previous year1989
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
2000next year

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

history

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

  • 01 Feb 1991 South Africa Moves to End Apartheid: South African President F.W. de Klerk announces his intention to repeal all apartheid laws, marking a significant turning point in the country's struggle against racial segregation and discrimination.
  • 02 Feb 1991 Aravinda De Silva's Remarkable Cricket Performance: Sri Lankan cricket star Aravinda De Silva achieved a remarkable individual performance, scoring an impressive 267 runs against New Zealand in a match at Wellington, showcasing his exceptional batting skills.
  • 03 Feb 1991 NFL Pro Bowl: AFC Triumphs Over NFC: The NFL Pro Bowl was held on February 3, 1991, with the American Football Conference (AFC) defeating the National Football Conference (NFC) in a closely contested match with a final score of 23-21. The game showcased the top professional football players from both conferences in an annual all-star exhibition game.
  • 04 Feb 1991 Winnie Mandela Faces Legal Charges: Winnie Mandela, wife of African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela, appeared in the Johannesburg Supreme Court to face serious kidnapping and assault charges, highlighting the complex political tensions in South Africa during the apartheid era's final stages.
  • 05 Feb 1991 Ground Phase of Gulf War Begins: Coalition ground troops cross the Saudi Arabian border and enter Kuwait, marking the start of the ground offensive in the Gulf War, a significant military operation against Iraqi forces.
  • 06 Feb 1991 Ground Phase of Gulf War Begins: Coalition ground troops led by the United States cross the Saudi Arabian border into Kuwait, initiating the ground offensive against Iraqi forces during Operation Desert Storm. This marks a critical turning point in the Gulf War, aimed at liberating Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
  • 07 Feb 1991 Jean-Bertrand Aristide Becomes Haiti's President: Jean-Bertrand Aristide was sworn in as Haiti's first democratically elected president, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political history. His election represented a significant step towards democracy after years of authoritarian rule and political instability.
  • 08 Feb 1991 Roger Clemens Signs Record MLB Contract: Legendary MLB pitcher Roger Clemens signed a groundbreaking contract with the Boston Red Sox, securing a record-breaking annual salary of $5,380,250, which was unprecedented for a baseball player at that time.
  • 09 Feb 1991 Lithuania Votes for Independence from Soviet Union: In a historic referendum, Lithuanian citizens overwhelmingly voted to restore their pre-World War II independence, marking a significant moment in the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The vote represented a powerful democratic movement challenging Soviet control and asserting national sovereignty.
  • 10 Feb 1991 Lithuania Declares Independence from Soviet Union: On February 10, 1991, Lithuania held a historic referendum where citizens overwhelmingly voted to break away from the Soviet Union, marking a crucial moment in the dissolution of the USSR and the restoration of Lithuanian sovereignty.
  • 11 Feb 1991 Founding of UNPO in The Hague: The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) was established in The Hague, Netherlands, as an international organization dedicated to representing indigenous peoples, minorities, and unrecognized nations seeking self-determination and political representation.
  • 12 Feb 1991 Iceland Recognizes Lithuania's Independence: On February 12, 1991, Iceland officially recognized Lithuania's independence, marking a significant diplomatic milestone during the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This recognition was part of the broader international support for Baltic states seeking self-determination.
  • 13 Feb 1991 Amiriyah Shelter Bombing during Gulf War: During the Gulf War, US forces conducted a controversial air strike on the Amiriyah shelter in Baghdad using two laser-guided 'smart bombs'. Allied forces claimed the bunker was a military communications outpost, but the attack resulted in the tragic deaths of over 400 Iraqi civilians, making it one of the most devastating incidents of the conflict.
  • 14 Feb 1991 The Silence of the Lambs Film Release: The psychological thriller *The Silence of the Lambs* was released in American theatres. This groundbreaking film became widely regarded as a classic, winning five prestigious Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Actress (Jodie Foster), and Best Director (Jonathan Demme). The film's critical acclaim and cultural impact solidified its place in cinematic history.
  • 15 Feb 1991 Visegrad Agreement Signed: The Visegrad Agreement was signed by the leaders of Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland, establishing a cooperative framework to transition towards free-market economic systems. This landmark agreement represented a significant step in the post-Cold War economic and political transformation of Central European countries.
  • 16 Feb 1991 Gulf War Bombing of Baghdad Suburbs: During the Gulf War, U.S. and U.K. war planes conducted a bombing raid on Baghdad suburbs, resulting in 11 civilian injuries and 3 civilian fatalities. This incident highlighted the civilian cost of the military conflict.
  • 17 Feb 1991 Cape Verde's First Multiparty Presidential Election: António Mascarenhas Monteiro wins Cape Verde's historic first multiparty presidential election since the country's independence in 1975, marking a significant milestone in the nation's democratic transition.
  • 18 Feb 1991 IRA London Station Bombings: The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) conducted coordinated early morning bomb attacks targeting two major London railway stations: Paddington and Victoria. These terrorist actions were part of the ongoing conflict in Northern Ireland, known as 'The Troubles', aimed at destabilizing British infrastructure and creating widespread fear.
  • 19 Feb 1991 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were documented for February 19, 1991, this period was during the Gulf War, with Coalition forces engaged in operations against Iraq. The world was experiencing significant geopolitical tensions during this time, though this particular date appears to have been relatively quiet.
  • 20 Feb 1991 Fall of Enver Hoxha's Statue in Tirana: In a powerful symbolic moment of political transformation, a massive statue of Albania's long-time communist dictator Enver Hoxha was dramatically toppled by angry protesters in the capital city of Tirana. This event marked a significant turning point in Albania's transition from a totalitarian regime to a democratic system.
  • 21 Feb 1991 USSR Proposes Gulf War Resolution: The Soviet Union announces a diplomatic proposal to end the Persian Gulf War, which the United States immediately rejects as unacceptable, highlighting the complex international negotiations during the conflict.
  • 22 Feb 1991 Gulf War Ultimatum to Iraq: US President George H.W. Bush and US Gulf War allies issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Iraq, demanding the immediate withdrawal of Iraqi forces from Kuwait, marking a critical moment in the Gulf War conflict.
  • 23 Feb 1991 Ground Phase of Gulf War Begins: Ground troops from the US-led coalition cross the Saudi Arabian border and enter Iraq, marking the start of the ground phase of the Gulf War, a critical moment in the military campaign to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
  • 24 Feb 1991 Ground Phase of Gulf War Begins: On February 24, 1991, ground troops from the United States and its allied coalition forces crossed the Saudi Arabian border and entered Iraq, initiating the ground phase of the Gulf War. This marked a critical turning point in the military operation to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
  • 25 Feb 1991 Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact: The Warsaw Pact, a collective defense treaty between the Soviet Union and Eastern European countries, was officially disbanded during a meeting of its members in Budapest, marking a significant moment in the end of the Cold War.
  • 26 Feb 1991 Gulf War Conclusion: US Victory Declaration: President George H.W. Bush declares victory over Iraq and orders a cease-fire, marking the end of major combat operations in the Gulf War.
  • 27 Feb 1991 Gulf War Concludes with Kuwait's Liberation: The Gulf War ended with Iraqi troops retreating and Kuwait being successfully liberated by allied forces after a six-week military campaign.
  • 28 Feb 1991 Gulf War Concludes with Coalition Victory: The Gulf War ends with a decisive 100-hour ground campaign by US-led coalition forces, marking a significant military triumph and geopolitical turning point in the Middle East.