What happened in June 1989?
The top front-page story of each day in June 1989, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jun 1🏛️ Johnstown Marks Flood Centennial – Johnstown commemorates the 100th anniversary of the devastating flood that killed 2,209 people, one of America's worst natural disasters.
- Jun 2🩺 New Anemia Drug Approved – The FDA approved a genetically engineered drug for treating anemia in kidney patients, with potential benefits for AIDS and cancer patients.
- Jun 3🔬 New AIDS Study Released – New studies ease fears that AIDS patients may suffer mental deterioration before developing the disease, researchers reported.
- Jun 4🕊️ Tiananmen Square Protests – Students and workers in Beijing's Tiananmen Square demand democracy and an end to corruption, leading to a historic standoff with authorities.
- Jun 5🌍 Khomeini's Death – Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran's Islamic Republic, passed away, leading to significant political changes in Iran.
- Jun 6🌍 China's New Era – A new era in China is emerging as protests continue in Tiananmen Square, challenging Deng Xiaoping's vision for enlightenment.
- Jun 7🕊️ China's Unrest Escalates – Foreigners scramble to leave Beijing as gunfire echoes amid widespread protests against the government crackdown.
- Jun 8🏰 Sand Castle Competition – Architects gathered at Aquatic Park in San Francisco to build sand castles and sculptures despite the cold and rainy weather.
- Jun 9🌍 Turmoil in China – The U.S. Ambassador assured Americans in Beijing that evacuation efforts would be made amid ongoing unrest and protests.
- Jun 10📸 Shanghai Protest Rally – Tens of thousands protested in Shanghai, defying Communist leadership amid ongoing unrest following the Tiananmen Square crackdown.
- Jun 11🏇 Easy Goer Wins Belmont – Easy Goer won the 121st Belmont Stakes, defeating Sunday Silence and preventing him from achieving the Triple Crown.
- Jun 12🗺️ Chang Wins French Open – Michael Chang, 17, made history by defeating Stefan Edberg to win the French Open, becoming the youngest champion in tournament history.
- Jun 13🔬 Supreme Court Ruling – The Supreme Court ruled that victim characteristics unrelated to the crime must be excluded from death penalty jury considerations.
- Jun 14🏀 Pistons Capture Title – The Detroit Pistons won their first NBA championship, sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers 4-0 with a 105-97 victory.
- Jun 15🚀 Titan 4 Rocket Launch – A Titan 4 rocket successfully launched from Florida, marking its maiden flight and becoming the largest unmanned rocket in U.S. history.
- Jun 16🕊️ Gorbachev Hints Berlin Wall – President Gorbachev suggested the Berlin Wall might not be permanent, indicating it could be removed when conditions allow.
- Jun 17🕊️ China's Crackdown Intensifies – Deng Xiaoping links force against pro-democracy demonstrators to the safety of the Communist Party amid escalating tensions in China.
- Jun 18✈️ Jetliner Crash in Berlin – An East German jetliner crashed off the runway in East Berlin, killing at least 17 people and injuring 39 others during takeoff.
- Jun 19🏆 Strange Wins Open Title – Curtis Strange becomes the first man since Ben Hogan to win consecutive U.S. Open titles, showcasing an efficient round of golf.
- Jun 20🌍 New Refuge for Panthers – A national wildlife refuge of 30,000 acres was created in South Florida to help preserve the endangered Florida panther.
- Jun 21🚢 Soviet Ship Rescue – A Norwegian rescue ship saved nearly 1,000 people from a Soviet cruise vessel that struck an iceberg in Arctic waters.
- Jun 22📰 Flag Burning Ruling – The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that political protesters cannot be prosecuted for burning the American flag, affirming First Amendment rights.
- Jun 23🏃♀️ L'eggs Mini Marathon – Mary Slaney participates in the L'eggs Mini Marathon in Central Park, emphasizing the event's recreational spirit for women.
- Jun 24🌍 Stanford Returns Bones – Stanford University will return the skeletal remains of about 550 Ohlone Indians to their descendants for reburial.
- Jun 25🌍 China Ousts Zhao Ziyang – China's Communist Party dismissed General Secretary Zhao Ziyang, marking a significant shift in leadership amid political tensions.
- Jun 26📜 Dead Sea Scrolls Access – Historians accuse custodians of the Dead Sea Scrolls of blocking research, demanding access to unpublished materials crucial for understanding Judaism.
- Jun 27♟️ Deep Thought Wins Championship – Deep Thought, the first computer to defeat a grandmaster, won the World Computer Championship in Edmonton, defeating all competitors.
- Jun 28🏛️ Salvagers Find Galleon – Archeologists discovered a Spanish galleon from the early 1600s off southwest Florida, preserved in deep water.
- Jun 29🔬 AIDS Epidemic Update – The AIDS epidemic shows signs of leveling off, with new cases potentially declining, despite recent gloomy statistics.
- Jun 30📸 Beijing Protesters Flee – Pro-democracy leaders from Beijing reportedly escaped to Hong Kong, raising concerns about future relations with China.
Happy Birthday! 1989 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1989 in real headlines. See the 1989 book →