Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time. Such laws range from abortion being freely available on request, to regulation or restrictions of various kinds, to outright prohibition in all circumstances. Many countries and territories that allow abortion have gestational limits for the procedure depending on the reason; with the majority being up to 12 weeks for abortion on request, up to 24 weeks for rape, incest, or socioeconomic reasons, and more for fetal impairment or risk to the woman's health or life. As of 2025, countries that legally allow abortion on request or for socioeconomic reasons comprise about 60% of the world's population.
Canada's Supreme court declares anti-abortion law unconstitutional
Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time.
Historical Significance
Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time.
Events Before
60 bodies are recovered from the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in Puerto Rico
60 bodies are recovered from the Dupont Plaza Hotel fire in Puerto Rico
Aretha Franklin becomes the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Aretha Louise Franklin ( ə-REE-thə; March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist.
Astronomers at the University of California witness the first observation of the birth of a galaxy
Astronomers at the University of California witness the first observation of the birth of a galaxy
Opera impresario Sir Rudolf Bing (85) weds Carroll Douglass (45); annulled in September, 1989
Opera impresario Sir Rudolf Bing (85) weds Carroll Douglass (45); annulled in September, 1989
Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer shoots and kills himself at a press conference on live national television, sparki
Pennsylvania politician R. Budd Dwyer shoots and kills himself at a press conference on live national television, sparking debate about the boundaries of journalism
Events After
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall falls as East Germany opens its borders, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the beginning of German reunification.
Year of the Young Reader begins
Batman Begins is a 2005 superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman. Directed by Christopher Nolan, who co-wrote the screenplay with David S.
British comedy sketch series "A Bit of Fry and Laurie", starring Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, debuts on BBC1
A Bit of Fry & Laurie is a British sketch comedy television series written by and starring former Cambridge Footlights members Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, broadcast on both BBC1 and BBC2 between…
Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in a
Poland's communist government begins "Round Table" talks with the Solidarity trade union and its leader Lech Wałęsa in an attempt to ease growing social unrest
NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland
NBA power forward Charles Barkley (26) weds legal aide Maureen Blumhardt in Elkton, Maryland
More from the 1980s
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The Berlin Wall falls as East Germany opens its borders, symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the beginning of German reunification.
politics governmentwars conflicts
Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster
The Space Shuttle Challenger breaks apart 73 seconds after launch, killing all seven crew members in one of the most devastating disasters in space exploration history.
space explorationscience technology
The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the
The "Epic in Miami," played in 85°F heat, sees the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff, setting numerous playoff scoring records
death
Bill Veeck dies
Bill Veeck baseball executive, known for american baseball executive, died on 1986-01-02. William Louis Veeck Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 28, 1988?
- Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time. Such laws range from abortion being freely available on request, to regulation or restrictions of various kinds, to outright prohibition in all circumstances. Many countries and territories that allow abortion have gestational limits for the procedure depending on the reason; with the majority being up to 12 weeks for abortion on request, up to 24 weeks for rape, incest, or socioeconomic reasons, and more for fetal impairment or risk to the woman's health or life.
- Why is Canada's Supreme court declares anti-abortion law unconstitutional significant?
- Abortion laws vary widely among countries and territories, and have changed over time.