.60 | $0.95 |
| Pint of beer | 62p | $1.40 |
| Dozen eggs | 72p | $0.78 |
| Cinema ticket | £2.40 | $3.91 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1987
Yuppie culture hit its peak — and then crashed along with the stock market. Big hair, power dressing, and conspicuous consumption were everywhere. The Great Storm battered southern England. Acid house emerged in British clubs. Michael Jackson's Bad tried to match Thriller, and Rick Astley became inescapable.
In the News in 1987
Black Monday saw stock markets crash worldwide on 19 October. The Great Storm of October devastated southern England. The Herald of Free Enterprise ferry capsized at Zeebrugge, killing 193 people. The Hungerford massacre prompted UK gun law reform.