Space shuttle Challenger explodes -- January 28, 1986
Carrying seven crew members, including high school teacher Christa McAuliffe, the space shuttle Challenger lifts off January 28 -- and explodes 74 seconds later. There are no survivors. Debris from the crash rains into the Atlantic Ocean for more than an hour. It is the worst disaster in the U.S. space program. The space shuttle program is suspended while the accident is investigated.
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Soviet nuclear accident spreads radiation -- April 28, 1986
Clouds of radiation waft across Europe after a reactor at the Soviet nuclear power plant Chernobyl catches fire in a partial meltdown. Moscow shrouds the accident in secrecy, but concedes a problem after radiation is detected in Sweden and elsewhere. Soviet officials admit two deaths at the plant north of Kiev. Within days, Moscow claims it has the accident under control.
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Iran-Contra probe -- December 5-11, 1986
With the Iran-Contra scandal threatening President Reagan, Lt. Col. Oliver North is called before Congress December 9 to explain reports that the administration had traded arms to Iran to sponsor Contra rebels in Nicaragua. The former National Security Council staffer invoked his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination.
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