February 1989

Thursday 02:

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan: The last Soviet Union armored column leaves Kabul ending nine years of military occupation.

Friday 03:

After a stroke, P.W. Botha resigns party leadership and the presidency of South Africa.

Wednesday 08:

An Independent Air Boeing 707 crashes into Santa Maria mountain in Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal killing 144.

Friday 10:

Ron Brown is elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee becoming the first African American to lead a major American political party.

Tuesday 14:

The first of 24 satellites of the Global Positioning System is placed into orbit.

Wednesday 15:

Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops had left Afghanistan.

Thursday 16:

Pan Am flight 103: Investigators announce that the cause of the crash was a bomb hidden inside a radio-cassette player.

Friday 24:

United Airlines Flight 811, bound forNew Zealand from Honolulu, Hawaii, rips open during flight, sucking 9 passengers and crew out of the first-class section.

Monday 27:

Venezuela is rocked by the Caracazo.