Step Into 1986: 30 Photos That Capture the Spirit of the Times
From the world watching in horror as the Challenger space shuttle exploded to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster that upended millions of lives, 1986 was a year for the history books.
But it wasn’t all tragic. There were also moments that brought people together, like when millions joined hands from coast to coast to take a stance against hunger in “Hands Across America.” In living rooms across the country, a young Oprah Winfrey was also reshaping daytime TV with a warmth and charisma that made viewers feel like they were talking to an old friend over a cup of tea.
Whether you lived through it or are feeling nostalgic, here are 30 vintage photos that capture the highs and lows of 1986.
1. On Jan. 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger Exploded Just 73 Seconds After Takeoff, Killing All Seven Crew Members on Board
2. Downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan
3. ‘Oprah Winfrey at Age 32 During an Oscar Luncheon in 1986’
4. Julian and Sean Lennon Attend the First Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Jan. 23, 1986, in New York City
5. ‘I Ruined This Family Photo in 1986.’ Mom Sure Did Not Look Pleased
6. A Young Uma Thurman
7. Colorized Image of This Iconic Madonna Photoshoot
8. Just a Couple of High School Friends Hanging Out
9. Millions of Americans Form a Human Chain for ‘Hands Across America’ To Raise Awareness for Hunger and Homelessness
10. US President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan Join ‘Hands Across America’ Participants at the White House
11. Behind the Scenes of ‘Top Gun’
12. A Memorial Honoring the Victims of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster in Ukraine
13. A More Detailed View of the Devastation at Reactor 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant Following the Explosion
14. Madonna During the Filming of the ‘True Blue’ Music Video
15. ‘Michigan High School Girls, Circa 1986.’ So. Much. Hair.
16. Playing Chess in New York City
17. Freddy Mercury of Queen Performs in Front of 120,000 Fans for the Band’s Final Concert Together at Wembley Stadium in England
18. Michael Jackson on the Set of His ‘Bad’ Music Video
19. ‘My Mom in Los Angeles, California, 1986’
20. Metallica Performs to a Packed Arena During the 1986 ‘Monsters of Rock’ Tour
21. A Billboard in Times Square Advertising Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Cobra’ Film
22. Queen Performing in Zurich, Switzerland, During the Band’s Last Magic Tour. Fans Said This Was One of the Band’s ‘Worst’ Live Shows
23. On Sept. 8, 1986, Oprah Made Her National Debut as the ‘Oprah Winfrey Show’ Premiered on TV
24. The Mir Space Station Seen Orbiting Above Earth. The Soviet-Made Space Station Was in Operation From 1986 to 2001
25. ‘1986 – College. Last Weekend of Drinking Age Being 18’
26. Walt Disney World’s 15th Anniversary
27. Lights Shining Bright on the Las Vegas Strip
28. ‘Camping Near Niagara Falls, Ontario, Summer 1986’
29. Argentina’s Diego Maradona Scores the Famous ‘Hand of God’ Goal Against England During the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico City
30. ‘Halley’s Comet Seen Just Outside Canberra, Feb. 1986’
Interested in more 1980s content?
If you’re looking for particular years, check out 31 Throwback Photos That Perfectly Capture the Vibe of 1983, These 31 Vintage Photos Will Instantly Transport You to 1985, and These 31 Throwback Photos Perfectly Capture 1989.