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Major Events of May 1990: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from May 1990 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of May 1990: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1990 Bicesse Accords in Angola: The Angolan Civil War combatants, the MPLA and UNITA, agree to the Bicesse Accords, a significant diplomatic effort to resolve the long-standing conflict. The formal signing will take place on May 31 in Lisbon, marking a potential turning point in Angola's political landscape.
  • 02 May 1990 South Africa Apartheid Negotiations Begin: A pivotal moment in South African history occurred as the government and the African National Congress (ANC) initiated talks to dismantle the apartheid system. These negotiations represented a critical step towards ending racial segregation and establishing a democratic South Africa.
  • 03 May 1990 Uneventful Day in Global History: On May 3, 1990, no significant global events were recorded. This day represents a moment of relative calm during the late Cold War period, with no major political, social, or technological developments of widespread historical importance.
  • 04 May 1990 Latvia's Parliamentary Vote for Independence: Latvia's parliament unanimously votes 138-0 (with one abstention) to declare independence from the Soviet Union, a pivotal moment in the country's path to sovereignty.
  • 05 May 1990 116th Kentucky Derby Winner: Craig Perret rode Unbridled to victory in the 116th Kentucky Derby, completing the race in an impressive time of 2 minutes and 2 seconds, marking another memorable moment in horse racing history.
  • 06 May 1990 PW Botha Quits National Party: Former South African President PW Botha officially resigns from the ruling National Party, marking a significant moment in the country's political transition away from apartheid.
  • 07 May 1990 Hubble Space Telescope Launch: On May 7, 1990, NASA successfully deployed the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) into low Earth orbit, marking a pivotal moment in astronomical research. This groundbreaking space observatory, named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, was designed to capture unprecedented high-resolution images of celestial objects, free from the atmospheric distortions that limit ground-based telescopes. The Hubble Space Telescope would go on to provide scientists with extraordinary insights into the universe, revealing intricate details of distant galaxies, nebulae, and planetary systems, and helping to reshape our understanding of cosmic evolution and structure.
  • 08 May 1990 Estonia's Reindependence Day: On May 8, 1990, Estonia declared its independence from the Soviet Union, marking a crucial moment in the country's path to sovereignty during the dissolution of the USSR.
  • 09 May 1990 South Korean Anti-Government Protests Escalate: Tensions rise in South Korea as police engage in confrontations with anti-government protesters in Seoul and two additional cities, highlighting growing political unrest and demands for democratic reforms during this critical period of the nation's political transition.
  • 10 May 1990 French TGV Train Sets World Speed Record: The French high-speed train (TGV) achieved a remarkable world record by reaching an unprecedented speed of 510.6 kilometers per hour (317.3 miles per hour), demonstrating cutting-edge rail technology and engineering prowess.
  • 11 May 1990 Yankees-Angels Trade: Dave Winfield and Mike Witt Swap: On May 11, 1990, the New York Yankees and California Angels completed a significant player trade. The Yankees traded veteran outfielder Dave Winfield to the Angels in exchange for pitcher Mike Witt. This trade represented a strategic move for both teams, potentially reshaping their roster dynamics and performance strategies.
  • 12 May 1990 WHO Removes Homosexuality from Mental Disorders List: The World Health Organization (WHO) officially removed homosexuality from its classification of mental disorders, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights and challenging long-standing medical stigmatization of sexual orientation. This decision represented a crucial step towards reducing discrimination and promoting understanding of sexual diversity in global health standards.
  • 13 May 1990 US Airmen Killed in Philippines: In the Philippines, gunmen killed two United States Air Force airmen near Clark Air Base on the eve of critical negotiations between the Philippines and the United States regarding the future of American military bases in the country.
  • 14 May 1990 Dow Jones Industrial Average Reaches Record High: On May 14, 1990, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) hit a record closing price of 2,821.53, signaling strong investor confidence and economic growth during the early 1990s. This milestone represented a significant moment in financial markets, reflecting the robust performance of major U.S. corporations.
  • 15 May 1990 Torreón Massacre: During the Mexican Revolution, forces led by Francisco I. Madero launched a brutal attack on Chinese and Japanese immigrant communities in Torreón, resulting in the tragic deaths of over 300 Chinese and five Japanese immigrants. This event highlighted the racial tensions and violence of the period.
  • 16 May 1990 Deaths of Notable Entertainment Figures: Two significant entertainment personalities passed away: Jim Henson, the legendary American puppeteer and director known for creating the Muppets, and Sammy Davis Jr., a renowned entertainer and member of the famous Rat Pack.
  • 17 May 1990 WHO Removes Homosexuality from Mental Illness Classification: In a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ rights, the World Health Organization's General Assembly officially removed homosexuality from its list of psychiatric diseases on May 17, 1990, marking a critical advancement in understanding sexual orientation as a natural human variation.
  • 18 May 1990 German Reunification Economic Treaty: East Germany and West Germany signed a historic treaty to merge their economic and social systems, marking a significant step towards German reunification. The treaty was set to take effect on July 1, 1990, symbolizing the end of decades of division and the beginning of a unified German state.
  • 19 May 1990 Romania Holds First Post-Communist Elections: Romania conducts its inaugural presidential and parliamentary elections following the fall of the Communist regime, marking a critical moment in the country's transition to democracy.
  • 20 May 1990 Hubble Space Telescope First Images: The Hubble Space Telescope, a revolutionary orbital observatory, transmits its first photographs from space, inaugurating a new era of astronomical observation and scientific discovery.
  • 21 May 1990 First Democratic Election in Russian SFSR: Boris Yeltsin was elected as the first democratically chosen president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Russia's transition to democracy.
  • 22 May 1990 Microsoft Windows 3.0 Launch: Microsoft introduces and ships Windows 3.0 at the Center City at Columbus Circle in New York. This groundbreaking version allows addressing memory above 640 kB, representing a significant leap in personal computing capabilities. Microsoft invested US$3 million in opening-day marketing as part of a US$10 million promotional campaign.
  • 23 May 1990 US Savings and Loan Crisis Estimated Cost: Government estimates reveal the potential cost of rescuing failing savings and loan institutions could reach up to $130 billion, highlighting the severe financial challenges facing the US banking sector.
  • 24 May 1990 Oakland Car Bombing of Environmental Activists: A car carrying environmental activists Judi Bari and Darryl Cherney from Earth First! was bombed in Oakland, California, critically injuring both. This incident raised significant questions about the safety of environmental protesters and potential targeted violence.
  • 25 May 1990 Unification of Yemen: On May 25, 1990, North Yemen (Yemen Arab Republic) and South Yemen (People's Democratic Republic of Yemen) officially merged to form the Republic of Yemen, ending decades of political division. This historic unification marked a significant moment in the Arabian Peninsula's geopolitical landscape, bringing together two regions with distinct political and ideological backgrounds. The merger was the result of long negotiations and represented a complex political reconciliation between the socialist-oriented South and the more conservative North.
  • 26 May 1990 China's Nuclear Test at Lop Nor: The People's Republic of China conducted a nuclear test at the Lop Nor nuclear test site in Xinjiang. This test was part of China's ongoing nuclear weapons development program during the late Cold War period, demonstrating the country's military technological capabilities.
  • 27 May 1990 Historic Burmese General Election: In a landmark democratic moment, the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won Burma's first multiparty election in 30 years, signaling a potential shift towards democratic governance.
  • 28 May 1990 César Gaviria Trujillo Becomes President of Colombia: César Gaviria Trujillo was officially installed as the President of Colombia, marking a significant moment in the country's political transition during the early 1990s.
  • 29 May 1990 Boris Yeltsin Elected President of Russian Republic: In a pivotal moment of political transformation, Boris Yeltsin is democratically elected as President of the Russian Republic, marking a significant step in Russia's transition from Soviet rule towards a more democratic system. This election would prove crucial in the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union.
  • 30 May 1990 Bush-Gorbachev Summit Begins: U.S. President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev commenced a four-day summit meeting in Washington, D.C., symbolizing ongoing diplomatic relations during the late Cold War period.
  • 31 May 1990 Seinfeld TV Series Premiere: The pilot episode of Seinfeld, titled 'Seinfeld Chronicles', premiered on NBC, marking the beginning of one of the most iconic sitcoms in television history. Starring Jerry Seinfeld, the show would go on to revolutionize comedy television with its unique observational humor and quirky characters.