1986
News
- A major accident took place at Chernobyl nuclear power station. It was the world’s worst nuclear disaster.
- The space shuttle, Challenger, exploded shortly after take-off from Cape Canavral.
- British surgeons performed the first heart, lung and liver transplant.
- Corporal punishment was abolished in schools across the UK.
- The first PC virus, Brain, started to spread.
- The UK and France announced plans to build a Channel tunnel.
Entertainment
- Bob Geldof published his autobiography, ‘Is That It?’.
- Clint Eastwood became the Mayor of Carmel, California.
- Bread, Casualty and The Singing Detective made their debut on TV.
- Neighbours first appeared on UK television.
Music
- The Eurovision Song Contest winner was Sandra Kim from Belgium with ‘J’aime La Vie’.
- Janet Jackson divorced James DeBarge.
- Benny Goodman died.
- Spitting Image writers reached number one in the charts with ‘The Chicken Song’.
Number #1 Hits of 1986
| Artist | Title |
| Pet Shop Boys | West End Girls |
| A-Ha | The Sun Always Shines On TV |
| Billy Ocean | When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going |
| Diana Ross | Chain Reaction |
| Cliff Richard & The Young Ones | Living Doll |
| George Michael | A Different Corner |
| Falco | Rock Me Amadeus |
| Spitting Image | The Chicken Song |
| Doctor & The Medics | Spirit In The Sky |
| Wham! | Edge Of Heaven |
| Madonna | Papa Don’t Preach |
| Chris De Burgh | The Lady In Red |
| Boris Gardiner | I Want To Wake Up With You |
| Communards | Don’t Leave Me This Way |
| Madonna | True Blue |
| Nick Berry | Every Loser Wins |
| Berlin | Take My Breath Away |
| Europe | The Final Countdown |
| The Housemartins | Caravan Of Love |
| Jackie Wilson | Reet Petite |
Sport
- Mike Tyson became World Heavyweight Boxing Champion for the first time at the age of 20.
- 30 million people worldwide took part in Sport Aid’s ‘Race Against Time’.
- Everton won the 1st Division title.
- Liverpool won the FA Cup.
- West Tip won the Grand National.
