What happened in July 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in July 1991, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jul 1🎾 Historic Sunday for Wimbledon – Wimbledon opened its gates, welcoming fans to a vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement and anticipation for the matches ahead.
- Jul 2🏛️ Soviets Approve Ownership Law – The Soviet Parliament approved a law allowing private ownership of industrial enterprises, breaking decades of government monopoly.
- Jul 3🏗️ Kansai Airport Groundbreaking – Groundbreaking for Kansai International Airport's terminal took place on a man-made island in Osaka Bay with a Shinto ritual.
- Jul 4🇺🇸 Mitterrand Visits Iran – French President Francois Mitterrand announced plans to visit Iran, marking the first European Community leader to do so since the 1979 revolution.
- Jul 5🌍 Strong Quake Hits Indonesia – A strong earthquake measuring 6.4 struck near the Flores Sea, Indonesia, causing concern but no immediate reports of damage.
- Jul 6📦 New Food Labeling – The FDA proposed new food-ingredient labeling rules to address longstanding issues, aiming for improved consumer transparency.
- Jul 7🌍 Yugoslavia Peace Talks Stalemate – Yugoslav national Government's peace talks with Slovenia collapse after Slovenia refuses to give up border posts.
- Jul 8🌍 South Africa: New Reality – The African National Congress emerged from its first national conference in South Africa in three decades, aiming to negotiate against the white-minority government.
- Jul 9🔬 Owls Wear Eyeglasses – Stanford scientists fitted baby barn owls with glasses to study how vision affects sound localization learning.
- Jul 10🏅 Olympics Ban Lifted – The International Olympic Committee lifted a 21-year ban on South Africa, allowing its athletes to compete in the 1992 Summer Games in Barcelona.
- Jul 11🌞 Eclipse of Century – Astronomers prepare for the longest solar eclipse until the 22nd century, with many visitors in Baja California readying equipment.
- Jul 12🌒 Stunning Eclipse Occurs – A total solar eclipse blacked out a 150-mile-wide swath across the Pacific Ocean and the Americas, captivating thousands of viewers.
- Jul 13🔬 Superconductors Patented – A new method for producing high-temperature superconductors in bulk has been patented, addressing challenges in the field.
- Jul 14🌍 Seoul Accepts Talks – South Korea accepted North Korea's call to resume stalled high-level political talks next week, signaling potential diplomatic progress.
- Jul 15🌋 Philippine Volcano Erupts – More than 40 tribespeople were buried alive by volcanic debris while hiding in caves during an eruption in the Philippines.
- Jul 16🌍 Summit in London – Leaders of wealthy nations began their 17th annual summit in London, discussing global issues including Yugoslavia, the Middle East, and the Soviet Union.
- Jul 17🌋 Volcano Stills City – A volcano has transformed a thriving Philippine city into a ghost town, causing widespread fear among its nearly 300,000 residents.
- Jul 18🌍 Nuclear Arms Reduction Pact – The U.S. and Soviet Union reached a strategic arms treaty, marking a significant step in reducing nuclear arsenals.
- Jul 19📈 Gorbachev Returns Home – Economists see Gorbachev leaving London summit as a winner despite lacking firm financial aid commitments.
- Jul 20🚀 NASA Delays Shuttle Liftoff – NASA postponed the shuttle Atlantis launch due to a malfunction in a circuit, affecting the planned deployment of a satellite.
- Jul 21🔬 Yeltsin Bans Communists – President Boris N. Yeltsin issued a decree banning Communist Party organizations from operating in government offices in Russia.
- Jul 22🕊️ Jordan Joins Peace Talks – Jordan agreed to attend a U.S.-proposed regional peace conference with Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.
- Jul 23🔬 Telescope Undersea Project – Drillers began work on a revolutionary telescope to operate three miles beneath the Pacific Ocean, aiming for unobstructed views of distant galaxies.
- Jul 24🌍 Soviets Seek World Bank Status – The Soviet Government applied for full membership in the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, surprising Western governments.
- Jul 25🧬 Gene Is Isolated – Researchers identified the gene behind Marfan syndrome, a significant breakthrough in understanding this connective tissue disease.
- Jul 26🏅 South Africa Olympic Bid – South Africa received an invitation to compete in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, marking a significant return to international sports.
- Jul 27🏛️ Baker Addresses Mongolia – Secretary of State James A. Baker III became the first Western statesman to address Mongolia's Parliament, pledging U.S. support for reforms.
- Jul 28🌍 20 Killed in Quake – An earthquake struck northern Iraq, killing 20 people and destroying 100 houses in two villages in the Erbil area.
- Jul 29🏅 Perfect Game Pitched – Dennis Martinez pitched the 15th perfect game in major league history as the Montreal Expos defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers, 2-0.
- Jul 30🚀 Shuttle Launch Scheduled – NASA cleared the space shuttle Atlantis for a possible launch on Thursday for a satellite delivery and research mission.
- Jul 31🌊 Flooding Deaths Rise – A river burst a dike in western India, leading to potential deaths of 500 people and the destruction of thousands of homes.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →
Born in July? Pick the day
Every birthday in July has its own On This Day in Headlines book: