A Day of Tragedy and Reflection: The École Polytechnique Massacre
On December 6, 1989, a horrifying act of violence shocked Canada and the world. A gunman entered the École Polytechnique, an engineering school in Montreal, targeting female students in a rampage fueled by misogyny. Fourteen women were brutally murdered, and 14 others were injured. This tragic event, often referred to as the Montreal Massacre, exposed […]
A Moment of Triumph: The Fall of the Berlin Wall
On November 9, 1989, the world witnessed a historic moment as the Berlin Wall, a symbol of division and oppression, was breached. The fall of the wall not only marked the end of a physical barrier that separated East and West Berlin but also signified the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the broader movements […]
The Central Park Jogger Case Shocks NYC
The attack on a young woman jogging in Central Park on the evening of April 19, 1989, sent shockwaves through New York City and the nation. The brutality of the assault and the subsequent wrongful conviction of five teenagers, known as the Central Park Five, underscored significant issues within the criminal justice system and the […]
Exxon Valdez Crashes
The Exxon Valdez oil tanker crashes into a reef in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling over 11 million gallons of crude oil into the pristine waters, causing one of the worst environmental disasters in history. The devastating spill wreaks havoc on the local ecosystem, leading to extensive environmental damage and long-term repercussions for wildlife and […]
The Ayatollah Khomeini Issues a Fatwa Against Salman Rushdie
On this day in 1989, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa calling for the death of British Indian author Salman Rushdie over his controversial novel “The Satanic Verses,” sparking international debate over free speech and religious censorship.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate Reopens
A symbolic moment in history occurred on December 22nd, 1989, when the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, a powerful symbol of the division between East and West, reopened as the Berlin Wall fell, marking the end of the Cold War era.
David Dinkins Becomes the First African American Mayor of NYC
David Dinkins was elected as the 106th Mayor of New York City on November 7th, 1989, becoming the first African American to hold this office. His historic election marked a significant milestone in the city’s history and paved the way for diverse leadership in major metropolitan areas.