What happened in December 1989?
The top front-page story of each day in December 1989, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Dec 1🏛️ Czechoslovakia Opens Borders – Czechoslovakia announced the dismantling of border fortifications with Austria and removal of travel restrictions.
- Dec 2🌍 Malta Summit Begins – President Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev arrive in Malta for a summit aimed at establishing a new world order.
- Dec 3🌍 Sihanouk Backs U.N. Trusteeship – Prince Norodom Sihanouk endorses an Australian proposal for a U.N. trusteeship in Cambodia, aiming to dismantle the Vietnamese-backed government.
- Dec 4🌍 Bush and Gorbachev Summit – President Bush and President Gorbachev concluded their summit, marking a new era in U.S.-Soviet relations with agreements on arms and trade.
- Dec 5🌍 Whooping Crane Comeback – The world's whooping crane population, once on the brink of extinction, has nearly doubled this decade, signaling a remarkable recovery.
- Dec 6🌍 Soviets Aid Antarctic Expedition – The Soviet Union agreed to supply fuel to a group of six explorers from six nations, ensuring their Antarctic trek continues.
- Dec 7📰 1,500-M.P.H. Winds Found – Neptune is swept by 1,500 mile-an-hour winds, the fastest yet discovered in the solar system, scientists determined from Voyager 2 photographs.
- Dec 8🗺️ Berlin Wall Breach – South Brazil celebrates the historic breach of the Berlin Wall, marking a significant moment in the fight for freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe.
- Dec 9🗺️ East Berlin's Fall – East German Communists gather to discuss the party's future amid the collapse of their regime, signaling a shift in power after 40 years.
- Dec 10🌍 Gorbachev's Party Stance – President Mikhail S. Gorbachev rebuffed demands for early action to end the Communist Party's monopoly on power in the Soviet Union.
- Dec 11🗺️ Thousands Protest in East Germany – Tens of thousands of demonstrators continued to press demands for democratic change in East Germany.
- Dec 12🌍 Czechoslovakia Celebrates Change – Millions of Czechs and Slovaks celebrated their country's political changes with five minutes of pandemonium at midday.
- Dec 13🏔️ Team Reaches South Pole – A six-man international team of explorers reached the South Pole, marking a significant milestone in their 4,000-mile trek across Antarctica.
- Dec 14🌌 Distant Star Detected – Astronomers have identified what may be the most distant star in the Milky Way, aiding in measuring the galaxy's total mass.
- Dec 15🌋 Volcano Erupts – The Redoubt Volcano erupted in South Alaska, sending ash seven miles into the air and prompting the evacuation of seven oil workers.
- Dec 16🌍 Candlelight Vigil for Sakharov – Mourners gathered with carnations and candles at Andrei Sakharov's doorstep, reflecting on his legacy as a champion of human rights.
- Dec 17🏛️ Havel Expected as President – Vaclav Havel, playwright and opposition leader, is close to an agreement to become temporary President of Czechoslovakia until elections.
- Dec 18🌍 Giant Balloon Launch – Scientists prepare to launch the largest balloon ever for a groundbreaking flight over Antarctica.
- Dec 19🌍 Physicians Eradicate AIDS – Researchers have reportedly eradicated the AIDS virus from a patient's body for the first time, though more studies are needed to confirm effectiveness.
- Dec 20🏥 Smith Labs Merger – Smith Laboratories agrees to merge with Columbia Hospital Corporation, becoming a subsidiary in a stock swap deal.
- Dec 21🕊️ East Germans Fly Balloons – Two hot-air balloons with peace slogans were flown at the Brandenburg Gate, symbolizing friendship and hope during a time of change.
- Dec 22🔬 Key Gene Discovered – Scientists identified a crucial gene believed to play a central role in developing human immune defenses and antibody generation.
- Dec 23🗽 Brandenburg Gate Reopens – Leaders of East and West Germany reopened the Brandenburg Gate, symbolizing the end of division between the two nations.
- Dec 24🖼️ Pope Supports Arab League – Pope John Paul II expressed support for Arab League envoys as they negotiate a peace accord for Lebanon.
- Dec 25🕊️ Rumanian Revolution Continues – The upheaval in Rumania persists as new leaders attempt to form a government after the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu.
- Dec 26🌋 Volcano Emits Gold – Mount Erebus, Antarctica's only active volcano, is releasing microscopic crystals of pure gold, providing insights into the atmosphere.
- Dec 27📚 Gamma Rays Save Books – The British Library adopts gamma rays for bulk preservation of old books, reducing costs significantly compared to traditional methods.
- Dec 28🌍 Rumania Seeks Aid – Rumania's new Government requested international emergency aid from the General Assembly following the recent revolution.
- Dec 29✈️ Plane Crash in Pennsylvania – A twin-engine plane crashed into a house in Pennsylvania, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and a passenger.
- Dec 30🏛️ Havel Elected President – Vaclav Havel, a prominent dissident, was elected President of Czechoslovakia, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape.
- Dec 31📺 Last Broadcast of 1989 – Television networks air retrospectives of significant events of 1989, marking a transformative year in global politics.
Happy Birthday! 1989 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1989 in real headlines. See the 1989 book →
Born in December? Pick the day
Every birthday in December has its own On This Day in Headlines book: