WHAT ALL HAPPENED OCTOBER TO NOVEMBER 1986
Find out what all happened October to November 1986

USS Rentz, USS Reeves and USS Oldendorf visit Qingdao (Tsing Tao) China – the first US Naval visit to China since 1949. (5. November 1986)

The British government suddenly deregulates financial markets, leading to a total restructuring of the way in which they operate in the country, in an event now referred to as the Big Bang. (27. October 1986)

In Lebanon, pro-Irankidnappers claim to have abducted American writer Edward Tracy (he is released in August 1991). (21. October 1986)

An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter Scale strikes San Salvador, El Salvador, killing an estimated 1,500 people. (10. October 1986)

The musical The Phantom of the Opera has its first performance at Her Majesty's Theatre in London. (9. October 1986)

The Federated States of Micronesia gain independence from the United States of America. (3. November 1986)

Iran Contra Affair: U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese announces that profits from covert weapons sales to Iran were illegally diverted to the anti-communist Contra rebels in Nicaragua. (25. November 1986)

Samora Machel, President of Mozambique and a prominent leader of FRELIMO, and 33 others die when their Tupolev 134 plane crashes into the Lebombo Mountains. (19. October 1986)

Sumburgh disaster – A British International Helicopters Boeing 234LR Chinook crashes 2.5 ! 21⁄2 miles east of Sumburgh Airport killing 45 people. It is the deadliest civilian helicopter crash on record. (6. November 1986)

Iran-Contra Affair: The Lebanese magazine Ash-Shiraa reports that the United States has been secretly selling weapons to Iran in order to secure the release of seven American hostages held by pro-Iranian groups in Lebanon. (3. November 1986)

Nezar Hindawi is sentenced to 45 years in prison, the longest sentence handed down by a British court, for the attempted bombing on an El Al flight at Heathrow. After the verdict, the United Kingdom breaks diplomatic relations with Syria, claiming that Hindawi is helped by Syrian officials. (24. October 1986)

Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the People's Republic of China (12. October 1986)

The Compact of Free Association becomes law, granting the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands independence from the United States. (13. November 1986)

Israeli secret nuclear weapons are revealed. The British newspaper The Sunday Times runs Mordechai Vanunu's story on its front page under the headline: "Revealed — the secrets of Israel's nuclear arsenal". (5. October 1986)

Iran-Contra scandal: U.S. President Ronald Reagan announces the members of what will become known as the Tower Commission. (26. November 1986)

Reinhold Messner becomes the first person to summit all 14 Eight-thousanders. (16. October 1986)

Mike Tyson defeats Trevor Berbick to become youngest Heavyweight champion in boxing history. (22. November 1986)

The King Fahd Causeway is officially opened in the Persian Gulf. (25. November 1986)

Iran-Contra Affair: National Security Council member Oliver North and his secretary start to shred documents allegedly implicating them in the sale of weapons to Iran and channeling the proceeds to help fund the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. (21. November 1986)

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher opens the last stretch of the M25 motorway. (29. October 1986)