What happened in July 1989?
The top front-page story of each day in July 1989, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jul 1🌍 North Korea Opens Up – North Korea, after decades of isolation, is hosting a significant event with thousands of international guests attending.
- Jul 2🌍 East European Pollution Pact – Poland, Czechoslovakia, and East Germany signed a pact to combat cross-border pollution, enhancing cooperation on environmental issues.
- Jul 3🌍 Namibia Guerrillas Platform – Namibian guerrilla leaders unveiled an election platform before 20,000 supporters, toning down previous Marxist rhetoric.
- Jul 4🌍 Rain Forest Value Study – A study shows rain forests are worth more if left uncut, providing evidence to slow deforestation efforts in Brazil.
- Jul 5🌍 Chinese Dissidents Urge Democracy – Two leading Chinese dissidents appeared on Paris TV, condemning Beijing's repression and calling for a nonviolent democracy movement.
- Jul 6🌍 Gorbachev Predicts Change – President Mikhail S. Gorbachev stated that Eastern European countries are free to determine their political future, predicting a new socialist democracy.
- Jul 7🌍 Supreme Court Declares Innocence – Hungary's Supreme Court declared former Prime Minister Imre Nagy innocent, overturning his 1958 execution as a traitor.
- Jul 8🎨 Madrid's Art Ambitions – Madrid aims to surpass Barcelona as Spain's art capital, enhancing museums and hosting international exhibitions.
- Jul 9🌍 Mandela Meets Botha – Nelson Mandela, South Africa's renowned political prisoner, met informally with President P.W. Botha, hinting at possible changes in apartheid policies.
- Jul 10🏆 Becker and Graf Win – Boris Becker and Steffi Graf claimed Wimbledon championships, marking significant victories in tennis history.
- Jul 11🏆 World Record Mile Set – Paula Ivan of Romania set a world record in the women's mile at 4:15.61 at the Mobil Grand Prix meet in Nice, France.
- Jul 12🌍 Japan Proposes Aid Package – Japan announces a $43 billion aid package to improve the environment and assist impoverished nations at the Paris economic meeting.
- Jul 13🔬 Hormone Aids Wound Healing – An experimental hormone treatment may speed skin healing, potentially benefiting minor cuts to severe burns.
- Jul 14🇫🇷 France Celebrates History – Francois Mitterrand presided over ceremonies marking the bicentennial of the French Revolution, celebrating its pivotal historical impact.
- Jul 15🌕 Apollo 11 Anniversary – Apollo 11 astronauts embark on a weeklong journey to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first human moon landing.
- Jul 16🌍 Europe Atom Smasher Test – The world's largest particle accelerator successfully completed its first test run, aiming to deepen understanding of atomic forces.
- Jul 17🏌️♀️ King Wins Women's Open – Betsy King rallied from near-collapse to win the U.S. Women's Open championship by four shots over Nancy Lopez.
- Jul 18🔬 U.S. and Moscow Settle – The U.S. and Soviet Union reached an agreement on key elements of a treaty banning chemical weapons, including destruction timetables.
- Jul 19🐘 Kenya Burns Ivory – President Daniel arap Moi ignited 12 tons of elephant tusks to persuade the world to halt the ivory trade.
- Jul 20🌍 Bush Visits Netherlands – George Bush's visit to the Netherlands marked the first by a U.S. President, recognizing the long-standing friendship between the two nations.
- Jul 21🚀 Bush Proposes Mars Mission – President Bush proposed establishing a Moon base and sending an expedition to Mars, aiming for permanent space settlement.
- Jul 22🥊 Tyson Knocks Out Williams – Mike Tyson retained his heavyweight title by knocking out Carl Williams with a single left hook in just 1 minute 33 seconds.
- Jul 23🗽 Free Speech Monument – A national competition was announced for a monument to commemorate the free-speech movement at the University of California, Berkeley.
- Jul 24🏆 LeMond Wins Tour – Greg LeMond won the Tour de France for the second time, defeating Laurent Fignon by just 8 seconds, the smallest margin in the race's history.
- Jul 25🌍 Mission to Planet Earth – NASA plans a 25-year initiative using satellites to study Earth's atmosphere and ecosystems, emphasizing global environmental understanding.
- Jul 26🔬 Ukrainian Miners Return – Striking Ukrainian miners returned to work following President Gorbachev's promise of prompt elections, signaling political change.
- Jul 27🏔️ Paraplegic Scales Mountain – Mark Wellman, a paraplegic, reached the summit of El Capitan after a nine-day climb using only his arms.
- Jul 28🌍 Soviet Parliament Supports Autonomy – The Soviet legislature endorsed plans for economic autonomy in the Baltic republics, marking a significant shift in Soviet policy.
- Jul 29📡 Coca-Cola's Space Dispenser – Coca-Cola patents a drink dispensing machine designed for use in outer space, aiming for the planned space station.
- Jul 30🏇 King Glorious Wins – King Glorious secured a three-length victory in the $500,000 Haskell Handicap at Monmouth Park, showcasing his racing prowess.
- Jul 31🌍 Chernobyl Danger Persists – New estimates of contamination from the Chernobyl disaster could lead to the evacuation of 100,000 more people living nearby.
Happy Birthday! 1989 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1989 in real headlines. See the 1989 book →
Born in July? Pick the day
Every birthday in July has its own On This Day in Headlines book: