What Happened on March 31, 1986

Historical Events

  • 167 die when Mexicana Airlines Boeing 727 crashes
  • 48th NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: Louisville beats Duke, 72-69; first tournament to use a shot clock (initially set at 45 seconds)
  • English Hampton Court palace badly damaged by fire, 1 dead
  • Six metropolitan county councils are abolished in England.
1986 History

Famous Birthdays

  • Cveta Majtanović, Serbian singer, winner of Pop Idol
Born in 1986

Famous Deaths

  • Jerry Paris, American director (Happy Days) and actor (The Dick Van Dyke Show- "Jerry"), dies at 60
  • O'Kelly Isley, American singer (Isley Brothers), dies of a heart attack at 48

About March 31, 1986

Day of the Week: Monday
How Long Ago? 37 years, 5 months and 24 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Tiger
Star Sign: Aries

Holidays: Easter Monday (Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom)

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Rock Me Amadeus - Falco
  • UK #1 Song: Living Doll - Cliff Richard & The Young Ones Featuring Hank B Marvin