On this day

December 4, 1987

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

Historical Context for December 4, 1987

In 1987, the world population was approximately 5,049,746,397 people^[†]

Notable Births

1987Orlando Brown, American actor and rapper^[†]

Orlando Brown is an American actor, rapper and singer. He is best known for his roles as Eddie Thomas on That's So Raven, Cadet Kevin "Tiger" Dunne in Major Payne, Nelson in The Jamie Foxx Show, 3J Winslow on Family Matters, and Max on Two of a Kind. He was the title protagonist on both the Waynehead and Fillmore! animated series. He also played Sticky Webb in The Proud Family. In 2023, Brown was cast in the second season of the Zeus Network reality television show Bad Boys: Texas.

Notable Deaths

1987Arnold Lobel, American author and illustrator (born 1933)^[†]

Arnold Stark Lobel was an American author of children's books, including the Frog and Toad series and Mouse Soup. He wrote and illustrated these picture books as well as Fables, a 1981 Caldecott Medal winner for best-illustrated U.S. picture book. Lobel also illustrated books by other writers, including Sam the Minuteman by Nathaniel Benchley.

1987Rouben Mamoulian, Armenian-American director and screenwriter (born 1897)^[†]

Rouben Zachary Mamoulian was an Armenian-American film and theater director.

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Headlines from December 4, 1987

Gorbachev a Hit With the American Public ... But He Sees a U.S. Torn By Injustice and Exploitation

By Philip Taubman, Special To the New York Times

LEAD: As Mikhail S. Gorbachev prepares for his first visit to Washington next week, his vision of America seems out of sync with the views of an increasing number of his countrymen.

Foreign Desk1301 words

Cubans End 11-Day Prison Siege In Atlanta, Freeing All Hostages

By Ronald Smothers, Special To the New York Times

LEAD: Rebellious Cuban prisoners ended an 11-day uprising at the Federal penitentiary here early this morning and began freeing their 89 hostages.

National Desk1061 words

WEEKENDER GUIDE

By Andrew L. Yarrow

LEAD: Friday CHRISTMAS AT THE MET

Weekend Desk1112 words

For Bush, a Strong Pat From the Chief

By Special to the New York Times

LEAD: President Reagan, who has not given a formal endorsement to Vice President Bush's campaign for the White House, today gave him a firm political pat on the back.

National Desk182 words

Court Record In Sex Case Is Examined

By Thomas Morgan

LEAD: The administrative judge for the New York City criminal courts, beginning an inquiry into allegations that a judge humiliated the complainant in a sexual misconduct trial, examined the record of the trial yesterday.

Metropolitan Desk1283 words

BUSINESS DIGEST: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1987

By Unknown Author

LEAD: International

Financial Desk700 words

Corrupt or Not, Ex-Mayor Gets Hero's Welcome

By Michael Winerip

LEAD: Everyone loves to make jokes about the stupendous history of corruption in Hudson County. Say what you want, people here know how to welcome home a politician from prison.

Metropolitan Desk926 words

Gorbachev a Hit With the American Public. . .

By R. W. Apple Jr., Special To the New York Times

LEAD: Mikhail S. Gorbachev has impressed the American public, winning twice as many favorable opinions as negative ones, and has persuaded a solid majority that he is opening up the Soviet system.

Foreign Desk1842 words

INSIDE

By Unknown Author

LEAD: U.N. Effort on Gulf Falters

Metropolitan Desk164 words

Relics of Carthage in New Exhibition

By Malcolm W. Browne

LEAD: THIRTEEN centuries have elapsed since the Islamic invasion of North Africa obliterated ancient Carthage. But reminders of the striking blend of artistic genius and institutional cruelty that characterized the Carthaginians have survived, and a new exhibition at the American Museum of Natural History brings both the beauty and the horror of Carthage into sharp focus.

Weekend Desk1039 words

Will Shearson-Hutton Be No. 1?

By Kenneth N. Gilpin

LEAD: For years, executives at Wall Street's big retail brokerages have worked at creating a financial powerhouse that can create imaginative deals with one hand and market them far and wide with the other.

Financial Desk1100 words

U.S. Vehicle Sales Post A 9.9% Rise

By Philip E. Ross, Special To the New York Times

LEAD: Sales of American-made cars and light trucks rose 9.9 percent in the last 10 days of November, the eight domestic manufacturers reported today.

Financial Desk885 words