Year 1990 in History

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

New Zealand bowler Richard Hadlee takes his 400th Test cricket wicket, dismissing Sanjay Manjrekar, becoming the first t

New Zealand bowler Richard Hadlee takes his 400th Test cricket wicket, dismissing Sanjay Manjrekar, becoming the first to reach the milestone

British comic actor Rowan Atkinson (35) weds Sunetra Sastry in New York

Nelson Mandela is released after 27 years of imprisonment in South Africa

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and statesman who was the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.

"The Batman Theme" by Danny Elfman wins Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Composition at 32nd Annual Grammy Awards

The 32nd Annual Grammy Awards were held on February 21, 1990, and hosted by Garry Shandling. They recognized accomplishments by musicians from the previous year.

In the largest art heist in US history, 13 works of art worth over $500 million are stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gar

In the largest art heist in US history, 13 works of art worth over $500 million are stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston

Jack Nicklaus debuts on the Senior PGA Tour with a 71 (-1) in the first round of The Tradition at Desert Mountain and wi

Jack Nicklaus debuts on the Senior PGA Tour with a 71 (-1) in the first round of The Tradition at Desert Mountain and wins the event by four strokes over Gary Player

Guns & Roses' Duff McKagan divorces Mandy Brix, lead singer for Lame Flames

"Twin Peaks" created by David Lynch and starring Kyle MacLachlan premieres on ABC-TV

The third season of the surrealist mystery-horror drama television series Twin Peaks, billed as Twin Peaks: The Return and Twin Peaks: A Limited Event Series, premiered on May 21, 2017, and concluded…

Sketch comedy TV series "In Living Color" premieres on FOX TV

Hubble space telescope is placed into orbit by space shuttle Discovery

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST or Hubble) is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation.

Wrecking cranes begin tearing down the Berlin Wall at the Brandenburg Gate

Edmonton right wing Jari Kurri sets a record for scoring in a Stanley Cup Finals game with 3 goals and 2 assists in a 7-

Edmonton right wing Jari Kurri sets a record for scoring in a Stanley Cup Finals game with 3 goals and 2 assists in a 7-2 win at Boston Garden

Hubble Space Telescope sends its first photographs from space

Mariah Carey's self-titled debut album is released

Mariah Carey is the debut studio album by American singer Mariah Carey, released on June 12, 1990, by Columbia Records.

7.7 Manjil-Rudbar Earthquake with hundreds of aftershocks hits Iran, killing between 35,000 and 50,000 people

The 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake occurred on Thursday, 21 June 1990 at 00:30:14 local time in the Caspian Sea region of northern Iran.

1,426 pilgrims are trampled to death after a panic in a tunnel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

First 'Three Tenors' concert featuring Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti at Baths of Caracalla in Rom

First 'Three Tenors' concert featuring Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti at Baths of Caracalla in Rome; recording becomes world's best-selling classical record

Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Martina Navratilova wins her record ninth Wimbledon singles title, defeating American Zina Gar

Wimbledon Women's Tennis: Martina Navratilova wins her record ninth Wimbledon singles title, defeating American Zina Garrison 6-4, 6-1

Pink Floyd's "The Wall" is performed where the Berlin Wall once stood in a charity concert led by Roger Waters, with gue

Pink Floyd's "The Wall" is performed where the Berlin Wall once stood in a charity concert led by Roger Waters, with guests Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, The Scorpions, Sinéad O'Connor, Bryan Adams, The Band, Van Morrison, The Hooters, and others

US deploys troops to Saudi Arabia, beginning Operation Desert Shield

Bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and the United States began in 1933 when full diplomatic relations were established.

UN Security Council authorizes military action against Iraq for invading Kuwait

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, codenamed Project 17, began on 2 August 1990 and marked the beginning of the Gulf War.

East Germany and West Germany both ratify the reunification plan

German reunification (German: Deutsche Wiedervereinigung), also known as the expansion of the Federal Republic of Germany (BRD), was the process of re-establishing Germany as a single sovereign...

Reunification of East Germany and West Germany; the West German flag is raised above the Brandenburg Gate at the stroke

Reunification of East Germany and West Germany; the West German flag is raised above the Brandenburg Gate at the stroke of midnight

American actors Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis file for divorce after nearly 2 years of marriage

Virginia Elizabeth "Geena" Davis is an American actor. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. Davis made her acting debut in the satirical...

The World Wide Web is first proposed by CERN computer scientists Tim Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau [1]

The World Wide Web (also known as WWW, W3, or simply the Web) is a public interconnected information system that enables content sharing over the Internet.

1st Solheim Cup Women's Golf, Lake Nona G & CC: US beats Europe 11½-4½ in the inaugural event; Kathy Whitworth and Micke

1st Solheim Cup Women's Golf, Lake Nona G & CC: US beats Europe 11½-4½ in the inaugural event; Kathy Whitworth and Mickey Walker are the US and European captains

Pop duo Milli Vanilli are stripped of their Grammy Award after it is learned they did not sing on their award-winning "G

Pop duo Milli Vanilli are stripped of their Grammy Award after it is learned they did not sing on their award-winning "Girl You Know It's True" album

British and French workers meet in the middle of the Channel Tunnel, 40 meters under the English Channel, achieving a ma

British and French workers meet in the middle of the Channel Tunnel, 40 meters under the English Channel, achieving a major engineering feat and fulfilling the long-held dream of linking Britain to Europe

Ted Turner and Jane Fonda announce their engagement

Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa wins Poland's first direct presidential election

Presidential elections were held in Poland on 25 November 1990, with a second round on 9 December.

Labor activist Lech Wałęsa is sworn in as Poland's first popularly elected president

Dow Jones Industrial Average hits record 2,800 (2,810.15)

dead and 700 injured after overloaded passenger train collides with empty freight train in Pakistan

NHL New York Islander Pat Lafontaine sets team record by scoring goals in 11 straight games

Douglas Wilder is inaugurated as Governor of Virginia, becoming the first elected African American governor in the Unite

Douglas Wilder is inaugurated as Governor of Virginia, becoming the first elected African American governor in the United States

In a shrewd move, Detroit Tigers sign first baseman Cecil Fielder who spent previous season in Japan; hits 51 homers thi

In a shrewd move, Detroit Tigers sign first baseman Cecil Fielder who spent previous season in Japan; hits 51 homers this MLB season and becomes a premier power hitter for most of the 1990s

Two members of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International plead guilty to money laundering

Money laundering is the process of illegally concealing the origin of money obtained from illicit activities (often known as dirty money) such as drug trafficking, sex work, terrorism, corruption,...

South Africa says it is reconsidering ban on African National Congress

The African National Congress (ANC) has been the governing party of the Republic of South Africa since 1994.

Police break up protests in Johannesburg against the cricket players defying a boycott on playing in apartheid South Afr

Police break up protests in Johannesburg against the cricket players defying a boycott on playing in apartheid South Africa

Black January - crackdown of Azerbaijani pro-independence demonstrations by Soviet army in Baku

The Soviet Union was formally dissolved as a sovereign state and subject of international law on 26 December 1991 by Declaration No.

Bob Goodenow succeeds Alan Eagleson as NHL players association executive director

Robert Alan Eagleson is a disbarred Canadian lawyer, hockey agent and promoter. Clients that he represented included superstars Bobby Orr and Darryl Sittler.

14th Commonwealth Games open in Auckland, New Zealand

The 1990 Commonwealth Games (Māori: 1990 Taumāhekeheke Commonwealth) were held in Auckland, New Zealand from, 24 January – 3 February 1990.

Avianca Flight 052 runs out of fuel and crashes into a hillside at Cove Neck, New York, killing 8 of the 9 crew members

Avianca Flight 052 runs out of fuel and crashes into a hillside at Cove Neck, New York, killing 8 of the 9 crew members and 65 of the 149 passengers on board

Annular eclipse visible over Antarctica & South Atlantic

"Independent on Sunday" begins publishing in London

Exxon Valdez capt Joseph Hazelwood goes on trial due to oil spill

1st ever all-sports daily "National" begins publishing

South African President F. W. de Klerk promises to free Nelson Mandela and legalizes ANC and 60 other political organiza

South African President F. W. de Klerk promises to free Nelson Mandela and legalizes ANC and 60 other political organizations

10 Israeli tourists murdered near Cairo

Notre Dame becomes 1st team to sell its game to a major network (NBC)

Karachi police kill 22 anti-nationalistic demonstrators

"60 Minutes" commentator Andy Rooney suspended by CBS for racial remarks attributed to him by a gay magazine

"Bradys" return to TV for 6 episodes on CBS TV

The Bradys is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on CBS from February 9 to March 9, 1990.

Perrier Water pulls product from shelf due to benzine in water

50 killed at Inkatha-UDF battle in Natal, South Africa

The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.

Perrier recalls 160 million bottles of sparkling water after traces of benzene, a carcinogen, are found in some

Baseball owners lock out players

The 2021–22 Major League Baseball lockout was the ninth work stoppage in Major League Baseball (MLB) history. It began at 12:01 a.m.

Police kill 8 demonstrators for multi party system in Nepal

1st day India v NZ cricket at Auckland NZ 5-78 at lunch, 9-387 stumps

Ian Smith 173* NZ v India, 136 balls, world record for no 9 bat

Nicaraguans votes out Sandinistas

"Hold On" single released by Wilson Phillips (Billboard Song of the Year 1990)

Wilson Phillips is an American pop vocal group formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The group consists of sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, the daughters of Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys, and Chynna...

Dutch police seize 3,000 kg of cocaine

Benin nullifies its constitution

Greyhound Bus goes on strike

US 65th manned space mission STS 36 (Atlantis 6) returns from space

SR-71 sets a transcontinental record, flying 2,404 miles in 1:08:17

3 passengers killed & 162 injured as subway train derails (Philadelphia)

NYC's Zodiac killer shoots 1st victim, Mario Orosco

Dr Antonia Novello sworn-in as 1st Hispanic and female US Surgeon General

Ice Dance Championship at Halifax won by Klimova & Ponomarenko (Soviet Union)

Lithuania declares its Independence from the Soviet Union

Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe.

LA Raiders announce their return to Oakland

Nicholoas Braithwaite elected premier of Grenada

Fernando Collor de Mello sworn in as President of Brazil

The president of Brazil (Portuguese: presidente do Brasil), officially the president of the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: presidente da República Federativa do Brasil) or simply the...

PBA National Championship Won by Jim Pencak

Jim Pencak of Parma, Ohio is a former professional 10-pin bowler who was a member of the Professional Bowlers Association, bowling on the PBA Tour.

1st free elections in East Germany, Conservatives beat Communists

1st world ice hockey tournament for women held (Ottawa)

The 1990 IIHF Women's World Championships was an international women's ice hockey competition held at Civic Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (now renamed TD Place Arena) from March 19 to 25, in...

"Normal Life" starring Max Gail, Moon Unit and Dweezil Zappa premieres on CBS-TV

Anchorage jury finds Capt Hazelwood not guilty of Valdez oil spill

Former Exxon Valdez Captain Joseph Hazelwood ordered to help clean up Prince William Sound & pay $50,000 in restitution

Former Exxon Valdez Captain Joseph Hazelwood ordered to help clean up Prince William Sound & pay $50,000 in restitution for 1989 oil spill

Indian troops leave Sri Lanka

The Indian intervention in the Sri Lankan civil war was the deployment of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka intended to perform a peacekeeping role.

Fire in illegal NYC social club, kills 87

Bus accidentally touches high voltage wire in Karagpur India; 21 die

Bengal beat Delhi in rained-out cricket Ranji Trophy final on quotient

"Ha!" comedy Channel on cable TV begins transmitting

"Marshall Chronicles" premieres on ABC-TV

BPAA US Open by Ron Palombi Jr

"Capital News" starring Lloyd Bridges premieres on ABC-TV

CUNY/Lehman College, Bronx, opens a branch campus in Hiroshma, Japan

Customs officers in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, say they have seized what they believe to be the barrel of a massive

Customs officers in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom, say they have seized what they believe to be the barrel of a massive gun on a ship bound for Iraq.

1st meeting of East German democratically elected parliament, acknowledges responsibility for the Holocaust and asks for

1st meeting of East German democratically elected parliament, acknowledges responsibility for the Holocaust and asks for forgiveness

4th largest NBA crowd (45,458) see Orlando play at Minneapolis

Greenidge & Haynes make 298 opening stand (v England), combination best

Maximum NY State unemployment benefits raised to $260 per week

Gas explosion on passenger train in Kumrahar India, 80 die

Bankruptcy court forces Frank Lorenzo to give up Eastern Airlines

Contra guerrillas, leftist Sandinistas & incoming government agree to truce n Nicaragua's civil war

8 2/3 inning perfect game pitched by Brian Holman of Oakland A's is spoiled by a home run hit by Ken Philips

"Cartoon All Stars to Rescue" shown on all 4 TV networks

Lebanon release US hostage Robert Polhill after 39 months

Brian Friel's stage drama "Dancing at Lughnasa" opens at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland; later wins Olivier Award,

Brian Friel's stage drama "Dancing at Lughnasa" opens at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin, Ireland; later wins Olivier Award, Tony Award, and Drama Desk Award for Best Play

Hong Kong actress Carina Lau is abducted by Triad members

Carina Lau Kar-ling is a Hong Kong actress and singer. She started her acting career at TVB, before achieving success with her girl-next-door roles in the 1980s' Hong Kong films.

die in a (6.9) earthquake in China

50th annual Barbershop Quartet Singing Convention held in Michigan

Boston Celtics score most points in a playoff, beat NY Knicks 157-128

Craig Lucas' stage drama "Prelude to a Kiss" moves to the Helen Hayes Theatre, NYC; runs for 440 performances

South Africa and the African National Congress open talks to end apartheid

The African National Congress (ANC) has been the governing party of the Republic of South Africa since 1994.

ABC Masters Bowling Tournament won by Chris Warren

Tom Cruise is ticketed for careless operation of a vehicle in South Carolina

Cuyahoga County voters approve sin tax to build Cleveland Gateway

NY Newsday reporter Jimmy Breslin suspended for a racial slur

French TGV-train hits record speed of 510.6 kph (317.3 mph)

Comic Relief USA '90 (4th one) raises $4.7 million

Dominican Republic President Joaquín Ricardo Balaguer re-elected

"Laugh-In" comedienne arrested at JFK airport in New York on an 11-year-old drug warrant

Cost of rescuing savings & loan failures is put at up to $130 billion

A car carrying American Earth First! activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney explodes in Oakland, California, critically

A car carrying American Earth First! activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney explodes in Oakland, California, critically injuring both

China performs nuclear test at Lop Nor, PRC

Radical Democratic Party holds 1st political meetings in Moscow

The Democratic Party is a social democratic political party in Serbia. Srđan Milivojević has led the party as its president since 2024.

"Dave Thomas Comedy Show" debuts on CBS-TV

The Dave Thomas Comedy Show (later simply Dave Thomas) was a sketch-based, half-hour, five-week summer replacement series, which aired on CBS in the summer of 1990.

An earthquake hits Peru, killing over 200

Dow Jones Industrial Average hits a record 2,878.56

63rd National Spelling Bee: Amy Marie Dimak wins spelling fibranne

The 63rd Scripps National Spelling Bee was held in Washington, D.C. at the Capital Hilton on May 30–31, 1990, sponsored by the E.W.

Cowboy Channel on cable TV begins transmitting

"Turtle Power" by Partners In Kryme hits #13

"Turtle Power!" (or simply "Turtle Power") is a song by American hip hop duo Partners in Kryme. The song was released by SBK Records from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack.

3rd Children's Miracle Network Telethon raises $894,560

2nd International Rock Awards

Madonna is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who has received many awards and nominations.

Michael Jackson enters St. John's Hospital and Health Center, near his home, for chest pains after a dance rehearsal and

Michael Jackson enters St. John's Hospital and Health Center, near his home, for chest pains after a dance rehearsal and exercise session

"It's Garry Shandling's Show" last airs on Fox-TV

Burger King begins using Newman's Own Salad Dressing

Federal judge sentenced former national security adviser John M Poindexter to 6 months for making false statements to Co

Federal judge sentenced former national security adviser John M Poindexter to 6 months for making false statements to Congress

Egypt (500-1 longshot) ties favorite the Netherlands 1-1 in World Cup game

Boeing 767-200ER sets a non-stop commercial flight record, flying 9,253 miles nonstop from Seattle to Nairobi, Kenya

Date of the events in the movie Mr Destiny

Mr. Destiny is a 1990 American fantasy comedy film directed by James Orr, and starring Jim Belushi, Linda Hamilton, Michael Caine, Jon Lovitz, Courteney Cox, Jay O. Sanders and Rene Russo.

"U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer peaks at #8

Stanley Kirk Burrell, better known by his stage name MC Hammer (or simply Hammer), is an American rapper and dancer, known for hit songs such as "U Can't Touch This", "Pray", "2 Legit 2 Quit" and...

Nelson & Winnie Mandela visit Leidseplein, Amsterdam

Asteroid Eureka is discovered

5261 Eureka is the first Mars trojan discovered. It was discovered by David H. Levy and Henry Holt at Palomar Observatory on 20 June 1990.

A rally to save TV series "Alien Nation" from cancellation held at Statue of Liberty

"Dave Thomas Comedy Show" last airs on CBS-TV

°F in Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona. With over 1.6 million residents at the 2020 census, Phoenix is the fifth-most populous city in the United States and the...

East Germany and West Germany merge their economies, with the West German Deutsche Mark replacing the East German mark a

East Germany and West Germany merge their economies, with the West German Deutsche Mark replacing the East German mark as the official currency

Liberian President Samuel Kanyon Doe offers to resign in response to rebel incursions in his country; he is later kidnap

Liberian President Samuel Kanyon Doe offers to resign in response to rebel incursions in his country; he is later kidnapped and executed

2 Live Crew release "Banned in the USA" the lyrics quote Star Spangled Banner and Gettysburg Address

France performs nuclear test at Mururoa Atoll

12:34:56 on 7/8/90 (1234567890), a once-in-lifetime moment

NYC police arrest "Dartman" (stabbed over 50 women with darts)

"Howard Stern's Summer Show" premieres on WWOR-TV (NYC)

die in a (7.7) earthquake in the Philippines

The 1990 Luzon earthquake occurred on July 16 at 3:26 p.m. (PST) on the densely populated island of Luzon in the Philippines.

Hussein's Revolutionary Day speech claims Kuwait stole oil from Iraq

BASF plant in Cincinnati explodes in flames, 1 dies

Justice William J. Brennan Jr. resigns from the Supreme Court after 36 years

Goodwill Games II opens in Seattle, Washington

Seattle ( see-AT-əl) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest region of North America.

Grateful Dead keyboardist Brent Mydland performs unexpected last show with the group at the World Music Theater, Tinley

Grateful Dead keyboardist Brent Mydland performs unexpected last show with the group at the World Music Theater, Tinley Park, Illinois

Ms. Magazine hits newsstands again after an 8-month hiatus

General Hospital records its 7,000th episode

Belarus declares independence

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.

Boston Red Sox set a Major League record with 12 doubles in a game

The 1990 Boston Red Sox season was the 90th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished first in the American League East with a record of 88–74.

Five Bank of Credit and Commerce members are found guilty of money laundering

Deutsche Bank AG is a German multinational investment bank and financial services company headquartered in Frankfurt.

Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan records his 300th career victory with an 11-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming

Texas Rangers pitcher Nolan Ryan records his 300th career victory with an 11-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, becoming the 20th MLB pitcher to reach the milestone

British pop-reggae band UB40 is deported from Seychelles after being arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession

Iraq invades and occupies Kuwait, and the Emir flees to Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, codenamed Project 17, began on 2 August 1990 and marked the beginning of the Gulf War.

98.8°F (37.1°C) in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (UK record)

Cheltenham ( CHELT-ən-əm) is a historic spa town and borough adjacent to the Cotswolds in Gloucestershire, England.

95.5°F (35.3°C) is recorded in De Bilt, Netherlands (highest August temperature in the Netherlands)

The Netherlands, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with overseas territories in the Caribbean.

Baltimore Orioles pull off their 10th triple play (1-6-3 vs. Oakland)

Carlton Fisk ties Johnny Bench by hitting 327 home runs as a catcher

Russian spacecraft Soyuz TM-10 launches

Soyuz TM-10 was the tenth expedition to the Russian Space Station Mir.

NASA's Magellan spacecraft arrives at Venus

ArenaBowl IV takes place at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit where the Detroit Drive defeats the Dallas Texans 51-27, with Art

ArenaBowl IV takes place at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit where the Detroit Drive defeats the Dallas Texans 51-27, with Art Schlichter named MVP

12th Annual Macy's Tap-o-mania

Angel's Luis Polonia is 74th to hit an inside-the-park grand slam

At least 150 people die in clashes between the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party in South Africa

The National Party (Afrikaans: Nasionale Party, NP), also known as the Nationalist Party, was a political party in South Africa from 1914 to 1997, which was responsible for the implementation of...

Mark McGwire is first to hit 30 home runs in each of his first 4 seasons

Mark David McGwire, nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 to 2001 for the Oakland Athletics and...

China performs a nuclear test at Lop Nur, PRC

Dodger José Offerman hits a home run in his first at-bat

José Antonio Offerman Dono is a Dominican professional baseball manager and former infielder who most recently served as the manager for the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.

Gene Michael becomes the New York Yankees' general manager, replacing Harding Peterson

Armenia declares independence from the Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was formally dissolved as a sovereign state and subject of international law on 26 December 1991 by Declaration No.

3,500 peacekeepers arrive in Liberia

Liberia, officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast.

Li Hui Rong of China sets the women's triple jump record of 47 ft 8½ in (14.54 m)

Bo Jackson hits the fourth of four consecutive home runs

Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is an American former professional baseball and football player.

Rosa Mota wins the women's marathon (2:31:27) at the European Championships in Split, Croatia

Chicago Cubs' Ryne Sandberg is the first second baseman to hit 30 home runs in consecutive seasons

Ryne Dee Sandberg (September 18, 1959 – July 28, 2025), nicknamed "Ryno", was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager.

C-5 transport plane crashes at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, killing 13

Ramstein Air Base (IATA: RMS, ICAO: ETAR) is a United States Air Force installation located in Rhineland-Palatinate, southwestern Germany.

Tatarstan announces its sovereignty with the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Tatar Soviet Socialist Republic

Tatarstan, officially the Republic of Tatarstan, sometimes also called Tataria, is a republic of Russia located in Eastern Europe.

Toronto Argonauts beat BC Lions 68-43 at the Skydome in Toronto for the highest combined score (111) in Canadian Footbal

Toronto Argonauts beat BC Lions 68-43 at the Skydome in Toronto for the highest combined score (111) in Canadian Football League history

Steven Allen is installed as new abbot of Hartford St Zen Center, San Francisco, California; serves for one year

Helen Hudson sings the national anthem in the 26th park of the year, San Diego

Jerry Lewis's 25th Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $44,172,186

A US citizen is shot in Kuwait, and oil markets surge due to aggressive US statements toward Iraq

Shortly after the September 11 attacks, the United States under the administration of George W.

Ellis Island Historical Site opens on Ellis Island, New York City

Ellis Island is an island in New York Harbor, within the U.S. states of New Jersey and New York. Owned by the U.S.

US, United Kingdom, France, USSR, and East and West Germany sign agreements allowing the two Germanys to merge

East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), was a country in Central Europe from its formation on 7 October 1949 until its reunification with West Germany (Federal Republic of...

Ken Griffey, Sr & Jr, hit back-to-back HRs in 1st inning

Chicago White Sox Bobby Thigpen is 1st to record 50 saves

The 1990 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 91st season. They finished with a record of 94–68, good enough for second place in the American League West, 9 games behind of the first place...

Newspaper Guild votes 242-35 to keep NY Post publishing

A 500-pound, 6-foot Hershey's Kiss is displayed at 1 Times Square, New York City

MLB Commissioner Faye Vincent turns down Chicago White Sox bid to reinstate 68-year-old Minnie Miñoso

Andre Dawson steals his 300th base and is the only player other than Willie Mays to have 300 home runs, 300 steals, and

Andre Dawson steals his 300th base and is the only player other than Willie Mays to have 300 home runs, 300 steals, and 2,000 hits

PBS begins an 11-hour miniseries on the Civil War

East Germany leaves the Warsaw Pact

The first flag of East Germany was a tricolour of black, red and gold, identical to the flags of the Weimar Republic, West Germany, and present-day Germany.

First eight New York Yankees hit safely against Baltimore Orioles to tie record

The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division.

Motion Picture Association of America creates new NC-17 rating

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is an American trade association representing the major film studios of the United States, the mini-major Amazon MGM Studios, as well as the video streaming...

American punk rocker Dee Dee Ramone is arrested for marijuana possession in Washington Square Park, New York City

Exiled emir of Kuwait visits the White House

Kuwait, officially the State of Kuwait, is a country in West Asia. It is situated at the head of the Persian Gulf in the northeastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Iraq to the north and...

Marvin Gaye receives a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame

Marvin Pentz Gaye Jr. (né Gay; April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer.

"(Can't Live Without Your) Love and Affection" by Nelson peaks at #1 on US pop singles chart

Nelson is an American hard rock duo consisting of brothers Matthew and Gunnar Nelson. They are the twin sons of Rick Nelson and Kristin Nelson.

MLB Chicago White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in the last game at Comiskey Park, Chicago

Comiskey Park was a ballpark in Chicago, Illinois, located in the Armour Square neighborhood on the near-south side of the city.

10,000 Ugandan RPF rebels move into Rwanda

Human occupation of Rwanda is thought to have begun shortly after the last ice age. By the 11th century, the inhabitants had organized into a number of kingdoms.

Chinese plane explodes, killing about 100 people

Detroit first baseman Cecil Fielder becomes the 11th player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in a season, hitting his

Detroit first baseman Cecil Fielder becomes the 11th player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs in a season, hitting his 50th and 51st in a 10-3 win against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium

Kansas City third baseman George Brett becomes the first in MLB history to win a batting title in three different decade

Kansas City third baseman George Brett becomes the first in MLB history to win a batting title in three different decades, going 1 for 1 in the Royals' 5-2 loss against Cleveland to win the AL batting title with a .329 average; AL batting champion in 1976, 1980, and 1990

Regional elections held in East Germany

The German Social Union (German: Deutsche Soziale Union, DSU) is a small conservative political party mainly active in the new states of Germany.

"Henry and June," a film based on the book by Anaïs Nin and the first film to receive an NC-17 rating in the US, is rele

"Henry and June," a film based on the book by Anaïs Nin and the first film to receive an NC-17 rating in the US, is released

Solar Polar Orbiter "Ulysses" is launched

Ulysses ( yoo-LISS-eez, UK also YOO-liss-eez) was a robotic space probe whose primary mission was to orbit the Sun and study it at all latitudes.

Israel begins distributing gas masks to its citizens

Israeli police kill 17 Palestinian protesters

David Souter is sworn in as 105th US Supreme Court Justice

David Hackett Souter ( SOO-tər; September 17, 1939 – May 8, 2025) was an American lawyer and jurist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States from 1990 to 2009.

American Petroleum Institute (API) reports crude inventories dropped by more than 4 MMB in the last week

Center for Urban archaeology opens in NYC South Street Seaport Museum

US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

The Nevada National Security Sites (N2S2 or NNSS), popularized as the Nevada Test Site (NTS) until 2010, is a reservation of the United States Department of Energy located in the southeastern portion...

First Russian Orthodox service in over 70 years held in St Basil's Cathedral, in Red Square, Moscow

The Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed, commonly known as Saint Basil's Cathedral, is a Russian Orthodox church in Red Square of Moscow. It is one of the most popular cultural symbols of Russia.

SF 49er Joe Montana passes for 6 touchdowns vs Atlanta (45-35)

Joseph Clifford Montana Jr. is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the San Francisco 49ers.

Reds beat A's 7-0, ending Oakland's 10-game postseason winning streak

Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong drops out of school to pursue a career in music

Anti-war marches protesting against the US-Iraq war begin in 20 US cities

Iraq announces release of 330 French hostages

USSR performs a nuclear test at Novaya Zemlya, USSR

Novaya Zemlya, also spelled Novaja Zemlja, is an archipelago in northern Russia. It is situated in the Arctic Ocean, in the extreme northeast of Europe, with Cape Flissingsky, on the northern island,...

"40-Hour Week" 9th studio album by Alabama is re-released (original release 1985)

Supreme Soviet of Kirghiz SSR chooses Askar Akayev as republic's first president.

30 die in a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Algeria

Britain and France complete the "Chunnel" under the English Channel

Pakistan beats New Zealand 3-0, with Waqar Younis taking 29 series wickets

Waqar Younis Maitla HI (Punjabi, Urdu: وقار یونس میتلا; born 16 November 1971) is a Pakistani cricket coach, commentator and former cricketer who captained Pakistan national cricket team.

Sandra Miller awarded $100 for Mike Tyson fondling her breasts

First NBA game at Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Rolando Blackman top scores with 21 points as Timberwolves beat

First NBA game at Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Rolando Blackman top scores with 21 points as Timberwolves beat Mavericks, 98-85

Atlanta Hawks' center Moses Malone sets an NBA record for free throws made in a career by hitting 7-of-9 in a 121-120 wi

Atlanta Hawks' center Moses Malone sets an NBA record for free throws made in a career by hitting 7-of-9 in a 121-120 win over Indiana Pacers at the Omni; passes Oscar Robinson's record (7,694)

Ayrton Senna retires with gearbox trouble during the season-ending Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide; wins by 7 points f

Ayrton Senna retires with gearbox trouble during the season-ending Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide; wins by 7 points from Alain Prost; McLaren-Honda wins Constructors title for 3rd straight year

Reports of increasing Saudi petroleum production and lower world demand

Petroleum, also known as crude oil or simply oil, is a naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid chemical mixture found in geological formations, consisting mainly of hydrocarbons.

Arsenio Hall gets a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame

Arsenio Hall is an American comedian, actor and talk show host. He hosted a late-night talk show, The Arsenio Hall Show, from 1989 until 1994, and again from 2013 to 2014. He has appeared in Martial...

Cleveland Indian Sandy Alomar Jr wins AL Rookie of Year, unanimously

,000 additional US troops are sent to Persian gulf

The Gulf War was an armed conflict between Iraq and a 42-country coalition led by the United States.

A new democratic constitution is issued in Nepal

The Kingdom of Nepal was a Hindu kingdom in South Asia, formed in 1768 by the expansion of the Gorkha Kingdom, and disestablished and replaced by the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal in 2008.

Chandra Shekhar becomes 8th Prime Minister of India

Chandra Shekhar (17 April 1927 – 8 July 2007), also known as Jananayak, was an Indian politician and the prime minister of India, between 10 November 1990 and 21 June 1991.

California Angel Chuck Finley & Seattle Mariner Randy Johnson combine to pitch a no-hitter in exhibition game between US

California Angel Chuck Finley & Seattle Mariner Randy Johnson combine to pitch a no-hitter in exhibition game between US & Japanese all-star teams

"The Body Bag Game" - after Eagles coach Buddy Ryan threatens beating Redskins so badly "they'll have to be carted off i

"The Body Bag Game" - after Eagles coach Buddy Ryan threatens beating Redskins so badly "they'll have to be carted off in body bags" the Eagles defense score 3 touchdowns winning 28–14, knocking 8 Redskins out of the game

In the New Zealand seaside town of Aramoana, David Gray shoots dead 13 people in the Aramoana massacre

Doug Drabek (22-6) wins NL Cy Young Award

Douglas Dean Drabek is an American former professional baseball pitcher, and a current minor league baseball coach.

James Worthy is arrested in Houston and charged with two counts of solicitation of prostitution

James Ager Worthy is an American former professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Big Game James", he played his entire professional career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball...

Producers confirm that Milli Vanilli didn't sing on their album, resulting in the duo being stripped of their Best New A

Producers confirm that Milli Vanilli didn't sing on their album, resulting in the duo being stripped of their Best New Artist Grammy and sparking a scandal

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega claims the US denied him a fair trial

American singer David Crosby breaks his left leg, ankle and shoulder in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, California

Greyhound files reoganization plan so they can be traded publicly

Test Cricket debut of Saeed Anwar (Pak v WI), scores 0 & 0

India bowl the Sri Lankan cricket team out for 82; Venkatapathy Raju (I) takes 6-12 off 17.5 overs

Buffalo Bills become the sixth first-place NFL team to lose on the same weekend

MLB Montreal Expos president Claude Brochu agrees to buy the club from Charles Bronfman

The Montreal Expos (French: Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal.

American actor Burt Lancaster suffers a stroke, leaving him partially paralyzed

56th Heisman Trophy Award: Ty Detmer, Brigham Young quarterback

New York Knicks' center Patrick Ewing scores a career-high 22 field goals in his 50-point haul in a 113-96 win against C

New York Knicks' center Patrick Ewing scores a career-high 22 field goals in his 50-point haul in a 113-96 win against Charlotte at Madison Square Garden

First parliamentary election in newly reunified Germany

Since 1990, Germany spans the period following German reunification, when West Germany and East Germany were reunited after being divided during the Cold War.

An Iraqi official reports that Iraq will withdraw if it can retain control of the Rumailah field and keep Bubiyan and We

An Iraqi official reports that Iraq will withdraw if it can retain control of the Rumailah field and keep Bubiyan and Werbah islands; also says that demands that the Palestinian issue be treated separately would not be surmountable

Blue Jays trade F McGriff & T Fernandez to SD for R Alomar & J Carter

Baseball player "Shoeless" Joe Jackson's signature sells for $23,100 at auction

Indians agree to a lease new ballpark in Gateway (Jacobs Field)

Progressive Field is a baseball stadium in the downtown area of Cleveland, Ohio. It is the ballpark of the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball and, together with Rocket Arena, is part of the...

Gunda Niemann skates ladies world record 3k ladies (4:10.80)

Hindu-Muslim rebellion in Hyderabad-Aligargh India, 140 die

13 die in 83 vehicle accident in Chattanooga Tn I-75, due to fog

US accuses Iraq of dragging its feet on dates for talks

Heavy earthquake strikes Sicily, 18 die

An earthquake, also called a quake, tremor, or temblor, is the shaking of the Earth's surface resulting from a sudden release of energy in the lithosphere that creates seismic waves.

KUSW, Salt Lake City Utah, final shortwave radio transmissions

KTBN, Salt Lake City Utah, begins shortwave radio transmissions

Bush reiterates his "no concessions" stance against Iraq

Pentagon warns Saddam that US air power is ready to attack on 1/15

Steve & Mark Waugh complete 464* partnership for NSW v WA

Iraq announces it will never give up Kuwait

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. Located within the geo-political region of the Middle East, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Turkey to the north, Iran to...

Slovenes vote to secede from Yugoslavia

After a period of political and economic crisis in the 1980s, the constituent republics of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia split apart in the early 1990s.

Expos trade Tim Raines to the White Sox for Iván Calderón and Barry Jones

Timothy Raines Sr., nicknamed "Rock", is an American professional baseball coach and former player.

Edmonton Oilers beat the Calgary Flames, 4-1 to record their 500th all-time NHL victory; set in just 915 games for a rec

Edmonton Oilers beat the Calgary Flames, 4-1 to record their 500th all-time NHL victory; set in just 915 games for a record of 500-295-120, good for a winning % of .612; best in history upon reaching milestone

2 die and 188 injured in a NYC subway electrical fire in tunnel near Clark Street, Brooklyn

11th United Negro College Fund raises $10,000,000

Iraq begins a military draft of 17-year-olds

Famous Births

Liam Hemsworth is born

Liam Hemsworth, Australian actor, known for australian actor, was born on 1990-01-13. Liam Hemsworth is an Australian actor.

Yani Tseng is born

Yani Tseng, Chinese athlete, known for taiwanese professional golfer, was born on 1990-01-23. Yani Tseng is a Taiwanese professional golfer playing on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour.

Peter Sagan is born

Bethany Hamilton is born

Bethany Hamilton, American athlete, known for american surfer, was born on 1990-02-08. Bethany Meilani Hamilton is an American professional surfer and writer.

Klay Thompson is born

Klay Thompson, American athlete, known for american basketball player, was born on 1990-02-08.

El Rubius is born

El Rubius, Spanish youtuber and twitch streamer, known for spanish youtuber and twitch streamer, was born on 1990-02-13.

Elizabeth Olsen is born

Elizabeth Olsen, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1990-02-16. Elizabeth Chase Olsen is an American actress.

Agnieszka Radwańska is born

Agnieszka Radwańska, Polish athlete, known for polish tennis player, was born on 1990-03-06. Agnieszka Roma Radwańska is a Polish former professional tennis player and current coach.

J. J. Watt is born

J. J. Watt, American athlete, known for american football player and television analyst, was born on 1990-03-22.

Lily James is born

Lily James, English actress, known for english actress, was born on 1990-04-05. Lily Chloe Ninette Thomson, known professionally as Lily James, is an English actress.

Gedhun Choekyi Nyima is born

Michael van Gerwen is born

Michael van Gerwen, Dutch athlete, known for dutch darts player, was born on 1990-04-25.

Rory McIlroy is born

Rory McIlroy, Irish athlete, known for northern irish golfer, was born on 1990-05-04. Rory Daniel McIlroy is a Northern Irish professional golfer who plays on the European Tour and the PGA Tour.

Chris Brown is born

Chris Brown, American singer, known for american singer, was born on 1990-05-05. Christopher Maurice Brown is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer, and actor.

Rob Gronkowski is born

Rob Gronkowski, American athlete, known for american football player, was born on 1990-05-14.

G-Eazy is born

G-Eazy, American musician, known for american rapper, was born on 1990-05-24. Gerald Earl Gillum, known professionally as G-Eazy, is an American rapper.

Lucy Hale is born

Lucy Hale, American actress and singer, known for american actress and singer, was born on 1990-06-14. Karen Lucille Hale is an American actress and singer.

Alex Puccio is born

Alex Morgan is born

Alex Morgan, American athlete, known for american soccer player, was born on 1990-07-02. Alexandra Morgan Carrasco is an American former professional soccer player.

Gareth Bale is born

Gareth Bale, Welsh athlete, known for welsh footballer, was born on 1990-07-16. Gareth Frank Bale is a Welsh former professional footballer who played as a right winger, most notably for Tottenham…

Daniel Radcliffe is born

Daniel Radcliffe, English actor, known for english actor, was born on 1990-07-23. Daniel Jacob Radcliffe is an English actor, best known for portraying the title character in all eight films of the…

Victoria Azarenka is born

Victoria Azarenka, Belarusian athlete, known for belarusian tennis player, was born on 1990-07-31. Victoria Fiodaraŭna Azarenka is a Belarusian professional tennis player.

Bebe Rexha is born

Bebe Rexha, American musician, known for american singer and songwriter, was born on 1990-08-30. Bleta "Bebe" Rexha ( BEE-bee REK-sə, born August 30, 1989) is an American singer and songwriter.

Thomas Müller is born

Thomas Müller, German athlete, known for german footballer, was born on 1990-09-13.

Brie Larson is born

Brie Larson, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1990-10-01. Brianne Sidonie Desaulniers, known professionally as Brie Larson, is an American actress.

Dakota Johnson is born

Dakota Johnson, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1990-10-04. Dakota Mayi Johnson is an American actress. Her accolades include a nomination for a British Academy Film Award.

Michelle Wie is born

Michelle Wie, American athlete, known for american professional golfer, was born on 1990-10-11. Michelle Sung Wie West is an American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is born

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, American politician and activist, known for american politician and activist, was born on 1990-10-13.

PewDiePie is born

PewDiePie, Swedish youtuber, known for swedish youtuber, was born on 1990-10-24. Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, is a Swedish YouTuber, best known for his gaming videos.

Mia Wasikowska is born

Mia Wasikowska, Australian actress, known for australian actress, was born on 1990-10-25. Mia Wasikowska ( VUSH-i-KOF-skə; born 25 October 1989) is an Australian actress.

Nicholas Hoult is born

Nicholas Hoult, English actor, known for english actor, was born on 1990-12-07. Nicholas Caradoc Hoult is an English actor.

Taylor Swift is born

Taylor Swift, American musician, known for american singer-songwriter, was born on 1990-12-13. Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter.

Travis Kelce is born

Travis Kelce, American football player, known for american football player, was born on 1990-10-05.

Notable Deaths

Alan Hale Jr. dies

Alan Hale Jr., American actor, known for american actor, died on 1990-01-02. Alan Hale Jr. was an American actor and restaurateur.

Ava Gardner dies

Ava Gardner, American actress, known for american actress, died on 1990-01-25. Ava Lavinia Gardner (December 24, 1922 – January 25, 1990) was an American actress during the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Keith Haring dies

Keith Haring, American artist and social activist, known for american artist and social activist, died on 1990-02-16.

Greta Garbo dies

Greta Garbo, American swedish-american actress, known for swedish-american actress, died on 1990-04-15. Greta Garbo was a Swedish and American actress.

Jim Henson dies

Jim Henson, American puppeteer, known for american puppeteer, died on 1990-05-16. James Maury Henson (September 24, 1936 – May 16, 1990) was an American puppeteer, actor, animator, creative producer,…

Sammy Davis Jr. dies

Sammy Davis Jr. singer and actor, known for american singer and actor, died on 1990-05-16. Samuel George Davis Jr.

Terence O'Neill dies