Major Events of January 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 January 1991 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of January 1991: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jan 1991 Iraq Rejects Peace Proposal: In the lead-up to the Gulf War, Iraq rejected a peace proposal from Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, escalating tensions in the Middle East and signaling potential military conflict.
- 02 Jan 1991 US Army Helicopter Shot Down in El Salvador: In a tragic incident in eastern El Salvador, Salvadoran rebels shot down a United States Army helicopter and executed two of the three crew members, escalating tensions in the region's ongoing conflict.
- 03 Jan 1991 Israel Reopens Consulate in USSR: After 23 years of diplomatic absence, Israel reopened its consulate in the Soviet Union, signaling a potential thaw in diplomatic relations during the late Cold War period.
- 04 Jan 1991 Iraq-US Diplomatic Negotiations: Iraq agreed to send Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz to Geneva for a critical diplomatic meeting with US Secretary of State James Baker on January 9th, amid escalating tensions leading to the Gulf War.
- 05 Jan 1991 South Ossetia War Begins: Georgian troops launched an attack on Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, initiating the complex and violent 1991-1992 South Ossetia War, which would have significant geopolitical implications.
- 06 Jan 1991 Jorge Serrano Elías Elected President of Guatemala: Jorge Serrano Elías was elected as the President of Guatemala in a significant democratic transition, marking a new political era for the country.
- 07 Jan 1991 Baker-Aziz Diplomatic Meeting on Kuwait: United States Secretary of State James Baker met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz in a critical diplomatic effort to resolve the Gulf Crisis, but failed to negotiate Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait, heightening tensions leading to the Gulf War.
- 08 Jan 1991 Cannon Street Station Train Crash: A tragic train accident at Cannon Street station in London results in two fatalities and over 500 injuries. An official inquiry determines the driver was responsible for the crash, highlighting critical safety concerns in railway transportation.
- 09 Jan 1991 Baker-Aziz Geneva Peace Talks Collapse: U.S. Secretary of State James Baker and Iraqi Foreign Minister Tariq Aziz meet in Geneva, Switzerland, in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to resolve the Persian Gulf crisis. The talks ultimately fail to prevent potential military confrontation.
- 10 Jan 1991 US Congress Debates Persian Gulf Crisis: The United States Congress initiated critical discussions regarding the escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf, setting the stage for potential military intervention in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
- 11 Jan 1991 US Congress Authorizes Military Action Against Iraq: The U.S. Congress empowers President George H.W. Bush to potentially order military action against Iraq, setting the stage for the impending Gulf War.
- 12 Jan 1991 UN Deadline Expires for Iraqi Withdrawal from Kuwait: The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, setting the stage for the imminent launch of Operation Desert Storm, a pivotal moment in the Gulf War.
- 13 Jan 1991 Soviet Military Assault on Vilnius TV Tower: On January 13, 1991, Soviet troops launched a violent assault on the Vilnius TV tower in Lithuania, killing 14 unarmed civilians and injuring approximately 1,000 independence supporters. This brutal crackdown was part of the Soviet Union's attempt to suppress Lithuania's growing independence movement during the final years of the USSR.
- 14 Jan 1991 Valentin Pavlov Becomes Soviet Premier: Valentin Pavlov was appointed as the new Premier of the USSR, a critical leadership position during the final months of the Soviet Union's existence.
- 15 Jan 1991 UN Deadline Expires for Iraq's Kuwait Withdrawal: The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, setting the stage for the imminent launch of Operation Desert Storm, a pivotal moment in the Gulf War that would dramatically reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics.
- 16 Jan 1991 Persian Gulf War Begins: The Persian Gulf War commenced on January 16, 1991, with a comprehensive U.S.-led air offensive against Iraq. Triggered by Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, President George H.W. Bush officially announced the start of Operation Desert Storm from the Oval Office. This marked the beginning of a six-week military conflict that would reshape geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.
- 17 Jan 1991 Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm Begins: The Gulf War, also known as Operation Desert Storm, commenced as a US-led military operation to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait. This marked a significant international military intervention in the Middle East, involving a coalition of nations against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
- 18 Jan 1991 Iraq Launches SCUD Missiles Against Israel During Gulf War: During the Gulf War, Iraq launched SCUD missiles targeting Israel, escalating regional tensions and drawing international attention to the conflict.
- 19 Jan 1991 US Fighter Jets Shot Down: Two F-16Cs from the 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron, based in Torrejon Air Base, Spain, are shot down by surface-to-air missiles during the Gulf War, with pilots taken as prisoners.
- 20 Jan 1991 US Patriot Missiles Intercept Iraqi Missiles: US military begins successfully using Patriot missile defense systems to shoot down Iraqi missiles, marking a significant technological and strategic moment in the Gulf War.
- 21 Jan 1991 SCUD Missile Attack on Israel: During the Gulf War, three SCUD missiles and one Patriot missile struck Ramat Gan, Israel, resulting in 96 injuries and tragically causing three elderly individuals to die from heart attacks due to the stress and shock.
- 22 Jan 1991 Gulf War: Missile Attack on Ramat Gan: During the Gulf War, Ramat Gan, Israel, was struck by three SCUD missiles and one Patriot missile, causing significant casualties. The attack resulted in 96 people being injured, and tragically, three elderly individuals died from heart attacks triggered by the intense stress and shock of the bombardment.
- 23 Jan 1991 Bagogwe Massacre: A tragic ethnic violence event where Tutsi people were systematically killed in and around Ruhengeri, Northern Rwanda, representing a horrific moment in the region's pre-genocide tensions.
- 24 Jan 1991 Overthrow of Siad Barre in Somalia: President Siad Barre was overthrown, plunging Somalia into a devastating civil war. Three days after his removal, Ali Mahdi Muhammad was inaugurated as the next president, marking a tumultuous period in Somali political history.
- 25 Jan 1991 Noriega Asset Negotiations: Deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is granted access to previously frozen US government assets, a significant development in his legal proceedings following the US invasion of Panama.
- 26 Jan 1991 Somalia Political Upheaval: President Siad Barre Flees: Somali President Mohamed Siad Barre flees his compound in Mogadishu, marking the beginning of the country's descent into civil war.
- 27 Jan 1991 Super Bowl XXV: The New York Giants narrowly defeat the Buffalo Bills 20-19 in Super Bowl XXV at Tampa Stadium. Running back Ottis Anderson is named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player for his outstanding performance.
- 28 Jan 1991 Siad Barre Flees Somalia, Ending Dictatorial Rule: Somali dictator Siad Barre was forced to flee the country, concluding his 22-year authoritarian regime. This marked a significant turning point in Somali political history and set the stage for subsequent political instability.
- 29 Jan 1991 Battle of Khafji in Gulf War: The Battle of Khafji marks the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War, occurring between Iraqi and Saudi Arabian forces. This battle was significant as it was the deadliest ground confrontation during the conflict, representing a critical moment in the military operations against Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
- 30 Jan 1991 Death of John Bardeen, Renowned Physicist: John Bardeen, a distinguished American physicist and two-time Nobel Prize laureate, passed away. Known for groundbreaking work in semiconductor physics and superconductivity, Bardeen was the first person to win the Nobel Prize in Physics twice - first in 1956 for the transistor and again in 1972 for the theory of superconductivity.
- 31 Jan 1991 Battle of Khafji Concludes: The three-day Battle of Khafji in Saudi Arabia comes to an end, marking a significant engagement during the Gulf War where coalition forces repelled Iraqi military incursions.