What happened in November 1989?
The top front-page story of each day in November 1989, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Nov 1📦 2 Hong Kong Members Expelled – China expelled two Hong Kong members from a committee drafting the new constitutional law ahead of the 1997 transfer.
- Nov 2🌍 Major Earthquake Hits Japan – A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off Honshu Island, prompting evacuations in three coastal villages due to tidal wave fears.
- Nov 3🚢 Yugoslav Freighter Rescued – A Yugoslav cargo ship carrying 14,300 tons of phosphate was successfully pulled from a coral reef in the Florida Straits by the Coast Guard.
- Nov 4🌍 East German Reforms – Egon Krenz, East Germany's new leader, promises reforms and urges citizens to stop fleeing the country after talks with Gorbachev.
- Nov 5🎨 U.S. Composers Celebrated – American Music Week highlights the vibrancy of U.S. music with events nationwide, showcasing contemporary and classical composers.
- Nov 6🧱 Berlin Wall Symbolism – As East Germans flee to West Germany, the European Community contemplates the demolition of the Berlin Wall, a symbol of division since 1961.
- Nov 7🦕 Oldest Dinosaur Reconstructed – Scientists have reconstructed the remains of the oldest known dinosaur, a flesh-eating creature that walked on hind legs.
- Nov 8🗳️ Namibians Vote Independence – Namibians turned out in large numbers to vote in elections clearing the way to independence from South African rule.
- Nov 9🗺️ Berlin Wall Falls – The Berlin Wall, a symbol of division, fell today, marking a pivotal moment in history and the beginning of reunification for Germany.
- Nov 10🌍 Berlin Wall Opens – Thousands of East Berliners crossed into West Berlin as the Berlin Wall opened, marking a historic moment in the reunification of Germany.
- Nov 11🎉 East Germans Celebrate Freedom – Hundreds of thousands of East Berliners celebrated as the Berlin Wall opened, marking a historic moment of liberation after 40 years of division.
- Nov 12🧱 Berlin Wall Falls – A million East Germans crossed into West Berlin, celebrating newfound freedom, marking a historic moment in the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- Nov 13🌍 Berlin Wall Opens – East German workers broke through the Berlin Wall, allowing East and West Berlin mayors to meet at the new opening.
- Nov 14🌍 Berlin Wall Falls – The Berlin Wall's fall symbolizes the end of division in Germany, celebrated by leaders like Willy Brandt, marking a pivotal moment in history.
- Nov 15🌍 Kohl Aids Poland – Chancellor Helmut Kohl of West Germany concluded his visit to Poland with a wreath-laying at Auschwitz and a $2.2 billion aid agreement.
- Nov 16🖼️ Annenberg Buys Picasso – Walter Annenberg purchased a 1905 Picasso self-portrait for $40.7 million, marking a significant art market transaction.
- Nov 17🕊️ South Africa Opens Beaches – President F. W. de Klerk ordered the opening of South Africa's beaches to all races, marking a significant step towards desegregation.
- Nov 18🗽 Poles Remove Hated Statue – Workers toppled a statue of Feliks E. Dzerzhinsky, the founder of the Soviet secret police, amid cheers from thousands of onlookers.
- Nov 19🕊️ Berlin Wall Falls – East Germans celebrate the fall of the Berlin Wall, marking a pivotal moment in history and the beginning of reunification efforts.
- Nov 20🌌 Cosmic Evolution Discovery – Astronomers detected light from near the edge of the universe, challenging existing theories of cosmic evolution.
- Nov 21🌍 U.N. Adopts Children's Rights – The U.N. General Assembly adopted an international Convention on the Rights of the Child after 10 years of negotiations.
- Nov 22🗼 Berlin Wall Fragment Gift – West German Foreign Minister Genscher presented President Bush with a piece of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing support for German reunification.
- Nov 23🚀 Shuttle Discovery Launches – The space shuttle Discovery successfully launched at night, marking a significant milestone in NASA's recovery from the Challenger disaster.
- Nov 24🚀 Shuttle Launches Satellite – Astronauts on the space shuttle Discovery successfully placed a Defense Department spy satellite into orbit.
- Nov 25🗳️ Czechoslovak Leadership Resigns – Mass protests lead to the resignation of the Communist Party leadership in Czechoslovakia, marking a significant political shift.
- Nov 26🕊️ Prague Celebrates Freedom – Hundreds of thousands gathered in Wenceslas Square as Alexander Dubcek declared, ''I am among you again,'' marking a pivotal moment in Czechoslovakia's political history.
- Nov 27🏆 Sumo Champion Crowned – Hawaiian wrestler Konishiki wins Japan's Emperor's Cup, marking a significant moment in sumo history.
- Nov 28✊ Czechoslovak General Strike – Millions of Czechs and Slovaks participated in a general strike, demanding free elections and opposing Communist rule.
- Nov 29🏛️ Czech Government Concedes – Czechoslovakia's Communist government pledged to end its 41-year monopoly on power, allowing non-Communist ministers in a new Cabinet.
- Nov 30🔬 Drug Controls Hepatitis C – Researchers find a drug effective against the hepatitis C virus, marking a significant breakthrough in treatment options.
Happy Birthday! 1989 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1989 in real headlines. See the 1989 book →
Born in November? Pick the day
Every birthday in November has its own On This Day in Headlines book: