What happened in September 1990?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1990, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1🌍 Germany Unification Treaty – The two Germanys signed a treaty detailing the mechanics of reunification, marking a significant step toward a unified nation.
- Sep 2🕊️ Pope Tackles AIDS – Pope John Paul II arrives in Tanzania, addressing the severe issue of AIDS in Africa during his visit.
- Sep 3🏛️ Israel Museum Celebrates – The Israel Museum marks a significant event despite postponing an exhibition featuring works by Rembrandt, Raphael, and Picasso.
- Sep 4🛰️ Countdown Begins for Shuttle – The countdown for the long-delayed shuttle launch is set to begin, with the launch scheduled for 1:20 A.M. on Thursday.
- Sep 5🚀 Astronauts Prepare for Flight – The Columbia and its seven-man crew are set to launch on an astronomy mission, marking the first shuttle flight since grounding.
- Sep 6🌍 Pope Celebrates Mass – Pope John Paul II celebrated Mass at the foot of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, highlighting his connection to the region's Catholic community.
- Sep 7👩🎓 Leaders Honored at Conference – A conference focusing on child care will honor four women leaders, including Margaret Thatcher and Gro Harlem Brundtland, on October 1.
- Sep 8🔬 2 Genes Linked to Disorder – Researchers identify two defective genes associated with cardiomyopathy, a serious heart condition affecting many.
- Sep 9🎤 Gorbachev and Bush Meet – In Helsinki, President Gorbachev and President Bush meet to discuss the Gulf crisis, aiming to strengthen their common approach to the situation.
- Sep 10🌍 Bush and Gorbachev Unite – Bush and Gorbachev demand Iraq comply with U.N. resolutions and withdraw from Kuwait, marking a significant diplomatic moment.
- Sep 11🎭 San Francisco Opera Settlement – The San Francisco Opera announced a tentative settlement, opening its season with Verdi's ''Rigoletto.''
- Sep 12🌍 Gorbachev Endorses Proposal – Gorbachev supports a 500-day plan for free enterprise, backed by Boris Yeltsin, signaling a shift in Soviet economic policy.
- Sep 13🏛️ New Art Museum Design – San Francisco unveils a bold design for a new art museum, aiming to revitalize its cultural scene amid competition from Los Angeles.
- Sep 14🔬 Hubble Telescope Flaw – A design defect in a measuring device, likely worsened by human error, caused the mirror flaw in the Hubble Space Telescope.
- Sep 15🧬 First Human Gene Therapy – A 4-year-old girl became the first person to receive human gene therapy, marking a significant milestone in medical science.
- Sep 16🌍 Cleanup Plan Approved – Florida, sugar growers, and the water district agree on a $120 million plan to clean up the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee.
- Sep 17🏗️ Rebuilding Kuwait Costs – Experts assess the extensive economic damage in Kuwait due to Iraqi occupation and the challenges of rebuilding its infrastructure.
- Sep 18🔬 Craft Sends Views of Venus – Magellan spacecraft has resumed mapping Venus's surface with radar, promising the most detailed imaging of the planet yet.
- Sep 19🌍 Atlanta Wins Olympics – Atlanta is selected to host the 1996 Summer Olympics, defeating Athens in a competitive bid for the centennial celebration of the modern Games.
- Sep 20🏅 Atlanta Olympic Plans – Atlanta designated as the site for the 1996 Summer Olympics, transitioning from promotion to operational oversight for the Games.
- Sep 21🔬 Cystic Fibrosis Breakthrough – Scientists have cured cystic fibrosis cells in the lab by inserting a healthy gene, marking a significant advance in medical research.
- Sep 22🌍 U.S. Airlifts Soviet Christians – The U.S. State Department and a relief organization began an airlift to bring nearly 6,000 Soviet Christians to the United States.
- Sep 23🏨 Grand Hotel Legacy – The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, a symbol of Greek Revival architecture, contrasts modern luxury with its classic charm.
- Sep 24🌍 Swiss Limit Nuclear Power – Swiss citizens voted to prohibit the construction of nuclear power plants for the rest of the century, impacting energy policy.
- Sep 25🦠 Rare Viruses Spreading – Researchers warn that two rare viruses may be becoming more common in the U.S., posing a serious threat to health workers.
- Sep 26🛰️ Venus Mapping Success – The Magellan spacecraft's mapping of Venus reveals an active planet with unique geological features, astonishing scientists worldwide.
- Sep 27🏗️ VW Plant Foundation Laid – Volkswagen A.G. laid foundation stones for a new $3.2 billion car plant in East Germany, marking a significant investment in the region.
- Sep 28🔬 Hair Loss Prevention Breakthrough – Researchers prevented chemotherapy-induced hair loss in rats, paving the way for potential treatments for cancer patients.
- Sep 29🚗 Tire Pressure Gauge Patented – James Jard has patented a tire pressure gauge designed to be mounted in automobile hubcaps, enhancing vehicle safety.
- Sep 30🌍 World Summit for Children – Over 70 world leaders gather at the U.N. to adopt goals aimed at improving life for impoverished children globally.
Happy Birthday! 1990 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1990 in real headlines. See the 1990 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: