Cold War Developments:
- The Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union continued, with both superpowers trying to gain strategic advantages.
Space Exploration:
- The Soviet Union achieved the first successful landing of a spacecraft on the planet Venus.
Chernobyl Disaster:
- The world was shaken by the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster in Ukraine, which released a large amount of radioactive material into the environment.
Technological Advancements:
- Windows 1.0, Microsoft's first operating system with a graphical user interface, was released.
Live Aid Concert:
- The international Live Aid concert took place in London and Philadelphia to raise funds for famine relief in Africa.
Falklands War Ends:
- The conflict between the United Kingdom and Argentina over the Falkland Islands ended, with the UK regaining control of the islands.
India's Prime Minister Assassinated:
- Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India was assassinated by her bodyguards in New Delhi.
AIDS Crisis Continues:
- The global spread of the AIDS epidemic increased, raising concerns about its impact on public health.
Economic Reforms:
- China launched its economic reforms and open-door policies, setting the stage for its rapid economic growth.
Iran-Iraq War:
- The eight-year conflict between Iran and Iraq continued with no clear resolution in sight.
Fall of Apartheid in South Africa:
- Pressure mounted on South Africa's apartheid system as international condemnation intensified and anti-apartheid movements grew stronger.
Cultural Events:
- "We Are the World," a charity song produced by American singers for famine relief, became an international hit and a symbol of social unity.
Scientific Discoveries:
- The first discovery of exoplanets, planets orbiting stars other than the Sun, was made by astronomers using radial velocity measurements.
These are just a few of the notable world events that occurred in 1985.