What happened in October 1991?
The top front-page story of each day in October 1991, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Oct 1🌍 Naming of 7 Moons – Six moons of Neptune discovered by Voyager 2 in 1989 have been named after water nymphs and relatives of the Greek sea god Poseidon.
- Oct 2🔬 Test Drug Promising – Researchers reported that an experimental drug significantly improved conditions in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Oct 3🔬 Math Tool Breaks Code – Israeli scientists developed a new mathematical technique to potentially break encryption codes used by businesses for sensitive information.
- Oct 4🧬 Gene Defects Linked – Researchers have identified new gene defects associated with Alzheimer's disease, building on previous findings in the same genetic location.
- Oct 5🌍 Antarctica Treaty Signed – 24 countries, including the U.S., signed an agreement to ban mineral and oil exploration in Antarctica for at least 50 years.
- Oct 6🔬 Gorbachev Signs Accord – Mikhail Gorbachev signed an agreement granting the Soviet Union special association status with the IMF, paving the way for Western aid.
- Oct 7🕊️ Soviet Arms Cuts – Gorbachev responds to Bush's arms initiative, signaling significant cuts in Soviet nuclear weapons and a shift in superpower dynamics.
- Oct 8📜 Oldest Mayan Monument Found – Archaeologists in Belize discovered what may be the oldest known Mayan monument, dating back to 146 B.C.
- Oct 9🎨 Christo's Umbrellas Blossom – Artist Christo unveiled 1,340 blue umbrellas in central Japan, marking the first phase of his ambitious outdoor art project.
- Oct 10🏛️ Getty Center Unveiled – The J. Paul Getty Trust revealed the design for the Getty Center, an ambitious art complex in Los Angeles.
- Oct 11🎭 New Play Premieres – "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune," a play by Terrence McNally, explores love's complexities beyond the fairy tale ending.
- Oct 12🌍 Soviet Republics Unite – Russia and other Soviet republics announced plans to form a new economic community focused on free-market recovery.
- Oct 13🏛️ Pope Visits Brazil – Pope John Paul II begins a 10-day visit to Brazil, meeting with Jewish leaders and addressing church matters.
- Oct 14🌍 Soviet Union Debt Crisis – The World Bank and IMF meeting in Bangkok focuses on Western aid to the collapsing Soviet economy amid growing debt concerns.
- Oct 15🔬 Lead Levels Drop – Lead concentrations in Greenland ice have significantly decreased, indicating the success of global policies to reduce lead pollution.
- Oct 16🏛️ Library Opens in Chicago – Chicago opens a $144 million neo-classical library, revitalizing its downtown area amid nationwide library closures.
- Oct 17🏛️ Five Elected to U.N. Council – The U.N. General Assembly elected Cape Verde, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, and Venezuela to the Security Council, starting January 1.
- Oct 18🌍 Hungarians Aid Refugees – Hungarians open their homes to Yugoslav refugees fleeing violence from the ongoing conflict in Croatia.
- Oct 19🥊 Mercer Retains Title – Ray Mercer knocked out Tommy Morrison in the fifth round to retain his World Boxing Organization heavyweight title.
- Oct 20🌍 Nuclear-Free Seoul – The U.S. plans to withdraw its last nuclear weapons from South Korea, complying with a North Korean condition for international nuclear inspections.
- Oct 21🕊️ Israel Approves Peace Talks – The Israeli Cabinet agreed to participate in a Middle East peace conference, marking a significant step towards negotiations with Arab nations.
- Oct 22🔥 California Fire Disaster – A devastating fire in Oakland has been contained, ranking as the worst in California history, causing significant destruction and loss.
- Oct 23🌍 Summertime Ozone Harm – Scientists found the ozone shield weakened over the U.S. in summer, raising concerns about harmful UV rays affecting people and crops.
- Oct 24🏛️ Sphinx's Age Revealed – Geologists studying the Great Sphinx of Egypt found evidence suggesting it was built thousands of years earlier than previously thought.
- Oct 25🏛️ New Soviet Era Opens – The Israeli Embassy reopened in Moscow after 25 years, marking a significant step in international relations ahead of the Madrid peace conference.
- Oct 26⚾ Franco Becomes U.S. Citizen – Baseball star Tony Franco renounces foreign allegiance to become a U.S. citizen, affirming his commitment to the Constitution.
- Oct 27📚 Gorbachev in Print – Mikhail Gorbachev publishes a memoir detailing the August coup attempt against him, reaffirming his commitment to a reformed socialism.
- Oct 28🕊️ Madrid Peace Talks – Palestinians approach the Madrid peace conference aiming to negotiate modest goals, focusing on retaining occupied territories.
- Oct 29👠 Platform Shoes Return – Platform sole shoes are back in style, revived by Karl Lagerfeld at the Chanel spring collection in Paris.
- Oct 30🗺️ Mideast Peace Conference – Israel and Arab nations begin historic peace talks in Madrid, marking a significant step towards resolving decades of conflict.
- Oct 31🌍 Mideast Peace Talks Begin – Israel and Arab nations engage in face-to-face peace talks in Madrid, aiming to resolve longstanding disputes and share the homeland.
Happy Birthday! 1991 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1991 in real headlines. See the 1991 book →
Born in October? Pick the day
Every birthday in October has its own On This Day in Headlines book: