January 1987

Thursday 01:

The city of Frobisher Bay, in Canada's Northwest Territories, changes its name to Iqaluit.

Saturday 03:

Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Sunday 04:

An Amtrak train en route to Boston from Washington, DC collides with Conrail engines, killing 16.

Monday 05:

President of the United States Ronald Reagan undergoes prostate surgery causing worries about his health.

Thursday 08:

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gains 8.30 to close at 2,002.25 -- The Dow's first close above 2,000.

Tuesday 20:

Church of England envoy Terry Waite is kidnapped in Lebanon.

Thursday 22:

Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer commits suicide on national television.

Saturday 24:

In Lebanon, gunmen kidnap Alann Steen, Jesse Turner, Robert Polhill and Mitheleshwar Singh.

Sunday 25:

Super Bowl XXI: The New York Giants beat the Denver Broncos, 39-20.