January
January 1, 1990 - David Dinkins New NYC Mayor
David N. Dinkins made history by becoming the first black mayor of New York City. Unfortunately, his tenure was overshadowed by high levels of crime and a massive budget deficit. Dinkins is often criticized for his inadequate response to the Crown Heights Crisis in August 1991, a race riot that erupted between Blacks and Jewish residents in Brooklyn following a brutal attack on Orthodox Jews.January 3, 1990 - Manuel Noriega Surrenders
After seeking refuge in the Vatican embassy in Panama City for ten days, dictator Manuel Noriega surrendered to the United States. American forces had surrounded the embassy, employing tactics such as blasting music and flying helicopters overhead. The U.S. and the Vatican eventually reached an agreement, leading to Noriega's surrender.January 18, 1990 - Marion Barry Caught In FBI Sting
Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry was arrested during an FBI sting operation when he was caught smoking crack cocaine. Despite serving a six-month sentence, Barry made a surprising political comeback; he was re-elected as mayor and served from 1995 to 1999.January 28, 1990 - 49ers Win Super Bowl
At the New Orleans Superdome, the San Francisco 49ers dominated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV with a final score of 55-10. Quarterback Joe Montana received his third Super Bowl MVP award for his outstanding performance.January 31, 1990 - McDonald's Opens In Moscow
The Soviet Union welcomed its first McDonald's restaurant in Moscow. Long lines of eager Russians waited for hours to taste the fast-food chain's signature offerings. One journalist remarked that the Russian enthusiasm for McDonald's demonstrated “the expression of America's rationalism and pragmatism toward food.”February
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February 11, 1990 - Nelson Mandela Freed
South African apartheid resistance leader Nelson Mandela was released from prison after serving 27 years on fabricated charges of treason and sabotage. Four years later, Mandela became President of South Africa, serving from 1994 to 1999.February 11, 1990 - Douglas Defeats Tyson
In a major upset at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, underdog Buster Douglas defeated the previously undisputed and undefeated heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Douglas knocked out Iron Mike in the 10th round, stunning the boxing world.February 12, 1990 - “Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em” Released
Rapper MC Hammer released his iconic album, "Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em". The album remained on the Billboard 200 for 21 consecutive weeks, propelled by its hit single "U Can't Touch This". This success eventually led to MC Hammer's own cartoon series, “Hammerman.”February 27, 1990 - SCOTUS Rules For Antipsychotics
In Washington v. Harper, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that an inmate in Washington state who sued the prison system for involuntary medication could be administered antipsychotic drugs against his will. The court determined that Harper posed a danger to himself or his fellow inmates, justifying the administration of the medicine.March
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- The Hunt For Red October
- Paramount Pictures
March 2, 1990 - The Hunt For Red October Released
The film adaptation of Tom Clancy's best-selling novel, The Hunt For Red October, premiered in theaters. Starring Sean Connery and Alec Baldwin, the movie went on to become a box office success and a classic Cold War-era spy thriller.- Photo:
April
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- Twin Peaks
- ABC
April 1, 1990 - Minimum Wage $3.80
After nine years of stagnation, the federal minimum wage was increased from $3.35 to $3.80 on April 1st, providing a much-needed boost for American workers.April 8, 1990 - Twin Peaks Debuts
David Lynch and Mark Frost's groundbreaking television series Twin Peaks premiered on April 8th. The surrealist murder mystery, set in a small Pacific Northwest town, quickly gained a cult following and left an indelible mark on television history.April 10, 1990 - No Dolphin Tuna Net Sold
Animal rights activists achieved a victory when they convinced canned tuna companies not to purchase fish from suppliers that used nets harmful to dolphins. The turning point came when Heinz, the world's largest tuna supplier at the time, stopped buying tuna caught using purse fishing net methods.April 15, 1990 - In Living Color Debuts
The sketch comedy television series In Living Color made its debut on April 15th. Created by Keenen Ivory Wayans, the show featured a diverse cast of comedians and launched the careers of several future stars, including Jim Carrey and Jamie Foxx.April 24, 1990 - Hubble Launches
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. Although initially plagued by technical issues, the Hubble has since revolutionized astronomy, providing in-depth views of distant stars, planets, galaxies, and enhancing our understanding of black holes.- Photo:
May
May 16, 1990 - Jim Henson Dies
Jim Henson, the visionary puppeteer and creator of The Muppets, passed away at the age of 53. Henson's innovative work brought characters like Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy to life, and he contributed to beloved films and shows such as The Dark Crystal, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Farscape, and Labyrinth.May 16, 1990 - Sammy Davis, Jr. Dies
Rat Pack member and legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. passed away on May 16th. The talented singer, actor, and comedian left behind a complicated legacy, including a surprising conversion from Judaism to Satanism later in life.May 19, 1990 - "Vogue" #1
Madonna's hit single "Vogue" reached #1 on the US Hot 100 on May 19th and remained there for three consecutive weeks. The stylish music video was directed by a young David Fincher, who would later become a renowned filmmaker.May 27, 1990 - Elections of Colombia Turn Deadly
Violent protests and riots marred the Colombian elections following the victory of Cesar Gaviria. Presidential candidate Luis Carlos Galan had been assassinated while campaigning, and his campaign manager, Gaviria, ran in his place. In response to Galan's murder, the Colombian government reinstated extraditions.June
June 1, 1990 - Total Recall Released
The futuristic action film Total Recall, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and directed by Paul Verhoeven, was released in theaters. The movie became a classic of the science fiction genre, showcasing groundbreaking special effects and thought-provoking themes.June 4, 1990 - Kevorkian's Machine First Used
Jack Kevorkian's controversial assisted suicide machine, the Thanatron, was used for the first time on June 4th. The machine provided aid in ending the lives of 130 individuals, sparking a contentious debate about the ethics of assisted suicide.June 10, 1990 - 2 Live Crew Arrested
Federal district judge Jose Gonzalez ruled that rap group 2 Live Crew's album "As Nasty As They Wanna Be" was obscene, making it illegal to perform in several Florida counties. The artists, known for their explicit lyrics and provocative content, were arrested during a performance at a strip club, but were later acquitted at trial.June 14, 1990 - DUI Checkpoints Upheld
The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the legality of police DUI checkpoints in a six-to-three vote on June 14th. Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist's decision dismissed claims that the checkpoints violated the Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure.June 21, 1990 - Earthquake Hits Iran
A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Iran on June 21st, resulting in the deaths of approximately 50,000 people and leaving over 400,000 homeless. The powerful quake was a tragic reminder of the immense destructive potential of natural disasters.
