What happened in August 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in August 1991, 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🛰️ U.S.-Soviet Space Pact – Bush and Gorbachev signed an agreement for cooperation in space exploration, including joint missions on the space shuttle and Soviet space station.
- Aug 2🦅 Condors Return to Wild – California condors, once on the brink of extinction, are set to be restored to the wild after successful conservation efforts.
- Aug 3🚀 Atlantis Launches Satellite – The space shuttle Atlantis successfully launched a large communications satellite into orbit, enhancing data flow from low-orbiting spacecraft.
- Aug 4🚀 Shuttle Crew Measures Ozone – Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Atlantis measured Earth's ozone layer and conducted medical experiments during their second day in orbit.
- Aug 5🏅 U.S. Kayaker Wins Gold – Fidel Castro presented a gold medal to a U.S. kayaker at the Pan American Games, saluting the American flag during the ceremony.
- Aug 6🚀 Astronauts Test Eye Drops – Atlantis astronauts conducted experiments with eye drops in space and relayed images of a hurricane during their fourth day in orbit.
- Aug 7🌍 Astronauts Report Haze – Astronauts on the space shuttle Atlantis reported a thick haze obscuring views of Earth from space.
- Aug 8🚀 Astronauts Experiment Fire – Astronauts aboard the shuttle Atlantis conducted a controlled fire experiment to study flame behavior in space.
- Aug 9🌍 Koreas Join U.N – North and South Korea cleared the final hurdle to join the United Nations, with the Security Council approving their applications.
- Aug 10🌾 U.S. Women's Softball Victory – The U.S. women's softball team dominated the Pan American Games, winning seven matches by a notable margin.
- Aug 11🏅 Sotomayor Soars Record – Javier Sotomayor of Cuba set a Pan American Games record in the high jump, showcasing Cuba's athletic prowess.
- Aug 12🚀 Atlantis Mission Ends – Space shuttle Atlantis returned to Earth after nearly nine days in orbit, marking a successful landing at Kennedy Space Center.
- Aug 13🔬 Shuttle Atlantis Landing – NASA reported that the shuttle Atlantis sustained minimal damage during its nine-day space mission and landing.
- Aug 14🔬 U.S. Soccer Team Gold – The United States soccer team won the gold medal at the Pan American Games, defeating Mexico 2-1 in overtime.
- Aug 15🔬 Atom Electrical Switch – Physicists created an electrical switch made from a single atom, marking a significant advancement in miniaturization technology.
- Aug 16🌍 Soviet-Chevron Oil Venture – Chevron's plan to develop oilfields in Kazakhstan faces skepticism amid fears of capitalism, with Gorbachev urging foreign investor confidence.
- Aug 17🌍 Ethiopia to Airlift Jews – Ethiopia's government agreed to allow Israel to airlift 2,600 black Jews left behind after a previous emergency operation.
- Aug 18🏨 Ramada Opens Hotel – The Ramada Renaissance Hotel Sandakan opened in Borneo, marking the first Ramada in Malaysia with 120 rooms and various amenities.
- Aug 19🕊️ Gorbachev Ousted – Mikhail S. Gorbachev was officially ousted as President of the Soviet Union, marking a significant moment in the nation's political history.
- Aug 20📰 Soviet Coup Ousts Gorbachev – A coup in the Soviet Union led to the ousting of President Mikhail Gorbachev, marking a significant shift in global politics.
- Aug 21🌍 Soviet Coup Begins – Mikhail Gorbachev reportedly arrested in Crimea as a coup unfolds, marking a significant shift in Soviet politics.
- Aug 22🕊️ Gorbachev Returns to Power – President Mikhail S. Gorbachev returned to Moscow after a failed coup, reasserting control over the Soviet Union.
- Aug 23🗽 Gorbachev's Coup Rescued – President Gorbachev credits foreign radio for keeping him informed during the coup, which ultimately failed, preserving his presidency.
- Aug 24🕊️ Soviet Coup Aftermath – The failed coup in the Soviet Union led to significant political changes, with Boris Yeltsin gaining power over Mikhail Gorbachev.
- Aug 25🌍 Gorbachev Resigns – Mikhail S. Gorbachev resigned as head of the Communist Party, effectively ending its 74-year reign in the Soviet Union.
- Aug 26🔬 U.S. Recognition Expected – The Bush Administration is poised to recognize the independence of the Baltic states as early as Monday, naming envoys to the new countries.
- Aug 27🌌 Farthest Quasar Found – Astronomers discovered a quasar 12 billion light-years away using the 200-inch telescope at Mount Palomar, marking a significant cosmic milestone.
- Aug 28🌍 Gorbachev Threatens Resignation – Mikhail Gorbachev threatens to resign unless republics agree to preserve a modified Soviet Union amid rising independence movements.
- Aug 29🌍 New Solar Energy Plant – California utilities announced plans to create an experimental solar energy plant in the Mojave desert, utilizing advanced technology.
- Aug 30🌍 Soviet Union's Demise – The Soviet Parliament voted to suspend all Communist Party activities, marking a significant step towards the end of the Soviet regime.
- Aug 31🪐 Major Venus Landslide – Scientists obtained the first before-and-after images of a significant landslide on Venus, likely caused by a venusquake.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →
Born in August? Pick the day
Every birthday in August has its own On This Day in Headlines book: