What happened in May 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in May 1991, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- May 1🌍 Taiwan Ends Emergency Decree – President Lee Teng-hui declared an end to 43 years of emergency rule, paving the way for greater democracy and closer ties with China.
- May 2🎭 New 'Don Quixote' Premiere – American Ballet Theater premiered a new version of 'Don Quixote' at the Metropolitan Opera House, showcasing energetic performances.
- May 3🌪️ Cyclone Death Toll Rises – Prime Minister Khaleda Zia announced that at least 100,000 people may have died in a devastating cyclone in Bangladesh.
- May 4🔬 Mastodon Yields Organisms – Scientists discovered living bacteria in a mastodon's remains, revealing insights into its diet and extinction theories.
- May 5🌍 Albanian Leader Resigns – President Ramiz Alia of Albania resigns from all Communist Party posts, marking a significant political shift in the country.
- May 6🚀 Astronauts Rush Experiments – Astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery hurried to complete experiments for the Pentagon on the final day of a mission plagued by issues.
- May 7🌍 Smithsonian Museum Approved – The Smithsonian board unanimously approved the establishment of a National African-American Museum in Washington, D.C.
- May 8🎨 Chagall Murals Exhibition – Chagall's murals, banned by Stalin, are exhibited in Switzerland after being hidden for 70 years, showcasing his Russian period works.
- May 9🚴 Tour Du Pont Begins – The 11-day Tour Du Pont, America's premier bicycle race, kicks off with a 3.1-mile time-trial prologue.
- May 10🎨 Rauschenberg Exhibition Opens – Robert Rauschenberg's exhibition, featuring 150 works from a six-year project, opens at the National Gallery of Art.
- May 11🛰️ Memorial to Astronauts – A monument honoring 15 American astronauts killed in duty was dedicated by Vice President Dan Quayle, featuring names cut into polished black granite.
- May 12🏠 Kuwait Brings Refugees Home – Gareed al-Shatta returned to Kuwait, kneeling and kissing the ground, as the country begins repatriating its refugees.
- May 13🛢️ Brazil Hits Oil Offshore – Brazil's Petrobras announces a significant oil discovery off its southeast coast, adding 830 million barrels to its reserves.
- May 14🦈 New Whale Species Discovered – A new species of whale, resembling a dolphin, has been identified in the Pacific, marking the first discovery of its kind in 28 years.
- May 15🌍 Worldwide Illiteracy Declines – For the first time, the number of illiterate people globally has slightly decreased, according to a new U.N. report.
- May 16📸 Feature-Length Cartoons Return – Hollywood studios are reviving feature-length animated films, inspired by the success of 'The Little Mermaid' and a growing audience.
- May 17👑 Queen Addresses Congress – Queen Elizabeth II celebrated U.S.-U.K. cooperation in a historic address to Congress, emphasizing shared values and traditions.
- May 18🔬 Planet Formation Insights – Hubble Telescope observations reveal gas clouds around a star, offering insights into potential planetary system formation.
- May 19🚀 First Briton in Space – A 27-year-old chemist became the first Briton in space, launching with two Soviet astronauts on an eight-day mission.
- May 20🏁 Historic Indy 500 Qualifier – Willy T. Ribbs made history by qualifying as the first Black driver for the Indianapolis 500, completing the record-breaking field for the 75th race.
- May 21🌍 Soviets Enact Migration Law – The Soviet Parliament approved a law granting citizens the right to travel and emigrate freely, marking a significant change in policy.
- May 22🕊️ Gandhi Assassination Shock – Rajiv Gandhi, former Indian Prime Minister, was assassinated, prompting global condemnation and mourning for a significant leader.
- May 23🌍 Syria-Lebanon Pact – Syria and Lebanon signed a treaty in Damascus, marking the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two nations.
- May 24🎉 Ethiopians Celebrate Change – Thousands of Ethiopians rejoiced in Addis Ababa as government crews removed a giant statue of Lenin, marking a significant political shift.
- May 25🕊️ Gandhi Cremated Amid Chants – Rajiv Gandhi, India's sixth Prime Minister, was cremated today on the bank of the Jamuna River amid Hindu chants.
- May 26✈️ Ethiopian Jews Airlifted – Israel celebrates the successful airlift of 14,500 Ethiopian Jews, nearly the entire Jewish population, completed in under 36 hours.
- May 27🌍 Israelis Help Ethiopian Arrivals – 1,200 Ethiopian Jews arrived in Israel, with volunteers flooding the Diplomat Hotel to assist their integration.
- May 28🔬 Record-Breaking Cold Device – A simple device costing a few hundred dollars is achieving discoveries about matter that typically require billion-dollar particle accelerators.
- May 29🚀 Countdown for Shuttle – The space agency began a second countdown for the space shuttle Columbia after checking its new computer parts and fuel sensors.
- May 30🚄 Germany's Fast Train Launch – Germany's state-owned railroad launched its high-speed train service, with trains reaching speeds of 250 mph, at an event in Kassel.
- May 31🌳 Yew Tree Market Surge – The Pacific yew tree, once seen as a weed, gains value due to its cancer-fighting properties, leading to thefts from forests.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →