1983...Strategic Defense Initiative: U.S. President Ronald Reagan makes his initial proposal to develop technology to intercept enemy missiles. The media dub this plan “Star Wars.” The U.S. Embassy is bombed in Beirut, killing 63 people. Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space, on the Space Shuttle Challenger first US woman astronaut in space as a crew member aboard space shuttle Challenger (June 18). US admits shielding former Nazi Gestapo chief Klaus Barbie, 69, the "butcher of Lyon," wanted in France for war crimes
