Born in 1989 - Zodiac Signs, Personality and Horoscopes

1989 Tropical Ephemeris

What happened in January 1989

• January 1, 1989: The New York Times reported that West German companies Imhausen and Salzgitter AG were involved in constructing a chemical weapons facility in Rabta, Libya. This revelation highlighted the international proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and raised concerns about the potential use of chemical weapons in conflicts.
• January 2, 1989: Ranasinghe Premadasa became the third President of Sri Lanka. His election marked a significant political transition in the country and shaped the course of Sri Lankan politics for years to come.
• January 4, 1989: In the Gulf of Sidra incident, two Libyan MiG-23 aircraft were shot down by US Navy F-14 Tomcats. This event escalated tensions between the United States and Libya and demonstrated the US's military dominance in the region.
• January 7, 1989: Emperor Shōwa of Japan passed away, and his son, Akihito, ascended to the throne as the 125th Emperor. This marked the beginning of the Heisei era in Japan, a period of significant economic and social transformation.
• January 10, 1989: In compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 626 and the New York Accords, Cuban troops commenced their withdrawal from Angola. This marked a turning point in the Angolan Civil War and contributed to the eventual resolution of the conflict.
• January 11, 1989: The Lexus and Infiniti luxury car brands were introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. These brands became symbols of Japanese automotive excellence and gained significant popularity in the global luxury car market.
• January 13, 1989: Former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin was expelled from Senegal after attempting to return to Uganda using a fake Zairean passport. His expulsion highlighted the international efforts to hold former dictators accountable for their actions and prevent their return to power.
• January 15, 1989: Thirty-five European nations met in Vienna to strengthen human rights and improve East–West trade. This meeting reflected the changing political landscape in Europe and the growing desire for cooperation and integration between Eastern and Western countries.
• January 18, 1989: Ante Marković became the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia, succeeding Branko Mikulić. Marković's appointment marked a period of economic and political reforms in Yugoslavia, which ultimately led to the country's dissolution in the early 1990s.
• January 20, 1989: George H. W. Bush was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States. His presidency was marked by significant events such as the end of the Cold War, the Gulf War, and the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• January 23, 1989: Armed civilian leftists briefly attacked and occupied an Argentinian army base near Buenos Aires. This incident reflected the ongoing political and social tensions in Argentina and highlighted the challenges faced by the country during that period.
• January 30, 1989: Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney reshuffled his cabinet, appointing six new ministers and reassigning the responsibilities of nineteen others. This cabinet reshuffle aimed to address various political and economic challenges facing Canada at the time.
• February 1, 1989: Joan Kirner becomes Victoria's first female Deputy Premier, following Robert Fordham's resignation due to the VEDC Crisis.
• February 2, 1989: The last Soviet Union armored column leaves Kabul, marking the end of nine years of military occupation in Afghanistan since 1979.
• February 3, 1989: A military coup, known as "La Noche de la Candelaria", overthrows Alfredo Stroessner, who had been Paraguay's dictator since 1954.
• February 5, 1989: Eurosport, a multi-language sports broadcasting station in Europe, commences broadcasting from Issy-les-Moulineaux, Île-de-France, France.
• February 6, 1989: The Government of Poland holds formal talks with representatives of the Solidarity movement for the first time since 1981.
• February 7, 1989: The People's National Party, led by Michael Manley, emerges victorious in the 1989 Jamaican general election.
• February 10, 1989: Ron Brown becomes the first African American to lead a major U.S. political party when he is elected as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
• February 11, 1989: Barbara Harris becomes the first woman consecrated as a bishop in the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the first female bishop in the worldwide Anglican Communion.
• February 14, 1989: Union Carbide agrees to pay $470,000,000 to the Indian government for damages caused by the 1984 Bhopal disaster, a gas leak that resulted in the deaths of 3,700 people.
• March 1, 1989: The Berne Convention, an international treaty protecting copyright, is ratified by the United States, ensuring international recognition and protection of creative works.
• March 2, 1989: Twelve European Community nations commit to banning chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) by the end of the century, a significant step in addressing ozone depletion and protecting the environment.
• March 3, 1989: Jammu Siltavuori abducts and murders two young girls in Helsinki, Finland, highlighting the importance of child protection and addressing violence against children.
• March 4, 1989: Time Inc. and Warner Communications announce their merger, forming Time Warner, a major media and entertainment conglomerate that later becomes Warner Bros. Discovery, shaping the media landscape.
• March 7, 1989: Iran severs diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom due to Salman Rushdie's book 'The Satanic Verses,' sparking international debate on freedom of expression and religious sensitivities.
• March 9, 1989: The Soviet Union submits to the jurisdiction of the World Court, demonstrating its willingness to engage in international legal processes and potentially improving global cooperation.
• March 12, 1989: Tim Berners-Lee creates the proposal document for the World Wide Web, laying the foundation for the internet as we know it, revolutionizing communication and information access.
• March 13, 1989: A geomagnetic storm causes a power outage in Quebec, affecting millions of people and highlighting the vulnerability of power grids to natural phenomena.
• March 14, 1989: U.S. President George H. W. Bush enacts a ban on the importation of certain assault weapons, demonstrating the government's commitment to gun control and public safety.
• March 15, 1989: Israel transfers control of Taba to Egypt, resolving a long-standing territorial dispute and promoting peace and cooperation in the region.
• March 16, 1989: The Communist Party of the Soviet Union approves agricultural reforms, granting farmers the right to lease state-owned farms, potentially improving agricultural productivity and food security.
• March 17, 1989: The Civic Tower of Pavia, a historic landmark, collapses, underscoring the importance of preserving cultural heritage and maintaining historical structures.
• March 20, 1989: Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke publicly admits to marital infidelity, highlighting the personal and political consequences of such actions and the scrutiny faced by public figures.
• March 22, 1989: Clint Malarchuk, a professional hockey player, suffers a severe injury during a game, emphasizing the risks and dangers associated with contact sports and the need for safety measures.
• March 23, 1989: Stanley Pons and Martin Fleischmann announce their achievement of cold fusion at the University of Utah, sparking scientific debate and interest in alternative energy sources.
• March 24, 1989: The Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska releases a massive amount of oil into Prince William Sound, causing significant environmental damage and highlighting the need for stricter regulations and improved safety measures in the oil industry.
• March 26, 1989: The first and last contested elections for the Soviet parliament, Congress of People's Deputies, are held, marking a turning point in Soviet politics and leading to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.
• March 29, 1989: The 61st Academy Awards are held, recognizing outstanding achievements in film, with 'Rain Man' winning Best Picture and Jodie Foster receiving her first Best Actress award.
• April 1, 1989: Margaret Thatcher's new local government tax (the poll tax) introduced in Scotland; to be introduced in England and Wales the following year.
• April 2, 1989: Fighting erupts between SWAPO insurgents and South West African Police in South-West Africa on day ceasefire was supposed to end South African Border War; nearly 300 people killed by April 6.
• April 4, 1989: Failed coup attempt against Prosper Avril, President of Haiti, leads to standoff between mutinous troops and government; government regains control of country by April 10.
• April 5, 1989: Polish Government and Solidarity trade union sign agreement restoring Solidarity to legal status, agreeing to hold democratic elections on June 4 (Polish Round Table Agreement), initiating 1989 revolution and overthrow of communism in Central Europe.
• April 6, 1989: National Safety Council of Australia chief executive John Friedrich arrested after defrauding investors of $235,000,000.
• April 7, 1989: Soviet submarine K-278 Komsomolets sinks in Barents Sea, killing 41.
• April 9, 1989: Tbilisi massacre: Georgian demonstrators massacred by Soviet Army soldiers in Tbilisi's central square during peaceful rally; 20 citizens killed, many injured, causing further protests.
• April 14, 1989: U.S. government seizes Irvine, California, Lincoln Savings and Loan Association; Charles Keating (Keating Five namesake) eventually goes to jail; part of massive 1980s savings and loan crisis costing U.S. taxpayers nearly $200,000,000 in bailouts, many losing life savings.
• April 15, 1989: Hillsborough disaster, one of biggest tragedies in European football, claims lives of 94 Liverpool F.C. supporters in Sheffield, England, with three more dying later.
• April 17, 1989: Solidarity (Polish trade union) once again legalized and allowed to participate in semi-free elections on June 4.
• April 19, 1989: Trisha Meili seriously assaulted and raped whilst jogging in New York City's Central Park; convictions of five teenagers vacated in 2002 (jogger's identity remains secret, referred to as "Central Park Jogger").
• April 20, 1989: NATO debates modernizing short range missiles; West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl obtains concession deferring decision, despite U.S. and U.K. support.
• April 21, 1989: Students from Beijing, Shanghai, Xi'an and Nanjing begin protesting in Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
• April 23, 1989: Zaid al-Rifai resigns as Prime Minister of Jordan in wake of riots over government-imposed price hikes that began on April 18.
• April 25, 1989: Noboru Takeshita resigns as Prime Minister of Japan in wake of stock-trading scandal.
• April 26, 1989: Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Yusuff Izzudin Shah Ghafarullahu-lahu, Sultan of Perak, becomes 9th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, succeeding Baginda Almutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Ismail.
• April 27, 1989: Major demonstration occurs in Beijing as part of 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
• May 1, 1989: Andrés Rodríguez wins general election in Paraguay amidst fraud allegations, consolidating his power after a military coup.
• May 2, 1989: Hungary dismantles part of the Iron Curtain, marking a significant step towards the end of the Cold War.
• May 3, 1989: Construction of the first McDonald's restaurant begins in Moscow, symbolizing increasing Western influence in the USSR.
• May 4, 1989: Oliver North convicted in Iran-Contra affair, highlighting the scandal's impact on the Reagan administration.
• May 9, 1989: Andrew Peacock replaces John Howard as Australia's Federal Opposition Leader, marking a shift in political leadership.
• May 10, 1989: Panama's government annuls the results of the presidential election, sparking political instability and leading to U.S. intervention.
• May 11, 1989: President Bush deploys U.S. troops to Panama to protect American citizens amidst political turmoil.
• May 12, 1989: San Bernardino train derailment triggers a pipeline explosion, resulting in multiple fatalities and extensive property damage.
• May 14, 1989: Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to China signifies a thaw in Sino-Soviet relations, easing tensions between the two communist giants.
• May 15, 1989: Bond University opens in Australia, becoming the country's first private tertiary institution.
• May 17, 1989: Tiananmen Square protests escalate in China, leading to a government crackdown and suppression of the pro-democracy movement.
• May 19, 1989: Uyghur and Hui Muslim protesters riot in Ürümqi, China, highlighting ethnic tensions and discontent within the region.
• May 20, 1989: Chinese government declares martial law in Beijing in response to the Tiananmen Square protests, intensifying the crackdown on dissent.
• May 21, 1989: Bombing near Keserwan by Kataeb Regulatory Forces results in the deaths of nine Syrian soldiers, escalating tensions in the region.
• May 24, 1989: Milan wins the European Cup, defeating Steaua București, showcasing the club's dominance in European football.
• May 25, 1989: Calgary Flames win their first Stanley Cup in ice hockey, defeating the Montreal Canadiens, marking a significant milestone for the franchise.
• May 26, 1989: Arsenal F.C. secures the Football League First Division title with a victory over Liverpool F.C., demonstrating their dominance in English football.
• May 29, 1989: Argentina declares a nationwide state of siege due to food riots and looting triggered by inflation, highlighting the country's economic and social challenges.
• May 31, 1989: Members of the Revolutionary Movement Tupac Amaru (MRTA) kill eight gay and transgender people in Tarapoto, Peru, underscoring the ongoing discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQ+ communities.
• June 1, 1989: Pope John Paul II visited Norway, Iceland, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden, promoting interfaith dialogue and peace.
• June 2, 1989: S\u014dsuke Uno succeeded Noboru Takeshita as Prime Minister of Japan, marking a change in political leadership.
• June 3, 1989: The world's first high-definition television broadcasts began in Japan, pioneering a new era of visual media.
• June 4, 1989: The Tiananmen Square protests in Beijing were violently suppressed by the Chinese military, resulting in the iconic image of "Tank Man" standing in front of tanks.
• June 5, 1989: The "Tank Man" incident in Tiananmen Square became a symbol of resistance and defiance against authoritarianism, gaining international recognition.
• June 6, 1989: The funeral of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran was disrupted by a large crowd, highlighting the complex political and religious dynamics in Iran.
• June 7, 1989: Surinam Airways Flight 764 crashed in Paramaribo, Suriname, resulting in the tragic loss of 176 lives.
• June 8, 1989: The wreck of the German battleship Bismarck, sunk during World War II, was discovered about 600 miles west of Brest, France, providing insights into naval history.
• June 15, 1989: The Irish general election resulted in Fianna F\u00e1il, led by Charles Haughey, failing to secure a majority, shaping the political landscape of Ireland.
• June 16, 1989: A large crowd gathered in Budapest for the reburial of Imre Nagy, a former Hungarian Prime Minister executed in 1958, symbolizing political change and reconciliation.
• June 18, 1989: In the Greek legislative election, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement lost control of the Hellenic Parliament, leading to a shift in political power.
• June 22, 1989: British police arrested 260 people celebrating the summer solstice at Stonehenge, highlighting the cultural and historical significance of the site.
• June 24, 1989: Jiang Zemin became the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, marking a significant transition in China's political leadership.
• June 30, 1989: A military coup led by Omar al-Bashir in Sudan overthrew the civilian government, resulting in political instability and long-term consequences for the country.
• July 2, 1989: Andreas Papandreou resigns as Prime Minister of Greece, leading to the formation of a new government under Tzannis Tzannetakis. This event marked a significant shift in Greek politics.
• July 5, 1989: P. W. Botha, State President of South Africa, meets Nelson Mandela, who was imprisoned at the time. This meeting was a crucial step towards the end of apartheid in South Africa.
• July 6, 1989: The first Palestinian suicide attack on Israel takes place in Tel Aviv, marking a turning point in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• July 8, 1989: The War of the Tribes in Sudan ends with the signing of a Reconciliation Agreement between 110 Furs representatives, 110 Arabs, and 21 mediators.
• July 9, 1989: U.S. President George H. W. Bush visits Poland and Hungary to promote U.S. economic aid and investment, signaling a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Eastern Europe.
• July 10, 1989: Approximately 300,000 Siberian coal miners go on strike, demanding better living conditions and less bureaucracy. This strike was a significant event in the decline of the Soviet Union.
• July 12, 1989: Charles Haughey returns to power in the Republic of Ireland after Fianna Fáil forms a coalition with the Progressive Democrats.
• July 14, 1989: France celebrates the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution with a monumental show on the Champs-Élysées, symbolizing the enduring legacy of the revolution.
• July 17, 1989: The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit stealth bomber makes its first flight, marking a significant advancement in military technology.
• July 18, 1989: Actress Rebecca Schaeffer is murdered by an obsessed fan, leading to stricter stalking laws in California. This event highlighted the need for stronger legal protections against stalking.
• July 19, 1989: General Wojciech Jaruzelski is elected as President of Poland, restoring the powerful position of the presidency. This marked a significant change in Polish politics.
• July 20, 1989: Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest. She was released in 2010 after spending over 20 years under detention.
• July 23, 1989: The ruling Liberal Democratic Party loses control of the House of Councillors in Japan, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister Uno.
• July 26, 1989: Cornell University student Robert Tappan Morris is indicted for releasing a computer virus, becoming the first person to be prosecuted under the United States' Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
• July 27, 1989: Thai financial scammer Mae Chamoy Thipyaso and her accomplices are sentenced to 141,078 years in prison, the largest prison sentence to date.
• July 28, 1989: Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani is elected as President of Iran, and changes to the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran are endorsed, increasing the powers of the president.
• July 31, 1989: Hezbollah announces the hanging of U.S. Marine Lt. Col. William R. Higgins in retaliation for Israel's kidnapping of Hezbollah leader Abdel Karim Obeid. The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 638, condemning the taking of hostages by both sides.
• August 2, 1989: Pakistan readmitted to Commonwealth of Nations after leaving in 1972, restoring ties with other Commonwealth nations.
• August 5, 1989: Jaime Paz Zamora elected President of Bolivia, taking office the next day, marking a transition to democratic rule after years of military rule.
• August 7, 1989: U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland (D-TX) and fifteen others die in a plane crash in Ethiopia, highlighting the dangers of air travel and prompting investigations into the incident.
• August 8, 1989: New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange resigns due to health reasons, succeeded by Geoffrey Palmer, leading to a change in government leadership.
• August 9, 1989: Toshiki Kaifu becomes Prime Minister of Japan, marking the beginning of his tenure and the implementation of his policies.
• August 10, 1989: Colin Powell becomes the first Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the United States, breaking racial barriers in the military and symbolizing progress in diversity.
• August 13, 1989: Alice Springs hot air balloon crash in Australia kills thirteen people, raising concerns about safety regulations and the need for improved safety measures in hot air balloon operations.
• August 15, 1989: P. W. Botha resigns as State President of South Africa, succeeded by F. W. de Klerk, signaling a shift in leadership and the beginning of negotiations to end apartheid.
• August 18, 1989: Luis Carlos Galán, a leading Colombian presidential hopeful, is assassinated near Bogotá, Colombia, highlighting the dangers faced by political candidates and the need for increased security measures.
• August 19, 1989: Polish president Wojciech Jaruzelski nominates Solidarity activist Tadeusz Mazowiecki to be Prime Minister, marking a historic transition from Communist rule to a non-Communist government in Poland.
• August 20, 1989: Lyle and Erik Menéndez shoot their wealthy parents to death in Beverly Hills, California, sparking a sensational murder trial and media coverage.
• August 21, 1989: 21st anniversary of the crushing of the Prague Spring is commemorated by a demonstration in the city, highlighting the ongoing struggle for democracy and freedom in Czechoslovakia.
• September 6, 1989: National Party wins the South African general election with a reduced majority in the last election under apartheid.
• September 7, 1989: Representatives of Ethiopia and Eritrean separatists meet in Atlanta to negotiate a peace settlement, facilitated by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.
• September 8, 1989: Partnair Flight 394, a Convair 580, rolls upside down and crashes into the North Sea after flying past an F-16 Fighting Falcon.
• September 10, 1989: Hungary opens its western border with Austria to East German refugees, marking a significant moment in the fall of the Iron Curtain.
• September 14, 1989: An agreement for cooperation between Leningrad Oblast, Russia, and Nordland County, Norway, is signed, fostering relations between the two regions.
• September 17, 1989: Hurricane Hugo devastates the Caribbean and southeastern United States, causing significant loss of life and extensive damage.
• September 18, 1989: An alleged coup attempt in Burkina Faso by military officials is thwarted, maintaining the stability of the government.
• September 19, 1989: The Catholic Church calls for the removal of a Carmelite convent near the former Auschwitz concentration camp, addressing concerns raised by Jewish leaders.
• September 20, 1989: F. W. de Klerk becomes the seventh and final State President of South Africa, initiating steps to suspend the country's nuclear weapons program.
• September 22, 1989: An IRA bomb explodes at the Royal Marine School of Music in Deal, Kent, United Kingdom, resulting in casualties and injuries.
• September 23, 1989: A cease-fire is declared in the Lebanese Civil War, bringing an end to the violence that had claimed numerous lives since March.
• September 26, 1989: Vietnam announces the withdrawal of its troops from Cambodia, marking the end of an eleven-year occupation.
• September 30, 1989: Nearly 7,000 East Germans who had arrived in Prague on special refugee trains are granted permission to leave for the West, symbolizing the easing of restrictions on movement in Eastern Europe.
• October 1, 1989: Denmark becomes the first country to legalize civil unions between same-sex partners, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights.
• October 3, 1989: Manuel Noriega, Panama's military leader, thwarts a coup attempt, highlighting the country's political instability.
• October 5, 1989: The Dalai Lama is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his nonviolent struggle for the liberation of Tibet.
• October 7, 1989: The Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party transforms into the Hungarian Socialist Party, signaling a shift towards democratic socialism.
• October 9, 1989: Soviet Union reports a UFO landing in Voronezh, sparking speculation and interest in extraterrestrial phenomena.
• October 13, 1989: The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunges in the 'Friday the 13th mini-crash,' largely attributed to the collapse of the junk bond market.
• October 15, 1989: Walter Sisulu, a prominent anti-apartheid activist, is released from prison in South Africa, symbolizing progress in the fight against racial segregation.
• October 17, 1989: The Loma Prieta earthquake shakes the San Francisco Bay Area, causing significant damage and disrupting the 1989 World Series.
• October 18, 1989: Erich Honecker, East Germany's Communist leader, resigns due to health issues, marking a turning point in the country's political landscape.
• October 19, 1989: The Guildford Four, wrongfully convicted of terrorist attacks in England, are released after fourteen years of imprisonment, highlighting the importance of justice and due process.
• October 21, 1989: The Commonwealth Heads of Government issue the Langkawi Declaration, emphasizing environmental sustainability as a key priority for member nations.
• October 23, 1989: The Hungarian People's Republic is replaced by the Hungarian Republic, marking a transition to a democratic political system.
• October 24, 1989: The Bhagalpur violence in India results in nearly 1,000 deaths, highlighting the need for religious tolerance and understanding.
• October 28, 1989: The United States Flag Protection Act takes effect, sparking protests and debates about freedom of expression and patriotism.
• October 30, 1989: Activists burn American flags in protest against the Flag Protection Act, challenging the limits of free speech and the interpretation of the First Amendment.
• October 31, 1989: Turgut Özal, Prime Minister of Turkey, is elected as the country's eighth President, signaling a continuation of economic reforms and political stability.
• November 1, 1989: President of Nicaragua ends ceasefire with U.S.-backed contras
• November 3, 1989: East German refugees arrive in West German town of Hof after being allowed through Czechoslovakia.
• November 4, 1989: Half a million people protest against communist rule in East Germany at Alexanderplatz demonstration in East Berlin.
• November 6, 1989: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is established.
• November 7, 1989: Communist government of East Germany resigns, SED leader Egon Krenz remains as head of state.
• November 9, 1989: Günter Schabowski accidentally states in a live broadcast press conference that new rules for traveling from East Germany to West Germany will be put in effect immediately. Late this evening, East Germany opens checkpoints in the Berlin Wall, allowing its citizens to travel freely to West Germany for the first time in decades. In the first week, travel visas will be issued to around 25% of the East German population.
• November 10, 1989: After 45 years of Communist rule in Bulgaria, Bulgarian Communist Party leader Todor Zhivkov is replaced by Foreign Minister Petar Mladenov, who changes the party's name to the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
• November 12, 1989: Brazil holds its first free presidential election since 1960.
• November 13, 1989: Hans-Adam II becomes Prince of Liechtenstein on the death of his father, Prince Franz Joseph II.
• November 14, 1989: Elections are held in Namibia, leading to a victory for the South West Africa People's Organisation.
• November 15, 1989: Lech Wałęsa, leader of Poland's Solidarity movement, addresses a Joint session of the United States Congress.
• November 16, 1989: Six Jesuit priests are murdered by U.S. trained Salvadoran soldiers.
• November 17, 1989: A peaceful student demonstration in Prague, Czechoslovakia, is severely beaten back by riot police. This sparks a revolution aimed at overthrowing the Communist government (it succeeds on December 29).
• November 20, 1989: The number of peaceful protesters assembled in Prague, Czechoslovakia, swells from 200,000 the day before to an estimated half-million.
• November 21, 1989: The Members of the Constituent Assembly of Namibia begin to draft the Constitution of Namibia, which will be the constitution of the newly independent Namibia.
• November 22, 1989: In West Beirut, a bomb explodes near the motorcade of Lebanese President René Moawad, killing him.
• November 24, 1989: Following a week of demonstrations demanding free elections and other reforms, General Secretary Miloš Jakeš and other leaders of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia resign. Jakeš is replaced by Karel Urbánek.
• November 26, 1989: Luis Alberto Lacalle is elected President of Uruguay.
• November 27, 1989: Colombian domestic passenger flight Avianca Flight 203 is bombed by the Medellín drug cartel in an (unsuccessful) attempt to kill presidential candidate for the 1990 elections César Gaviria Trujillo.
• November 28, 1989: The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announces they will give up their monopoly on political power (elections held in December bring the first non-Communist government to Czechoslovakia in more than forty years).
• November 29, 1989: Rajiv Gandhi resigns as Prime Minister of India after his party, the Indian National Congress, loses about half of its seats at the 1989 Indian general election.
• November 30, 1989: Deutsche Bank board member Alfred Herrhausen is killed by a bomb in Bad Homburg (the Red Army Faction claims responsibility for the murder).
• December 1, 1989: Meeting between Pope John Paul II and Mikhail Gorbachev results in a pledge for greater religious freedom in the Soviet Union.
• December 2, 1989: Solar Maximum Mission scientific research satellite crashes back to Earth after its launch in 1980.
• December 3, 1989: The entire leadership of the ruling Socialist Unity Party in East Germany resigns, leading to Hans Modrow becoming the country's last leader.
• December 4, 1989: Zaid ibn Shaker resigns as Prime Minister of Jordan, succeeded by Mudar Badran.
• December 6, 1989: DAS Building bombing in Bogotá kills 52 people and injures approximately 1,000.
• December 7, 1989: Ladislav Adamec resigns as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia, succeeded by Marián Čalfa on December 10.
• December 9, 1989: Socialist Unity Party of Germany elects Gregor Gysi as party leader, signaling a shift towards reform.
• December 10, 1989: Czechoslovakia's President Gustáv Husák swears in a non-Communist cabinet and subsequently resigns.
• December 11, 1989: International Trans-Antarctica Expedition, comprising six explorers from different nations, reaches the South Pole.
• December 12, 1989: Hong Kong begins forcibly repatriating Vietnamese boat people, starting with a group sent to Hanoi.
• December 14, 1989: Chile holds its first free election in 16 years, electing Patricio Aylwin as president, marking a significant democratic milestone.
• December 15, 1989: Colombian drug lord José Gonzalo Rodríguez Gacha is killed by police.
• December 16, 1989: Romanian Revolution begins in Timișoara, initiated by the Hungarian minority, sparking political unrest.
• December 17, 1989: Romanian Revolution continues in Timișoara as rioters damage the District Committee building, leading to military intervention.
• December 19, 1989: Romanian Revolution intensifies as workers in cities go on strike against the Communist regime, culminating in a large-scale protest in Timișoara.
• December 20, 1989: United States invades Panama in an attempt to overthrow dictator Manuel Noriega (Operation Just Cause).
• December 21, 1989: Nicolae Ceaușescu addresses a crowd in Bucharest, facing unprecedented opposition and dissent.
• December 22, 1989: Ion Iliescu takes over as President of Romania, ending Nicolae Ceaușescu's communist dictatorship, as the army joins the rioters in Bucharest.
• December 23, 1989: Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu are captured in Târgoviște, marking a significant turning point in the Romanian Revolution.
• December 24, 1989: Charles Taylor's troops launch an attack from Ivory Coast into Liberia, sparking the First Liberian Civil War.
• December 25, 1989: Nicolae and Elena Ceaușescu are summarily tried and executed outside Bucharest, marking the end of their regime.
• December 28, 1989: A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, resulting in 13 fatalities.
• December 29, 1989: Václav Havel, a Czech playwright, philosopher, and dissident, is elected as the first post-Communist President of Czechoslovakia.
• December 31, 1989: Poland's president signs the Balcerowicz Plan, transitioning the country from a Communist system to a capitalist system and leading to the abandonment of the Warsaw Pact.