Timeline

1991

In 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved into 15 separate states, the Persian Gulf war both began and ended and a coup in Haiti overthrew that country’s first democratically elected president. In the U.S., Los Angeles police beat motorist Rodney King on videotape, and Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship. Nirvana released its landmark single “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” helping bring indie music mainstream, while movies like “Slacker” and “My Own Private Idaho” heralded the ascendance of independent film.

Mar

14

European History

Birmingham Six released from prison

In the face of widespread questioning of their guilt, British authorities release the so-called “Birmingham Six,” six Irish men who had been sent to prison 16 years earlier for the 1974 terrorist bombings of two Birmingham, England, pubs.

Birmingham Six

The Birmingham Six wave to relatives and well-wishers outside the Old Bailey following their release from the Court in London Chris Mullin MP with from left: John Walker, Paddy Hill, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter and William Power. Picture Brian Farrell 14/3/1991 (Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI Collection). (Photo by Independent News and Media/Getty Images).

Getty Images

Aug

18

European History

Soviet hard-liners launch coup against Gorbachev

On August 18, 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev is placed under house arrest during a coup by high-ranking members of his own government, military and police forces.

Press Conference by Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, holding documents of his arrest from the attempted coup on Moscow, speaks at a press conference after the coup. Staged in protest against Gorbachev's move toward more democratic policies, the coup ultimately failed, but seriously weakened his power and that of the Communist Party. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Sygma via Getty Images)

Sygma via Getty Images

Nov

07

Sports

Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive

On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. At the time, many Americans viewed AIDS as solely a gay white man’s disease. Johnson, who is Black and identifies as heterosexual, was one of the first sports stars to go public about his HIV-positive status.

Find out what happened on November 7 in this video of This Day in History. On this day in 1874, the Republican Party was first depicted by their elephant symbol in a cartoon in an edition of Harper’s Magazine. On November 7, 1917, the Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, overthrow the government of Russia and seized power. David Dinkins was elected as the first African American Mayor of New York City on November 7, 1989. Lastly, on November 7, 1991, hall of famer Magic Johnson announced his early retirement from the NBA. During a routine physical Magic Johnson was diagnosed with having the HIV virus. Now this hall of famer educates young people around the nation on how to defend themselves against AIDS.

Nov

18

1990s

Terry Waite released after four-year kidnapping in Lebanon

Shiite Muslim kidnappers in Lebanon free Anglican Church envoy Terry Waite after more than four years of captivity. Waite, looking thinner and his hair grayer, was freed along with American educator Thomas M. Sutherland after intense negotiations by the United Nations.

This This Day in History video explains what occurred on November 18 throughout history. On November 18, 1820, the seal hunter Nathaniel Palmer and his crew became the first Americans to visit Antarctica. On November 18, 1883, the United States and Canadian Railroads established the five standard time zones for the continent. This stopped the confusion of having so many different time zones. On November 18, 1963, the Bell Telephone Company unveiled the first ever push button telephone. Lastly, on November 18, 1991, Terry Waite was released by his kidnappers in Lebanon. Waite spent five years in captivity, four of them being in solitary confinement.

Nov

24

Arts & Entertainment

Freddie Mercury succumbs to AIDS

On November 24, 1991, Freddie Mercury, British rock superstar and frontman for the band Queen, died from bronchial pneumonia caused by AIDS.

Freddie Mercury of Queen performs on stage at Live Aid on July 13th, 1985.

Freddie Mercury of Queen performs on stage at Live Aid on July 13th, 1985. (Credit: Peter Still/Redferns/Getty Images)

Getty Images / Peter Still / Redferns

Dec

04

African History

Hostage Terry Anderson freed in Lebanon

On December 4, 1991, Islamic militants in Lebanon release kidnapped American journalist Terry Anderson after 2,454 days in captivity.

Hostage Terry Anderson Soon After his Release

American journalist Terry Anderson speaks at a press conference after his release by his Lebanese captors in 1991. (Photo by Peter Turnley/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

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