1990

Namibia, Africa's last colony, gains independence
Gen. Manuel Noriega surrenders in Panama
Yugoslav Communists end 45-year monopoly of power

Introduction of the World Wide Web
Soviet Communists relinquish sole power
South Africa frees Nelson Mandela, imprisoned 27 years
Western Alliance ends Cold War and proposes joint action with Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
Iraqi troops invade Kuwait and seize petroleum reserves, setting off Persian Gulf War
East and West Germany reunited
Checkpoint Charlie, between East and West Berlin, dismantled
Leaders of 34 nations in Europe and North America proclaim a united Europe
Margaret Thatcher resigns as British Prime Minister succeeded by John Major
Boris Yeltsin elected President of USSR
Prince Akihito enthroned as Emperor of Japan
Lech Walesa wins Poland's runoff Presidential election
Lithuania gains independence from USSR
Haiti elects leftist priest as President in first democratic election
US-Soviet summit reaches accord on armaments
Presidents of Bolivia, Colombia, Peru and US agree to closer cooperation in war against drugs
Paul McCartney makes stage comeback after 13 years
World Wide Web
Hubble Space Telescope launched
Songs - "Time's Up", "Ambition", Nothing Compares 2 U"
Films - "Pretty Woman", "Home Alone", "Dances With Wolves", "Ghost", "Total Recall"
TV - "The Simpsons", "Seinfeld", "Law & Order", "Northern Exposure"
Ava Gardner, Del Shannon, Greta Garbo, Ralph Abernathy, Sammy Davis, Jr., Jim Henson, Ettore Maserati, Leonard Bernstein, Mary Martin, and Aaron Copeland die