1990 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1990 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 20 Jan Azerbaijan's National Mourning Day: On January 20, 1990, Soviet military forces entered Baku and other Azerbaijani cities to suppress the national independence movement, resulting in the deaths of 147 civilians and injuries to 744 others. This event, known as "Black January," led Azerbaijan to declare January 20 as National Mourning Day. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued statements annually to commemorate the victims and highlight the significance of this day in the country's history. source: mfa.gov.az
- 21 Jan Human chain for Ukrainian independence: On January 21, 1990, over 300,000 Ukrainians formed a human chain stretching from Kyiv to Lviv, commemorating the 1919 Unification Act between the Ukrainian People's Republic and the West Ukrainian People's Republic. This demonstration, organized by the People's Movement of Ukraine (Rukh), was one of the largest public demonstrations in late-Soviet Ukraine, symbolizing the nation's commitment to independence. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Feb Andy Rooney suspended from '60 Minutes' for alleged racist remarks: In February 1990, CBS News suspended '60 Minutes' commentator Andy Rooney for three months after he was quoted in The Advocate magazine as saying that black people 'watered down' their genes because the less intelligent have the most children. Rooney vehemently denied making these remarks, stating, 'I did not say, nor would I ever have thought, that 'blacks have watered down their genes.'' He accepted the suspension in hopes it would not end his career. The suspension was later reduced to one month after public outcry and internal pressure from '60 Minutes' staff. Rooney returned to the program on March 1, 1990. source: washingtonpost.com
- 23 Feb Andy Rooney's '60 Minutes' suspension may end sooner than expected: In February 1990, CBS News suspended '60 Minutes' commentator Andy Rooney for three months following alleged racist remarks attributed to him in an interview with The Advocate, a gay magazine. Rooney denied making the comments, and after receiving numerous viewer complaints and internal pressure, CBS considered ending the suspension early. By late February, discussions were underway to reinstate Rooney, with a potential return as early as March 4, 1990. source: washingtonpost.com
- 03 Mar Carole Gist becomes first African American Miss USA: On March 2, 1990, Carole Gist of Michigan was crowned Miss USA in Wichita, Kansas, becoming the first African American woman to win the title. At 20 years old, she was also the first contestant from Michigan to win Miss USA, ending a five-year streak of winners from Texas. Gist later represented the U.S. at the Miss Universe 1990 pageant, finishing as first runner-up. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Mar Gloria Carter Spann, sister of former President Jimmy Carter, dies at 63: Gloria Carter Spann, the last surviving sibling of former President Jimmy Carter, died on March 5, 1990, at the age of 63. She passed away from pancreatic cancer at Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, Georgia. Spann was an avid motorcyclist and activist, known for her involvement in the Georgia Motorcycle Rights Organization and for being one of the first women inducted into Harley-Davidson’s 100,000 Mile Club. source: washingtonpost.com
- 10 Mar 4th American Comedy Awards held in Los Angeles: The 4th American Comedy Awards took place on March 10, 1990, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony honored outstanding achievements in comedy for the year 1989. Notable winners included Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal for their performances in 'When Harry Met Sally...'. source: upi.com
- 12 Mar Capitol Crawl for Disability Rights: On March 12, 1990, over 1,000 disability rights activists marched from the White House to the U.S. Capitol to demand the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Upon reaching the Capitol, approximately 60 individuals discarded their mobility aids and crawled up the Capitol steps, symbolizing the inaccessibility faced by people with disabilities. This powerful demonstration drew national attention and contributed to the swift passage of the ADA, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. source: bbc.co.uk
- 17 Mar Capucine, French actress, dies by suicide at 62: Capucine, born Germaine Hélène Irène Lefebvre on January 6, 1928, was a French fashion model and actress known for her roles in 'The Pink Panther' (1963) and 'What's New Pussycat?' (1965). She died on March 17, 1990, at age 62, after jumping from her eighth-floor apartment in Lausanne, Switzerland. Police confirmed her death as suicide. She had been living reclusively with her three cats and had reportedly suffered from illness and depression for some time. source: washingtonpost.com
- 20 Mar Gloria Estefan injured in bus-truck collision in Pennsylvania: On March 20, 1990, singer Gloria Estefan sustained a broken vertebra when a semi-truck collided with her tour bus on a snowy highway near Scranton, Pennsylvania. Estefan underwent surgery to implant two titanium rods to stabilize her spine and made a full recovery after extensive physical therapy. source: upi.com
- 22 Mar Broadway production of 'The Grapes of Wrath' opens at Cort Theatre: On March 22, 1990, the Broadway adaptation of John Steinbeck's novel 'The Grapes of Wrath' opened at the Cort Theatre in New York City. Directed by Frank Galati, the production featured a cast including Gary Sinise, Kathryn Erbe, Terry Kinney, Jeff Perry, Lois Smith, Francis Guinan, and Stephen Bogardus. The play ran for 188 performances, closing on September 2, 1990. source: ibdb.com
- 23 Mar Birth of Princess Eugenie of York: Princess Eugenie of York was born on March 23, 1990, at the Portland Hospital in London, England. She is the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and Sarah, Duchess of York. Eugenie is known for her charitable work and is a prominent member of the British royal family. source: britannica.com
- 24 Mar Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie announces early retirement: On March 26, 1990, Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie announced his decision to retire on January 31, 1991, nine months before reaching the Church of England's mandatory retirement age of 70. Citing exhaustion from addressing sensitive issues like the ordination of women and divisions between Catholics and Evangelicals, Runcie expressed a desire to spend more time with his family. His successor, George Carey, was appointed in July 1990 and formally installed on March 27, 1991. source: deseret.com
- 25 Mar Lettice and Lovage Broadway premiere: Peter Shaffer's comedy 'Lettice and Lovage' premiered on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on March 25, 1990, following a preview performance on March 13, 1990. The production ran for 286 performances, closing on December 23, 1990. Dame Maggie Smith and Margaret Tyzack reprised their roles from the London production, earning Tony Awards for Best Actress and Best Featured Actress in a Play, respectively. source: broadwayworld.com
- 27 Mar Jesse Owens posthumously awarded Congressional Gold Medal: On March 28, 1990, President George H. W. Bush posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Jesse Owens, honoring his athletic achievements and humanitarian contributions. Owens, who passed away in 1980, gained international fame by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, challenging Nazi ideologies of racial superiority. The medal was presented to his widow, Ruth Owens, in a ceremony at the White House. source: congress.gov
- 17 Apr Death of civil rights leader Ralph David Abernathy: Ralph David Abernathy, a prominent civil rights leader and close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., died on April 17, 1990, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 64. He passed away from cardiac arrest at Emory Crawford Long Memorial Hospital. Abernathy was instrumental in the civil rights movement, co-founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and leading the Poor People's Campaign after King's assassination. source: washingtonpost.com
- 21 Apr Erté (Romain de Tirtoff) passes away: Erté, born Romain de Tirtoff on November 23, 1892, in St. Petersburg, Russia, was a renowned artist and designer known for his contributions to the Art Deco movement. He passed away in Paris, France, on April 21, 1990, at the age of 97. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 16 Jun Nelson and Winnie Mandela visit Leidseplein, Amsterdam: On June 16, 1990, Nelson and Winnie Mandela visited Leidseplein in Amsterdam, where they were greeted by a crowd of 20,000 supporters. During this visit, Mandela addressed a Labour Party meeting and met with representatives of the Dutch solidarity movement. Photographs from this event are part of the Netherlands Institute for Southern Africa's collection. source: archief.socialhistory.org
- 23 Jun Nelson Mandela's visit to Boston in 1990: On June 23, 1990, Nelson Mandela, recently released from 27 years of imprisonment, visited Boston as part of a U.S. tour. He addressed a crowd of approximately 325,000 at the Charles River Esplanade, praising Massachusetts for its leadership in the anti-apartheid movement and urging continued support for sanctions against South Africa. Mandela also visited Madison Park High School in Roxbury, emphasizing the importance of education for young people. source: washingtonpost.com
- 28 Jun 17th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held on June 28, 1990: The 17th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards took place on June 28, 1990, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. The ceremony, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, honored excellence in American daytime programming for the period between March 6, 1989, and March 5, 1990. The event was broadcast live on ABC from 3 to 5 p.m. EST, preempting the regular airing of 'General Hospital'. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 19 Aug Leonard Bernstein's final concert at Tanglewood: On August 19, 1990, Leonard Bernstein conducted his final performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. The program featured Benjamin Britten's "Four Sea Interludes" from "Peter Grimes" and Beethoven's Symphony No. 7. During the third movement of the Beethoven symphony, Bernstein experienced a coughing fit but continued conducting until the conclusion. The concert was later released on CD as "Leonard Bernstein – The Final Concert" by Deutsche Grammophon. source: leonardbernstein.com
- 02 Sep The Grapes of Wrath Broadway run concludes: The Broadway production of 'The Grapes of Wrath' concluded its run at the Cort Theatre on September 2, 1990, after 188 performances. The play, adapted by Frank Galati from John Steinbeck's novel, opened on March 22, 1990, and won the Tony Award for Best Play. The cast included Gary Sinise, Terry Kinney, and Lois Smith. source: ibdb.com
- 30 Sep Dalai Lama unveils Canadian Tribute to Human Rights in Ottawa: On September 30, 1990, the Dalai Lama unveiled the Canadian Tribute to Human Rights, a monumental sculpture in Ottawa, Canada. Designed by artist Melvin Charney, the monument features the first sentence of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in both English and French, symbolizing Canada's commitment to human rights. The Dalai Lama's participation underscored the global importance of human rights and Canada's dedication to these principles. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 25 Oct New York Daily News Labor Strike: Journalists and workers at the New York Daily News initiated a labor strike that would continue until March 1991, disrupting the newspaper's publication and highlighting labor tensions in the media industry.
- 27 Nov Final Swiss canton grants women's suffrage: The last Swiss canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden, granted women the right to vote in local elections, completing the nationwide suffrage movement. This marked a significant milestone in gender equality in Switzerland. source: bbc.com
- 11 Dec Albanian Student and Worker Demonstrations Against Communism: On December 9, 1990, student demonstrators from Enver Hoxha University in Tirana marched through the streets of the capital, demanding an end to dictatorship. By December 11, the number of protesters had reached nearly 3,000. In response to the unrest, the Central Committee of the Albanian Party of Labor announced the Thirteenth Plenary Session for February 1991, signaling a move towards political pluralism. source: en.wikipedia.org
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