A total lunar eclipse took place on October 17, 1986.
This eclipse is the third of four Metonic cycle lunar eclipses on the same date, October 17–18, each separated by 19 years:
The Metonic cycle repeats nearly exactly every 19 years and represents a Saros cycle plus one lunar year. Because it occurs on the same calendar date, the Earth's shadow will in nearly the same location relative to the background stars.