What happened in August 1990?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1990, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Aug 1🔬 Gene Therapy Advances – A government panel approved experiments for gene therapies aimed at treating human diseases, marking a significant step in medical science.
- Aug 2🎥 Radio Free Europe Broadcasts – Radio Free Europe began broadcasting directly from Prague after 40 years of transmitting news to Czechoslovakia from abroad.
- Aug 3🌍 World Bank Aids Poland – The World Bank announced a $300 million loan to Poland to assist its transition from Communism to a market economy.
- Aug 4🌍 Hungary Elects President – Hungary's first post-Communist Parliament elected writer Arpad Goncz as President, marking a significant political transition.
- Aug 5🌍 Iraq Invades Kuwait – Iraq, led by President Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait, escalating tensions in the Middle East and prompting international condemnation.
- Aug 6🌊 South China Floods – Floods from a typhoon in southern China have killed 108 people and destroyed over 25,000 houses, affecting vast agricultural areas.
- Aug 7🛰️ Magellan Nears Venus – The Magellan spacecraft approaches Venus, set to conduct the first detailed mapping survey of the planet's surface.
- Aug 8🌍 Iraq Jams Voice of America – Iraq has been jamming the Arabic broadcasts of Voice of America for three days, affecting much of its broadcasting to the Middle East.
- Aug 9🌍 Indonesia and China Reconcile – Indonesia and China restored diplomatic relations, ending 23 years of discord between the two nations.
- Aug 10🌍 Soviet Astronauts Return – Two Soviet astronauts returned safely to Earth after a six-month mission, marking a significant achievement in space exploration.
- Aug 11🛰️ Mapping Venus Begins – The Magellan spacecraft successfully entered orbit around Venus to begin mapping its surface for the first time.
- Aug 12🌍 Global Refugee Crisis – Fifteen million people are recognized as refugees worldwide, facing severe deprivation and uncertainty.
- Aug 13🏆 Grady Captures P.G.A. Title – Wayne Grady won the 72nd P.G.A. Championship, overcoming a history of near misses in a dramatic final round.
- Aug 14🔬 Hubble Finds New Stars – Despite optical flaws, the Hubble Space Telescope revealed 60 stars in a prolific star-forming area, surpassing previous estimates.
- Aug 15📚 The Hard Thing About Infant Mortality – A panel recommends key steps to reduce infant mortality in the U.S., addressing the need for a societal shift towards education and support.
- Aug 16⚾ McGwire's Grand Slam – Mark McGwire hit a grand slam in the 10th inning, leading the Oakland Athletics to a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox.
- Aug 17⚓ U.S. Navy Blockade – U.S. naval forces begin a blockade enforcing an embargo against Iraq and Kuwait, amid rising tensions in the Gulf.
- Aug 18🔬 NASA Telescope Update – NASA officials report that a simple fix may correct the Hubble Space Telescope's main mirror flaw, potentially resolving focusing issues.
- Aug 19🌍 Radio Contact Restored – NASA restored steady radio contact with the Magellan spacecraft, continuing efforts to return the craft to normal operation.
- Aug 20🏙️ Berlin Refashions Itself – Berlin prepares for reunification, expected to become the capital of a united Germany, transforming into a major European metropolis.
- Aug 21🔬 Cigarettes Trigger Cancer Gene – Researchers found that chemicals in cigarette smoke activate a gene in lung cells, increasing cancer risk.
- Aug 22🌍 First Images of Venus – Initial images from the Magellan spacecraft reveal Venus's surface better than expected, with the craft functioning normally after a radio blackout.
- Aug 23🚗 Ford Introduces Cars – Ford of Europe launched its new Escort and Orion line of family cars, investing $1.5 billion over five years.
- Aug 24🌍 Kohl Hails Unity – Chancellor Helmut Kohl celebrates East Germany's decision to unify with West Germany on October 3, marking a significant moment in European history.
- Aug 25🌌 Mapping of Venus Delayed – The Magellan spacecraft's mapping survey of Venus is delayed by two to three weeks due to communication issues needing resolution.
- Aug 26🌍 U.N. Calls to Block Iraq – The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution allowing nations to enforce an economic embargo against Iraq by halting shipping.
- Aug 27🌍 U.N. Leader Meets Iraq – U.N. Secretary General to meet with Iraqi Foreign Minister amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf crisis.
- Aug 28🌍 Soviets Open Prisons – The Soviet Union agreed to open prisons and archives to an international commission investigating Raoul Wallenberg's fate.
- Aug 29🌪️ Tornadoes Kill 23 – Tornadoes struck northern Illinois, causing widespread destruction and resulting in at least 23 fatalities and over 280 injuries.
- Aug 30🔬 First Hubble Findings – The Hubble Space Telescope reports unexpected star concentrations and a glowing gaseous ring around a star remnant, delighting astronomers.
- Aug 31🌍 Gulf Crisis Developments – Japan pledges $1 billion for multilateral efforts in the Persian Gulf amid rising tensions and U.S. military presence.
Happy Birthday! 1990 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1990 in real headlines. See the 1990 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: