Major Events of May 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 May 1991 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of May 1991: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 May 1991 Angolan Civil War Concludes: The long-running Angolan Civil War officially came to an end, marking a significant moment of potential peace for the war-torn African nation.
- 02 May 1991 End of Angolan Civil War: The Angolan Civil War, a prolonged and devastating conflict that lasted nearly three decades, officially concluded on May 1, 1991. This marked a significant turning point in Angola's history, potentially opening the path for national reconciliation and reconstruction after years of intense internal strife.
- 03 May 1991 Declaration of Windhoek on Media Freedom: The Declaration of Windhoek, a landmark document promoting press freedom and independent journalism in Africa, was signed in Namibia. This declaration became a pivotal moment for media rights and democratic principles in the African continent.
- 04 May 1991 Space Shuttle Discovery Launches Mission STS-39: NASA launched the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-39, which included the deployment of the Air Force's P-78 satellite, contributing to military and scientific space exploration efforts.
- 05 May 1991 Time Magazine Criticizes Scientology: Time magazine published a provocative article titled 'The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power', offering a scathing critique of the Church of Scientology and drawing significant public attention to the controversial organization.
- 06 May 1991 Dow Jones Industrial Average Rebalancing: The Dow Jones Industrial Average undergoes a significant index restructuring, removing Navistar International Corp., USX Corporation, and Primerica Corporation, and introducing Caterpillar Incorporated, Walt Disney Company, and J.P. Morgan & Company, reflecting evolving market dynamics.
- 07 May 1991 French Nuclear Test at Muruora Island: France conducted a nuclear test at Muruora Island in French Polynesia, continuing its nuclear weapons testing program in the Pacific region. Such tests were controversial due to potential environmental and health impacts.
- 08 May 1991 CIA Director William H. Webster Resigns: William H. Webster, a prominent intelligence leader, stepped down from his position as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on May 8, 1991. Webster, who had served during a critical period of global political transition following the end of the Cold War, concluded his tenure after making significant contributions to U.S. intelligence operations.
- 09 May 1991 Death of Rudolf Serkin: Rudolf Serkin, a renowned Bohemian-American classical pianist known for his exceptional interpretations of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, passed away, leaving a significant legacy in classical music.
- 10 May 1991 Death of Armand Boni, Flemish Poet and Writer: Armand Boni, also known as 'Armand the Good', a notable Flemish poet and writer, passed away on this date. His contributions to Flemish literature marked an important moment in the cultural landscape of the region.
- 11 May 1991 Death of North Korean Foreign Minister Ho Dam: Ho Dam, who served as the foreign minister of North Korea from 1970 to 1983, passed away on May 11, 1991. He was a significant diplomatic figure during a critical period of the Cold War era in North Korean foreign relations.
- 12 May 1991 Nepal's Historic Multiparty Legislative Election: Nepal conducted its first multiparty legislative election since 1959, marking a significant milestone in the country's democratic transition and political reform process.
- 13 May 1991 Winnie Mandela Convicted of Kidnapping: South African anti-apartheid activist Winnie Mandela was convicted of kidnapping four Black individuals, a controversial legal case that highlighted tensions during the late apartheid era.
- 14 May 1991 Winnie Mandela Sentenced for Kidnapping: South African anti-apartheid activist Winnie Mandela was sentenced to six years in prison for her role in the kidnapping and beating of four youths, one of whom tragically died. This event highlighted the complex and controversial nature of her activism during the tumultuous period of South African apartheid.
- 15 May 1991 Edith Cresson Becomes France's First Female Prime Minister: Edith Cresson of the Socialist Party made history by becoming France's first female Prime Minister. However, her tenure was short-lived, lasting less than a year due to rising unemployment and declining party support.
- 16 May 1991 Queen Elizabeth II Addresses U.S. Congress: Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom made history by becoming the first British monarch to address a joint session of the United States Congress. This diplomatic milestone symbolized the strong historical and political ties between the United Kingdom and the United States during the early 1990s.
- 17 May 1991 Disney's Port Orleans Resort Opens: Disney's Port Orleans Resort, a new themed hotel at Walt Disney World in Florida, officially opened its doors. The resort features 1,008 guest rooms and adds to the expansive hospitality offerings of the world-famous theme park destination.
- 18 May 1991 First British Astronaut in Space: Helen Sharman from Sheffield becomes the first British person to orbit in space, launching aboard the Soviet Soyuz TM-12 mission, marking a significant milestone in British space exploration.
- 19 May 1991 Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: In a tragic terrorist attack in Sriperumbudur, India, former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated during a public meeting by suicide bomber Thenmozhi Rajaratnam. The explosion killed Gandhi and several others, marking a significant moment in Indian political history.
- 20 May 1991 Soviet Parliament Liberalizes Travel Restrictions: The Soviet parliament approved a groundbreaking law allowing citizens to travel abroad freely, marking a significant step towards individual freedom during the final years of the Soviet Union.
- 21 May 1991 Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi: Former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was tragically assassinated by a female suicide bomber from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during a political rally near Madras (now Chennai). The bombing killed Gandhi and at least 14 other people, marking a significant moment of political violence in India's modern history.
- 22 May 1991 Channel Tunnel Breakthrough: Historic breakthrough of the North rail tunnel connecting England and France, a major engineering achievement in trans-European infrastructure.
- 23 May 1991 Supreme Court Restricts Abortion Counseling: The United States Supreme Court issues a landmark decision barring federally subsidized clinics from discussing abortion as a viable medical option, significantly impacting reproductive healthcare counseling.
- 24 May 1991 Operation Solomon Begins: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir authorizes Operation Solomon, a covert and dramatic airlift operation to rescue Ethiopian Jews and bring them to Israel. This humanitarian mission involved rapidly transporting thousands of Ethiopian Jews to Israel in just 36 hours, using a fleet of military aircraft.
- 25 May 1991 Operation Solomon: Mass Ethiopian Jewish Migration to Israel: Israel conducts a massive humanitarian airlift, evacuating approximately 14,000 Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel community) from Ethiopia to Israel in a single day, a significant moment in Jewish immigration history.
- 26 May 1991 Lauda Air Flight 004 Tragedy: An Austrian Lauda Air Boeing 767 crashes near Bangkok, Thailand, resulting in a catastrophic accident that killed all 223 passengers and crew on board. The aircraft disintegrated mid-flight in the Phu Toei National Park in the Suphan Buri Province, marking one of the most significant aviation disasters of 1991.
- 27 May 1991 Austrian Airlines Flight Disaster in Bangkok: An Austrian Boeing 767-300 aircraft exploded in Bangkok, Thailand, resulting in a catastrophic crash that claimed 223 lives. This tragic aviation incident represents one of the deadliest air disasters of 1991, highlighting significant aviation safety concerns of the era.
- 28 May 1991 Ethiopian Civil War Ends with Capital's Fall: The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) captured Addis Ababa, effectively ending the long-running Ethiopian Civil War and toppling the Derg regime. This momentous event signaled a significant political transformation in Ethiopia, ushering in a new era of governance.
- 29 May 1991 US Supreme Court Ruling on Prosecutor Accountability: In the landmark case Burns v. Reed, the US Supreme Court ruled that prosecutors can be sued for legal advice they provide to police, establishing a new precedent for legal accountability.
- 30 May 1991 Landmark US Supreme Court Decision on Prosecutorial Accountability: The United States Supreme Court issues a significant ruling that prosecutors can be legally sued for the advice they provide to police, establishing a new precedent for professional accountability in the legal system.
- 31 May 1991 Bicesse Accords: Angola's Path to Democracy: The Bicesse Accords were signed, establishing a comprehensive framework for Angola's transition to multi-party democracy, with the United Nations' UNAVEM II peacekeeping mission providing critical supervision and support.