What happened in April 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in April 1991, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Apr 1🏛️ Soviet Georgians Vote – Georgia votes in a plebiscite for independence from Soviet rule, with predictions of overwhelming support for total freedom.
- Apr 2🖼️ Cuban Art Ban Eased – The U.S. Treasury lifted a 28-year ban on importing Cuban paintings and drawings, allowing their entry into the United States.
- Apr 3🔬 New X-ray Lens Developed – A new type of X-ray lens capable of focusing powerful beams for advanced computer chips and medical applications was developed by American and Soviet scientists.
- Apr 4🔬 NASA Plans Shuttle Launch – NASA aims to launch two space shuttle missions this month, a feat not attempted in over five years, with both shuttles ready for takeoff.
- Apr 5🌍 Ozone Loss Accelerates – The EPA reported that ozone layer depletion over the U.S. is occurring at more than double the expected rate, raising environmental concerns.
- Apr 6🚀 Atlantis Is Launched – Space shuttle Atlantis launched today, carrying five astronauts to deploy a $600 million astronomy satellite and practice space station assembly.
- Apr 7🚀 Gamma Ray Satellite Launched – Astronauts prepare to deploy the Gamma Ray Observatory from the space shuttle, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
- Apr 8🚀 Astronauts Repair Satellite – Two astronauts performed a spacewalk to fix a malfunctioning antenna on the shuttle Atlantis, enabling the deployment of an astronomy satellite.
- Apr 9🔬 FDA Approves New Drug – The FDA approved Ceredase, a drug for Gaucher's disease, aiding thousands in the U.S. suffering from this rare genetic disorder.
- Apr 10🌍 Georgia Declares Independence – The republic of Georgia declared its independence, challenging President Gorbachev's control over the Soviet Union.
- Apr 11🚀 Space Shuttle Delayed – High winds forced NASA to postpone the landing of the space shuttle Atlantis for at least one day.
- Apr 12🚀 Space Shuttle Lands – The space shuttle Atlantis completed its six-day mission with a successful landing today, marking another achievement in space exploration.
- Apr 13🏌️ Watson Leads Masters – Tom Watson surged to the lead at the Masters, thrilling fans with a strong performance on a historic day for golf.
- Apr 14🧬 Breast Implants Linked to Cancer – FDA scientists found certain breast implants can break down in the body, releasing a substance linked to cancer in lab animals.
- Apr 15🚀 Satellite Launched Successfully – A $40 million communications satellite was successfully launched into orbit after delays, joining eight others owned by GTE Spacenet Corporation.
- Apr 16🎨 Bach and Fractals Unite – A scientist and musician son create a system to condense Bach's music, cutting three-quarters of the notes for a new experience.
- Apr 17🛰 Galileo Mission Issues – The Galileo spacecraft's main communications antenna failed to unfurl, threatening its mission to explore Jupiter and its moons.
- Apr 18🪑 Italian Design Fair – The 13th Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan showcases ordinary items redefined, highlighting a revival in Italian design.
- Apr 19🦠 Cholera Epidemic Spreads – A cholera epidemic in Peru has killed 1,100 people and is now threatening Brazil, with confirmed cases reported in border towns.
- Apr 20🌍 Gorbachev Visits Seoul – Mikhail Gorbachev arrives in South Korea for talks, marking the first visit by a Soviet leader to the divided peninsula.
- Apr 21🎨 Barnes Foundation Controversy – Trustees of the Barnes Foundation seek court approval to sell up to 15 paintings against the late Dr. Barnes' wishes, raising concerns among art lovers.
- Apr 22🌍 Gorbachev's Tokyo Miscalculation – Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to Japan was expected to yield significant investments but faced challenges over territorial disputes.
- Apr 23🌍 Earthquake in Central America – A powerful earthquake struck Costa Rica, killing at least 10 people and causing significant damage, with additional fatalities reported in Panama.
- Apr 24🌍 Latin Earthquake Relief – An international relief effort began delivering assistance to Costa Rica after a severe earthquake struck the region, causing significant damage.
- Apr 25🌍 Gorbachev Yields Power – President Gorbachev agreed to share power with Soviet republics, promising reforms to unpopular price and tax policies.
- Apr 26🛠️ Shuttle Ready for Liftoff – NASA announced that the space shuttle Discovery, after repairs, is set for a launch on Sunday.
- Apr 27🔭 Telescope Twin Funded – The W. M. Keck Foundation announced a $74.6 million grant to build a twin of the world's largest telescope in Hawaii.
- Apr 28🌪️ Tornadoes Kill 28 – More than 70 tornadoes swept through seven states, resulting in at least 28 fatalities, including 18 in a small Kansas town.
- Apr 29🏇 Prince Charles Returns – Prince Charles returned to polo for the first time after a serious injury, shaking off jet lag from his recent trip to Brazil.
- Apr 30🌍 Soviet Georgia Quake – A powerful earthquake in Soviet Georgia killed at least 30 people, damaging buildings and cutting off several villages.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →