December 1989

Friday 01:

Cold War: East Germany's parliament abolishes the constitutional provision granting the communist party the leading role in the state.

Sunday 03:

Cold War: In a meeting off the coast of Malta, US President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev release statements indicating that the cold war between their nations may be coming to an end (some commentators from both nations exaggerated the wording and independently declared the Cold War over).

Wednesday 06:

The École Polytechnique Massacre: a man kills 14 young women in Montreal, Quebec.

Thursday 07:

In their third and final fight, Sugar Ray Leonard retains the WBC Super Middleweight championship of the world over Roberto Duran.

Thursday 14:

Chile holds its first free election in 16 years. Patricio Aylwin was elected president.

Saturday 16:

The Romanian Revolution begins in the city of Timişoara as a protest against an attempt to evict a dissident priest.

Sunday 17:

Full-scale street manifestations and riots in Timisoara ignite the Romanian Revolution

Wednesday 20:

Operation Just Cause: United States sends troops into Panama to overthrow government of Manuel Noriega

Friday 22:

1989 - Two Tourist coaches collide on the Pacific Highway north of Kempsey NSW (Kempsey Bus Crash).

Monday 25:

Nicolae Ceau?escu, former communist dictator of Romania, and his wife Elena are condemned to death and executed under a wide range of charges.

Thursday 28:

1989 -A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hits Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, killing 13 people.

Friday 29:

On the final day of trading for the year and decade, the Japanese Nikkei 225 Average closes at an all-time high of 38,915.87.