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Major Events of December 1991: 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 December 1991 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1991: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1991 Ukrainian Independence Referendum: On December 1, 1991, Ukrainian citizens voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence from the Soviet Union, marking a pivotal moment in the dissolution of the USSR. Over 90% of voters supported independence, signaling the end of Soviet control and the emergence of Ukraine as a sovereign nation.
  • 02 Dec 1991 Ukraine Gains International Recognition: Canada and Poland became the first nations to officially recognize Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union, marking a significant moment in the dissolution of the Soviet state and Ukraine's emergence as a sovereign nation.
  • 03 Dec 1991 Alan Steen Released by Muslim Shiites: US hostage Alan Steen was released by Muslim Shiite militants in Beirut, Lebanon, marking a significant moment in the ongoing hostage crisis of the early 1990s.
  • 04 Dec 1991 Terry Anderson Released After 7-Year Hostage Ordeal: Journalist Terry A. Anderson was released by Muslim Shiites in Beirut, Lebanon, after an extraordinary 6.5-year captivity. He was the last and longest-held American hostage in Lebanon, marking a significant moment in diplomatic and personal history.
  • 05 Dec 1991 Ukraine's First Presidential Election: Leonid Kravchuk is elected as the first president of Ukraine, marking a significant milestone in the country's post-Soviet independence and democratic transition.
  • 06 Dec 1991 Ukraine's Independence Referendum: On December 6, 1991, a historic All-Ukrainian referendum was held where 90.92% of voters overwhelmingly supported Ukraine's independence from the Soviet Union. This referendum effectively marked the legal dissolution of the Soviet Union and the emergence of Ukraine as a sovereign state on the global political landscape.
  • 07 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union officially dissolved on December 31, 1991, marking a pivotal moment in world history. This momentous event signaled the end of the Cold War, dramatically reshaped global geopolitics, and led to the emergence of 15 independent republics, fundamentally transforming the political landscape of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
  • 08 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union and Formation of CIS: Leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine signed a historic agreement at the Belovezhskaya Pushcha Nature Reserve in Belarus, effectively ending the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This momentous event marked the formal dissolution of the USSR, signaling the end of the Cold War era and the emergence of new independent states.
  • 09 Dec 1991 2nd Billboard Music Awards: The second annual Billboard Music Awards ceremony was held, celebrating top musical achievements and performances across various genres. This event recognized the most successful artists and songs of the year according to Billboard chart rankings.
  • 10 Dec 1991 Kazakhstan Gains Independence: Nursultan Nazarbayev is sworn in as the first President of Kazakhstan, marking a significant moment in the country's transition from Soviet republic to independent nation.
  • 11 Dec 1991 Maastricht Treaty: Foundation of the Euro: At their historic meeting in Maastricht, the heads of government of the European Community agree to establish a common European currency (the Euro) and create an independent central bank, with implementation planned by 1999. This landmark decision would fundamentally reshape European economic integration and monetary policy.
  • 12 Dec 1991 Russian SFSR Separates from Soviet Union: The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) officially ceased being part of the Soviet Union, a critical step in the dissolution of the USSR and the emergence of independent post-Soviet states.
  • 13 Dec 1991 Korean Reconciliation Accord: North and South Korea signed a historic accord calling for mutual reconciliation, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough in their long-standing tensions.
  • 14 Dec 1991 Salem Express Ferry Disaster: The passenger ferry Salem Express sank in the Red Sea, resulting in a tragic loss of 476 lives. The maritime accident is considered one of the deadliest maritime disasters in the region's history.
  • 15 Dec 1991 Salem Express Ferry Disaster in Red Sea: The Egyptian ferry 'Salem Express' tragically sank in the Red Sea, resulting in the devastating loss of more than 450 lives. This maritime disaster remains one of the deadliest ferry accidents in modern history.
  • 16 Dec 1991 UN Revokes Resolution Equating Zionism with Racism: The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 4686, which revoked the previous Resolution 3379 that had equated Zionism with racism. This reversal was a condition set by Israel for participating in the 1991 Madrid Peace Conference, representing a significant diplomatic breakthrough.
  • 17 Dec 1991 Patrick Manning Becomes Trinidad and Tobago's Premier: Patrick Manning assumed the role of Premier of Trinidad and Tobago, marking a significant moment in the country's political leadership transition.
  • 18 Dec 1991 General Motors Announces Major Plant Closures: General Motors (GM) announced the strategic closure of 21 manufacturing plants, signaling a significant restructuring of the automotive industry. This decision reflected the company's efforts to streamline operations, reduce costs, and adapt to changing market dynamics during the early 1990s.
  • 19 Dec 1991 Boris Yeltsin Takes Control of Kremlin: In a pivotal moment of post-Soviet history, Boris Yeltsin assumes control of the Kremlin, marking a significant transition of power following the imminent dissolution of the Soviet Union. This event symbolizes the dramatic political transformation occurring in Russia during this period.
  • 20 Dec 1991 North Atlantic Cooperation Council First Meeting: The North Atlantic Cooperation Council (NAC-C) held its inaugural meeting on the same day the Soviet Union officially dissolved, symbolizing a new era of international cooperation and the end of the Cold War.
  • 21 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The leaders of 11 now effectively autonomous Soviet republics signed the Alma-Ata Protocol, establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in place of the collapsing Soviet Union. This historic event marked the official end of the Soviet era and the beginning of a new geopolitical landscape.
  • 22 Dec 1991 Georgian Political Upheaval: Military Coup Against Gamsakhurdia: On December 22, 1991, armed opposition groups in Georgia launched a significant military coup against President Zviad Gamsakhurdia, marking a tumultuous period in the country's post-Soviet transition. The coup represented a critical moment of political instability during Georgia's early independence era, challenging the leadership and democratic processes of the newly sovereign state.
  • 23 Dec 1991 Whitey Bulger Begins Notorious Fugitive Period: Organized crime boss Whitey Bulger went into hiding after being tipped off by his corrupt FBI handler about an imminent arrest. This began a 16-year period of evasion that would become a major embarrassment for the FBI, highlighting systemic corruption within law enforcement agencies.
  • 24 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Gorbachev's Resignation: On December 24, 1991, Mikhail Gorbachev officially resigned as the head of the Soviet Union, marking the end of the world's first socialist state and the conclusion of the Cold War era. His resignation symbolized the final collapse of the Soviet Union and the transition of power to the newly emerging independent republics.
  • 25 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as president of the Soviet Union, marking the historic end of the USSR. Ukraine's referendum is finalized, officially confirming the country's independence from the Soviet Union. This momentous event signaled the end of the Cold War and dramatically reshaped global geopolitics.
  • 26 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union formally meets and dissolves the Soviet Union, marking the official end of the Cold War and dramatically transforming global geopolitical dynamics.
  • 27 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union formally dissolves as 11 of 12 republics sign a treaty forming the Commonwealth of Independent States, marking the end of the Cold War era and fundamentally reshaping global geopolitics.
  • 28 Dec 1991 Ted Turner Named Time Magazine's Man of the Year: Media mogul Ted Turner was honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Year, recognizing his significant contributions to media, broadcasting, and global communication through CNN and his other media ventures.
  • 29 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union formally dissolves as 11 of 12 republics sign a treaty forming the Commonwealth of Independent States, marking the end of the Cold War era and fundamentally reshaping global geopolitics.
  • 30 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: On December 30, 1991, the Soviet Union officially dissolved, marking a pivotal moment in world history that fundamentally transformed global geopolitics. This momentous event signaled the definitive end of the Cold War and represented the collapse of the communist superpower that had dominated international relations for decades. The dissolution led to the emergence of 15 independent republics, with Russia becoming the primary successor state. This geopolitical transformation reshaped global power dynamics, ended the bipolar world order, and initiated a complex period of political and economic transition for the former Soviet republics.
  • 31 Dec 1991 Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The Soviet Union officially ceases to exist, marking the end of a global superpower and a pivotal moment in world history. This momentous event signifies the conclusion of the Cold War and the transformation of geopolitical dynamics.