Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
1989 The Montreal Protocol came into force, marking a global effort to protect the ozone layer by phasing out harmful chemicals.
1989 During the Second Gulf of Sidra encounter, U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcats engaged in aerial combat, successfully downing Libyan MiG-23 "Floggers."
1989 Satwant Singh and Kehar Singh were sentenced to death for their conspiracy in the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
1989 Kegworth air disaster: British Midland Flight 92 crashes, killing 47 of 126 people on board.
1989 The notorious serial killer Ted Bundy, responsible for over 30 known victims, meets his end in the electric chair at Florida State Prison, marking a significant moment in criminal justice.
1989 Hungary boldly forges diplomatic relations with South Korea, becoming the first Eastern Bloc nation to initiate such ties.
1989 The closure of the American embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 1989 marked a chapter in the nation's complex and turbulent history.
1989 After a stroke two weeks previously, South African President P. W. Botha resigns as leader of the National Party but stays on as president for six more months.
1989 A military coup overthrows Alfredo Stroessner, dictator of Paraguay since 1954.
1989 Independent Air Flight 1851 meets a tragic end as it strikes Pico Alto mountain on approach to Santa Maria Airport in the Azores, resulting in the loss of all 144 passengers on board.
1989 Ron Brown's election as chairman of the Democratic National Committee signifies a historic milestone, as he becomes the first African American to lead a major U.S. political party.
1989 Union Carbide agrees to pay $470 million to the Indian government as compensation for the damages caused in the 1984 Bhopal disaster, a significant legal settlement.
1989 Iranian leader Ruhollah Khomeini issues a fatwa encouraging Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, the author of The Satanic Verses, leading to global controversy and debate on free speech.
1989 The Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan begins, ending a turbulent chapter in history.
1989 Malaysia experiences a somber day as Flying Tiger Line Flight 66 crashes into a hill near Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, resulting in the loss of four lives.
1989 United Airlines Flight 811, bound for New Zealand from Honolulu, rips open during flight, blowing nine passengers out of the business-class section.
1989 In a landmark environmental decision in 1989, twelve European Community nations united to ban the production of all chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by the end of the century, a crucial step in preserving the ozone layer.
1989 Diplomatic relations between Iran and the United Kingdom ruptured over the Salman Rushdie controversy and his controversial novel, The Satanic Verses, shaping the narrative of freedom of expression and international diplomacy.
1989 Tragedy struck as Air Ontario Flight 1363, a Fokker F-28 Fellowship, crashed at Dryden Regional Airport in Ontario, Canada, resulting in 24 fatalities.
1989 A transformative moment in technology unfolds as Sir Tim Berners-Lee submits his proposal to CERN for an information management system, setting the stage for the World Wide Web's creation.
1989 Taba, Egypt, witnessed the raising of the Egyptian flag, signifying the end of Israeli occupation since the Six Days War in 1967 and the resumption of Egyptian sovereignty.
1989 Transbrasil Flight 801 crashed near São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport, claiming 25 lives and highlighting the importance of aviation safety.
1989 Margaret Thatcher introduces the Community Charge, popularly known as the "poll tax," in Scotland, sparking widespread controversy and protests against the new local government tax.
1989 Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's arrival in Havana, Cuba, on April 2, 1989, to meet with Fidel Castro aimed to mend strained relations between the two nations during the late stages of the Cold War.
1989 The US Supreme Court upholds the jurisdictional rights of tribal courts under the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 in Mississippi Choctaw Band v. Holyfield.
1989 Tragedy strikes as the Soviet submarine Komsomolets sinks in the Barents Sea off Norway's coast, claiming the lives of 42 sailors.
1989 Tbilisi becomes the backdrop for a tragic event as an anti-Soviet peaceful demonstration and hunger strike demanding the restoration of Georgian independence are forcibly dispersed by the Soviet Army, leading to a somber tally of 20 deaths and hundreds of injuries.
1989 A devastating tragedy strikes the USS Iowa as a gun turret explosion claims the lives of 47 sailors, leaving a somber mark on naval history.
1989 The gathering of 100,000 students in Tiananmen Square to commemorate Hu Yaobang reflects the yearning for political change in China during the late 1980s.
1989 In 1989, Central Bangladesh experienced the deadliest known tornado, claiming the lives of upwards of 1,300 people, injuring 12,000, and leaving as many as 80,000 homeless. This tragic event highlighted the region's vulnerability to natural disasters.
1989 The People's Daily published the April 26 Editorial in 1989, inflaming the nascent Tiananmen Square protests in China, setting the stage for a historic and influential pro-democracy movement.
1989 The April 27 demonstrations, spearheaded by students in response to the April 26 Editorial, become a pivotal moment during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, echoing demands for change and reform.
1989 The Cold War saw a significant development as Hungary began dismantling its border fence with Austria, facilitating the defection of East Germans.
1989 The San Bernardino train disaster claimed four lives in 1989, a calamity followed by an underground gasoline pipeline explosion a week later, resulting in the loss of two more lives in a series of tragic events.
1989 Tiananmen Square in Beijing became a focal point for large groups of students demanding political reform and democratic change in China. Their hunger strike marked a significant chapter in the nation's history.
1989 The declaration of martial law by Chinese authorities in response to pro-democracy demonstrations set the stage for the tragic Tiananmen Square massacre, a watershed moment in modern Chinese history with lasting repercussions.
1989 May 29th, 1989, saw the signing of an agreement between Egypt and the United States. This agreement facilitated the manufacture of parts of the F-16 jet fighter plane in Egypt, marking a significant milestone in the nations' bilateral relations and military cooperation.
1989 During the Tiananmen Square protests, students unveil the towering "Goddess of Democracy" statue, symbolizing their fervent call for political reform in China.
1989 Tiananmen Square becomes a symbol of defiance as the Chinese government deploys troops to forcibly remove protesters, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history.
1989 Iran experienced a leadership transition in 1989 when Ali Khamenei was elected as the new Supreme Leader of Iran following the death and funeral of Ruhollah Khomeini.
1989 Tragedy struck in Beijing in 1989 as the People's Liberation Army suppressed the Tiananmen Square protests, resulting in a significant loss of life and leaving an indelible mark on Chinese history.
1989 The year 1989 witnessed a wave of change in Eastern Europe as Solidarity's victory in the Polish legislative election marked the beginning of the Revolutions of 1989, leading to political transformations across the region.
1989 A devastating natural gas explosion near Ufa, Russia, claimed the lives of 575 individuals in 1989 as two trains passing each other inadvertently ignited sparks near a leaky pipeline, resulting in a catastrophic disaster.
1989 The world watched in awe as the Tank Man courageously halted a column of advancing tanks for over half an hour during the Tiananmen Square protests, symbolizing the enduring spirit of resistance.
1989 Surinam Airways Flight 764 meets a tragic fate due to pilot error as it crashes on approach to Paramaribo-Zanderij International Airport, claiming the lives of 176 of the 187 people on board.
1989 Imre Nagy, the former Hungarian prime minister, is reburied in Budapest amidst the collapse of Communism in Hungary, symbolizing the nation's journey toward democracy.
1989 Tragedy struck in 1989 when Interflug Flight 102 crashed during a rejected takeoff from Berlin Schönefeld Airport, resulting in the loss of 21 lives.
1989 In 1989, the U.S. Supreme Court made a landmark ruling in Texas v. Johnson. The court affirmed that American flag-burning is a form of political protest protected by the First Amendment, setting a precedent for freedom of expression in the United States.
1989 Jiang Zemin assumes the role of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, succeeding Zhao Ziyang, following the tumultuous events of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the subsequent military crackdown, marking a pivotal moment in modern Chinese political history.
1989 On the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo, Slobodan Milošević delivered the Gazimestan speech at the historic battlefield, a speech that held significant nationalist and historical resonance in the Balkans.
1989 A pivotal moment in Sudanese history occurred in 1989 when a coup d'état deposed the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi and President Ahmed al-Mirghani, altering the nation's political landscape.
1989 Significant events unfolded in Iran, reshaping the nation's political landscape and contributing to its complex history during this period.
1989 The groundbreaking B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber takes to the skies for its maiden flight, ushering in a new era of aviation and military capabilities.
1989 Diplomatic history is made as the Holy See and Vatican City establish official diplomatic relations, marking a significant moment in the Vatican's international presence.
1989 The crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in Sioux City, Iowa, in 1989 AD claimed 111 lives, prompting extensive investigations into aviation safety.
1989 On July 20, 1989, Burma's ruling junta placed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest, a pivotal moment in the political struggles of Myanmar.
1989 A significant development in the realm of cybersecurity takes place as a federal grand jury indicts Cornell University student Robert T. Morris, Jr. for releasing the Morris worm, marking the first prosecution under the 1986 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
1989 In 1989, a tragic aviation accident occurred when Korean Air Flight 803 attempted to land at Tripoli International Airport in Libya. The flight crashed just short of the runway, resulting in the loss of seventy-five of the 199 passengers and crew on board, as well as four people on the ground. This marked the second accident involving a DC-10 in less than two weeks, underscoring the challenges faced by the aviation industry.
1989 Pakistan's re-admittance to the Commonwealth of Nations marked a significant diplomatic milestone, reflecting the nation's restoration of democracy after a prolonged period of turmoil.
1989 A distressing massacre, carried out by the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka, led to the tragic loss of 64 ethnic Tamil civilians, highlighting the complexities of the Sri Lankan civil conflict.
1989 The tragic plane crash in Ethiopia claimed the life of U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland and 15 others, leaving a void in American politics.
1989 Space Shuttle Columbia embarks on a secret five-day military mission as part of the Space Shuttle program, venturing into the unknown realms of space exploration.
1989 A solar particle event disrupts computer systems at the Toronto Stock Exchange, compelling a temporary halt to trading and underscoring the vulnerabilities of modern financial markets.
1989 The assassination of leading presidential hopeful Luis Carlos Galán near Bogotá, Colombia, shakes the nation's political landscape, sparking investigations and raising questions about political violence and security.
1989 Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski takes a historic step by nominating Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki as the first non-communist prime minister in 42 years, signaling a pivotal moment in Poland's political transformation.
1989 The Pan-European Picnic sparks a wave of hope as several hundred East Germans seize the opportunity to cross the border between Hungary and Austria, a precursor to the imminent Fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany.
1989 A pleasure boat named the Marchioness tragically sank on the River Thames following a collision, leading to the loss of 51 lives. This event underscored the importance of safety measures on waterways.
1989 Nolan Ryan's historic achievement of 5,000 strikeouts in Major League Baseball stands as a testament to his prowess on the pitcher's mound.
1989 The Singing Revolution reached a critical juncture on August 23, 1989, as two million people from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania gathered in Vilnius, Lithuania, demanding their right to independence from Soviet rule through peaceful protest and song.
1989 Colombian drug barons declare "total war" against the Colombian government, further escalating the drug-related violence and conflicts in the country.
1989 Tadeusz Mazowiecki makes history by becoming the first non-communist prime minister in Central and Eastern Europe, marking a significant moment in the region's transition to democracy.
1989 Voyager 2 spacecraft's closest approach to Neptune offers unprecedented insights into the distant gas giant, expanding our knowledge of the outer reaches of the solar system.
1989 The mysterious disappearance of Pakistan International Airlines Flight 404 over the Himalayas after takeoff from Gilgit Airport remains an unsolved aviation mystery.
1989 : Vietnam Airlines Flight 815 (Tupolev Tu-134) tragically crashed on approach into Phnom Penh airport, claiming the lives of 64 individuals. This aviation disaster serves as a somber reminder of the perils of air travel.
1989 Leipzig, East Germany, becomes the epicenter of change as weekly demonstrations for the legalization of opposition groups and democratic reforms ignite.
1989 The tragic crash of Partnair Flight 394 revealed the shocking truth about sub-standard aircraft components, triggering widespread changes in aviation safety standards.
1989 Hungary announces the freedom of East German refugees housed in temporary camps, allowing them to leave for West Germany, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the collapse of the Iron Curtain.
1989 On this day in 1989, South Africa witnessed a historic moment as the largest anti-Apartheid march took place, led by the renowned Desmond Tutu. This monumental demonstration against apartheid policies echoed the call for justice, equality, and the dismantling of racial segregation.
1989 The tragic Standard Gravure shooting, where Joseph T. Wesbecker killed several people before committing suicide, shocked the nation and underscored the issue of workplace violence.
1989 A bomb destroys UTA Flight 772 in mid-air above the Tùnùrù Desert, Niger, killing all 170 passengers and crew.
1989 USAir Flight 5050 crashes into Bowery Bay during a rejected takeoff from LaGuardia Airport, leading to a tragic aviation incident.
1989 Denmark pioneers legal same-sex registered partnerships, setting a global precedent for LGBTQ+ rights and marking a historic milestone on the path to equality and recognition for all.
1989 A suppressed coup attempt in Panama City results in the execution of 11 participants, leaving a lasting impact on the nation's political landscape.
1989 Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky achieves a historic feat by becoming the all-time leading points scorer in the NHL, solidifying his legacy in the sport.
1989 The Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989 shook the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Coast, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
1989 The East German Politburo's decision to remove Erich Honecker as General Secretary in 1989 marked a crucial moment in the process of German reunification.
1989 The Court of Appeal of England and Wales quashes the convictions of the Guildford Four after they spent 15 years in prison, highlighting miscarriages of justice.
1989 A catastrophic disaster strikes Honduras as 131 lives are tragically lost when a Boeing 727 crashes during its approach to Toncontín International Airport near the nation's capital, Tegucigalpa.
1989 The Hungarian Republic officially replaced the communist Hungarian People's Republic, marking a significant political transformation in Hungary's history.
1989 A financial crisis unfolded as Wärtsilä Marine declared bankruptcy, becoming the largest bankruptcy case in the Nordic countries up to that point.
1989 A catastrophic explosion rocked the Houston Chemical Complex in Pasadena, Texas, registering a 3.5 on the Richter magnitude scale and resulting in 23 fatalities and 314 injuries.
1989 The tragic crash of China Airlines Flight 204 in 1989, shortly after takeoff from Hualien Airport in Taiwan, claimed the lives of all 54 people on board.
1989 On November 7, 1989, Douglas Wilder achieved a historic milestone by winning the governor's seat in Virginia, becoming the first African American governor in the United States.
1989 David Dinkins made history on November 7, 1989, as he became the first African American to be elected Mayor of New York City, a significant moment in the city's political landscape.
1989 On November 7, 1989, East German Prime Minister Willi Stoph and his entire cabinet were compelled to resign in the wake of massive anti-government protests that signaled a pivotal moment in the country's history.
1989 The Cold War took a dramatic turn on November 9, 1989, as East Germany opened checkpoints in the Berlin Wall, allowing citizens to travel freely to West Berlin. This event marked a symbolic end to the division of Germany and the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
1989 Bulgaria witnesses a seismic political shift as Todor Zhivkov, a longtime leader, is ousted from office, making way for Petar Mladenov, marking a transformative moment in the nation's political history.
1989 A symbol of division and oppression, the Berlin Wall begins to crumble as Germans come together to dismantle the barrier, paving the way for the reunification of East and West Germany, heralding a new era of unity.
1989 Hans-Adam II's ascension to the throne of Liechtenstein following his father's death marked a new era for the principality and its monarchy.
1989 A tragic event unfolded in 1989 as El Salvadoran army troops took the lives of six Jesuit priests and two others at Jose Simeon Canas University.
1989 The Velvet Revolution commences in Czechoslovakia as a student demonstration in Prague is met with force by riot police. This event sparks a nationwide uprising aimed at overthrowing the communist government, ultimately succeeding in December.
1989 Prague becomes a symbol of hope as the Velvet Revolution swells with protesters, embodying the triumph of peaceful resistance.
1989 A devastating bomb explosion rocked West Beirut in 1989, targeting the motorcade of Lebanese President René Moawad. Tragically, the blast claimed the life of the president, leaving a void in the leadership of Lebanon and further complicating the country's tumultuous political landscape.
1989 After a week of mass protests known as the Velvet Revolution, Miloš Jakeš and the entire Politburo of the Czechoslovak Communist Party resign from office, marking the end of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia.
1989 A devastating event unfolds as Avianca Flight 203, a Boeing 727, explodes in mid-air over Colombia, leading to the tragic loss of all 107 people on board and three on the ground, with the Medellín Cartel claiming responsibility.
1989 The Velvet Revolution unfolds as the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia relinquishes its monopoly on political power in response to widespread protests, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's transition to democracy.
1989 The Philippines grapples with instability as the Reform the Armed Forces Movement attempts a coup to oust President Corazon Aquino.
1989 A pivotal moment in the Cold War as East Germany's parliament abolishes the constitutional provision granting the Communist Party a leading role.
1989 The Peace Agreement of Hat Yai's signing and ratification ended Malaysia's over two-decade-long communist insurgency through diplomatic means.
1989 Off the coast of Malta, U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev release statements signaling the possible end of the Cold War, a historic turning point in global geopolitics.
1989 Tragedy strikes at the École Polytechnique in Montreal as a deeply disturbed gunman, Marc Lépine, perpetrates the heinous École Polytechnique massacre, claiming the lives of 14 young women, igniting a nationwide outcry for change.
1989 In 1989, Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj announced the establishment of the Mongolian Democratic Union during Mongolia's first open pro-democracy public demonstration, marking a significant step in the country's transition towards democracy.
1989 The Troubles in Northern Ireland took a violent turn on December 13, 1989, with the Provisional Irish Republican Army launching an attack on a British Army temporary vehicle checkpoint near Rosslea, resulting in casualties among British soldiers.
1989 A critical step toward human rights progress is taken as the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, relating to the abolition of capital punishment, is adopted.
1989 The Romanian Revolution commenced on December 16, 1989, when protests erupted in Timișoara, Romania, in response to the government's attempt to evict dissident Hungarian pastor László Tőkés, setting in motion a series of events that led to significant political change.
1989 Timișoara, Romania, became a battleground as protesters attempted to set fire to the Romanian Communist Party's District Committee building during the tumultuous Romanian Revolution.
1989 In Brazil, Fernando Collor de Mello's victory over Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva marked a historic moment, ending nearly 30 years of democratic absence in the presidential office.
1989 "Television screens across America lit up as ""The Simpsons"" premiered with the heartwarming episode, ""Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire,"" introducing the world to a beloved animated family."
1989 The United States intervenes in Panama, toppling Manuel Noriega in a decisive military operation that reshapes the nation's destiny.
1989 Romania experiences a seismic shift as the Communist President Nicolae Ceaușescu is toppled by Ion Iliescu after days of fierce confrontations, marking the end of a repressive regime.
1989 Berlin's Brandenburg Gate reopens, signaling the reunification of East and West Germany, a momentous occasion that marks the end of the Cold War division in Europe.
1989 The Romanian Revolution concludes with the condemnation and execution of President Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife Elena after a summary trial.
1989 The tragic crash of United Express Flight 2415 on approach to the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington, claimed the lives of all six people on board, leaving a lasting impact on aviation safety.
1989 The Romanian Revolution reaches its conclusion in Bucharest, marking the end of street confrontations and shootings, and paving the way for a new era in Romanian history.
1989 A powerful magnitude 5.6 earthquake strikes Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, tragically claiming the lives of 13 individuals.
1989 Václav Havel, a prominent Czech writer, philosopher, and dissident, achieved a historic milestone by being elected as the first post-communist President of Czechoslovakia, marking a new era of governance.
1989 The Tokyo Stock Exchange witnessed a historic apex as the Nikkei 225 reached its all-time intra-day high, marking the zenith of the Japanese asset price bubble that would later burst.
1989 The Round Table Talks commence in Poland, marking the symbolic beginning of communism's downfall in Eastern Europe, setting the stage for transformative political change in the region.
1989 Prince William Sound in Alaska became the site of a devastating environmental disaster on March 24, 1989, when the Exxon Valdez ran aground, spilling 240,000 barrels of crude oil and leaving an indelible mark on the region's ecosystem.
1989 The Hillsborough disaster unfolded tragically, resulting in a deadly human crush during the FA Cup Semi-final, leaving 97 Liverpool fans to be remembered and mourned.
1989 Following the death of Hu Yaobang, the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 ignited in China, becoming a symbol of the pursuit of political change and freedom.
