99th United States Congress - Major Events

Major Events

• January 20, 1985: Ronald Reagan was privately sworn in for a second term as U.S. President (publicly sworn in, January 21).
• January 28, 1986: Space Shuttle Challenger disaster: Destruction of the shuttle and death of the crew shortly after lift-off.
• April 15, 1986: Operation El Dorado Canyon: At least 15 people die after United States planes bomb targets in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the Benghazi region.
• October 21, 1986: The Marshall Islands achieved independence from U.S.-administered UN Trusteeship and became an associated state under the Compact of Free Association.
• November 3, 1986: The Federated States of Micronesia achieved independence from U.S.-administered UN Trusteeship and became an associated state under the Compact of Free Association.
• November 3, 1986: Iran–Contra affair: The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa reported that the United States has been selling weapons to Iran in secret to secure the release of American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon.
• November 4, 1986: United States general elections, 1986: Congressional Democrats regained (+8) their Senate majority (55-45), and slightly increased (+5) their House majority (258-177).