What happened in June 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in June 1991, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Jun 1🚀 Astronauts Set for Liftoff – The space shuttle Columbia and a crew of seven astronauts are set to launch today for a nine-day medical examination in space.
- Jun 2🏛️ Bush Hails Accord – The U.S. and Soviet Union announced a treaty reducing conventional arms in Europe, preparing for a summit meeting between Bush and Gorbachev.
- Jun 3🏛️ Israel Accepts Jordan King's Call – Israel invited King Hussein of Jordan for meetings in Jerusalem, responding positively to his proposal for face-to-face contacts.
- Jun 4🌋 Japanese Volcano Erupts – A volcano in southern Japan erupted, causing fires and raining rocks on villages, marking a significant geological event.
- Jun 5🚀 Shuttle Ready for Liftoff – The space shuttle Columbia is set to launch today with a medical laboratory and cargo of human and animal patients after overcoming mechanical issues.
- Jun 6🚀 Shuttle Columbia Launches – The space shuttle Columbia successfully launched, carrying a crew of seven astronauts for medical missions in space.
- Jun 7🚀 House Approves Space Station – The House voted to allocate nearly $2 billion for NASA's space station program, ensuring its continuation into the 21st century.
- Jun 8📺 Tele-Communications Merger – Tele-Communications Inc. announced a merger with United Artists, acquiring the remaining 46% stake in the entertainment company.
- Jun 9🏨 Reid's Hotel Centenary – Reid's Hotel in Madeira, frequented by elites like Churchill, celebrates its 100th anniversary amidst tropical gardens.
- Jun 10🎾 Courier Wins French Open – Jim Courier defeated Andre Agassi in a historic five-set match, marking his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
- Jun 11🌌 First Metal Asteroid Found – Astronomers using the Arecibo radiotelescope discovered the first metal asteroid with an orbit near Earth.
- Jun 12🌋 Volcano Erupts Philippines – A volcano near a major U.S. air base in the Philippines erupted, prompting evacuations of American workers and local residents.
- Jun 13🏀 Bulls Win First Title – The Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, ending 25 years of frustration.
- Jun 14🗳️ Yeltsin Elected President – Boris Yeltsin wins the first competitive election in Russia's history, marking a significant shift towards democracy.
- Jun 15🚀 Columbia Lands Safely – The space shuttle Columbia successfully landed in California after astronauts feared a cargo-bay door might not seal properly.
- Jun 16🧬 Gene-Altered Pigs Created – Biologists have engineered pigs that produce human hemoglobin, a key component of blood, using genetic engineering techniques.
- Jun 17🌍 Namibia Eligible for Olympics – The International Olympic Committee granted Namibia recognition, allowing it to participate in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
- Jun 18🌍 South Africa Scraps Apartheid Law – South Africa's Parliament scrapped the law that classified citizens by race, a significant step in dismantling apartheid.
- Jun 19🌋 Volcano Cleanup Begins – Cities in the Philippines start cleanup from Mount Pinatubo eruptions, dealing with thick volcanic ash covering thousands of square miles.
- Jun 20🌍 Colombia Bans Extradition – Colombia's assembly voted to ban extraditions of criminals, leading drug lord Pablo Escobar to surrender to authorities.
- Jun 21📜 Original Declaration Found – A copy of the Declaration of Independence, long thought to be a reprint, was confirmed as an original by the Maine Historical Society.
- Jun 22🔬 Pre-Human Jawbone Discovered – A jawbone potentially linking apes and humans has been found in southern Africa, offering insights into human evolution.
- Jun 23🌍 Yeltsin's Return – Boris Yeltsin's return marks a shift in Soviet-American relations, ending a period of eccentric behavior and signaling a new era.
- Jun 24🏛️ Berlin Government Moves – The German Government will soon relocate to Berlin, raising questions about housing for 100,000 officials and workers.
- Jun 25🔬 Bowhead Whale Recovery – Scientists report that the bowhead whale, once near extinction, is rebounding in Alaskan waters, marking a significant conservation success.
- Jun 26🌍 Slovenia Declares Independence – Slovenia's parliament passed a declaration of independence, signaling a potential secession from Yugoslavia amid rising tensions.
- Jun 27🔬 Neanderthal Epoch Confirmed – Scientists confirm Neanderthals lived in Western Europe as recently as 36,000 years ago, after modern humans appeared.
- Jun 28🔬 Brain Recovery Research – Research on monkeys indicates adult primate brains may recover from injuries more fully than previously believed, sparking debate in animal rights.
- Jun 29🔬 Pesticide Uses Bacteria – A biotechnology company has patented an insecticide using genetic engineering to target pests while protecting crops.
- Jun 30♟️ Kasparov's Streak Ends – World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov's remarkable winning streak comes to an end, highlighting the unpredictability of the sport.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →