What happened in January 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in January 1991, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jan 1🔬 U.S.-Soviet Polar Team – The U.S. and Soviet Union agreed to establish a research station on the Weddell Sea ice, marking their first joint scientific effort in Antarctica.
- Jan 2🌄 Thousands Flee Albania – Thousands of tired Albanians fled to Greece today, crossing snow-covered Mount Tsamanta in search of safety.
- Jan 3🏔️ Ski Safety Measures – Legislatures in 25 states pass laws for skier safety, outlining risks and duties of ski-area operators.
- Jan 4💻 In Focus Systems Deal – In Focus Systems licenses color LCD technology to Compaq, marking a significant advancement in computer display technology.
- Jan 5🏛️ World Diving Champion – Fu Mingxia, a 12-year-old diver from China, became the youngest world champion in platform diving at the world swimming championships.
- Jan 6📸 Capturing The Roiling Russians – PBS series 'Soviets' captures the distress and hopes of the Soviet people amid Gorbachev's reforms.
- Jan 7🌍 Soviets Raise Hopes – Soviet statements about the 1983 downing of a South Korean airliner raise hopes for new information on the crash and the victims.
- Jan 8🦴 Fossils Show Primate Split – Paleontologists found fossil skulls indicating that ancestors of apes and humans diverged from other primates millions of years earlier than thought.
- Jan 9🌍 Mandela Calls for Talks – The ANC urged a conference of all political parties in South Africa to facilitate a new constitution for the black majority.
- Jan 10🌍 South Africa Integrates Schools – Black South African children were admitted for the first time to previously all-white classes in 33 public schools.
- Jan 11🌍 Japan Eases Rules – Japan and South Korea signed an agreement to end fingerprinting of Japan's ethnic Korean minority, improving bilateral relations.
- Jan 12🎨 Raphael Painting Sold – Italy purchased an early Raphael painting, "Saint Catherine of Alexandria," for $1.65 million from the Marcos collection.
- Jan 13🌍 Cambodia's Uneasy Truce – Cambodian leaders organized celebrations despite uncertainty over a draft peace settlement, relaxing curfews and showcasing government accomplishments.
- Jan 14🔬 Bach's Handwriting Identified – An early example of Johann Sebastian Bach's handwriting in a musical score was identified in Pittsburgh by a leading expert.
- Jan 15🔬 AIDS Vaccine Safe – Researchers report early results from an AIDS vaccine trial indicate it is safe and well tolerated in uninfected volunteers.
- Jan 16🌍 Gulf Confrontation Begins – As the Gulf crisis escalates, millions of Americans engage in protests and blood donations, reflecting a national sense of urgency and uncertainty.
- Jan 17🔭 Striking Star Images – Hubble Space Telescope captures exciting images and data on some of the most massive stars known in the universe.
- Jan 18🎈 Pacific Balloon Crossing – Richard Branson and Per Lindstrand became the first to cross the Pacific in a hot-air balloon, landing near Yellowknife, Canada.
- Jan 19📺 Lithuanians Resume Broadcasts – Lithuania's independence government resumed TV broadcasts to counter Kremlin propaganda amid rising tensions.
- Jan 20🏛️ Navajo Tribal Democracy – The Navajo Nation inaugurated its first elected tribal president, Peterson Zah, marking a shift towards democratic governance.
- Jan 21🦅 Captive Condors Eggs – Two pairs of California condors have laid eggs in captivity, raising hopes for their eventual release into the wild, wildlife officials reported.
- Jan 22✈️ 159 Freed From Plane – Bulgarian police overpowered a hijacker of a Soviet aircraft, freeing 159 passengers and crew after an emergency landing.
- Jan 23🏔️ World Ski Championships – Marc Girardelli won the men's slalom, marking the opening event of the world ski championships in Austria.
- Jan 24🏈 Super Bowl XXV Preview – The Buffalo Bills' no-huddle offense is a major topic as they prepare to face the Giants in Super Bowl XXV.
- Jan 25🔬 AIDS Deaths Exceed 100,000 – The death toll from AIDS in the U.S. has surpassed 100,000, with nearly a third occurring last year, according to federal health officials.
- Jan 26🔬 Venus Volcanism Discovered – Magellan spacecraft mapping Venus reveals evidence of volcanic activity shaping the planet's landscape and atmosphere.
- Jan 27🏆 Seles Wins Australian Open – Monica Seles claims the 1991 Australian Open title, just 38 points shy of becoming the world's top-ranked female player.
- Jan 28🏈 Giants Win Super Bowl – The New York Giants clinched Super Bowl XXV with a last-second missed field goal by the Buffalo Bills, winning 20-19.
- Jan 29🌍 Rare Slice of Inner Earth – Scientists discovered the oldest known fragments of Earth's mantle in northern Labrador, revealing insights into the planet's evolution.
- Jan 30🔬 Gene Therapy Trials Begin – Two cancer patients received gene therapy, marking a significant step in treating otherwise incurable tumors.
- Jan 31📈 Stock Market Surge – Stock prices soared to a six-month high, with the Dow rising 50.50 points as investors anticipated economic recovery efforts.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →
Born in January? Pick the day
Every birthday in January has its own On This Day in Headlines book: