Timeline
1985:
January 20: Ronald Reagan (77) starts his second term as the 40th president of
the United States of America
March 11: Mikhail Gorbachev becomes soviet leader after his predecessor
Chernenko dies
October 2: Rock Hudson (actor; Pillow Talk) age 59 dies of AIDS
1986:
January 28:Space shuttle challenger explodes after launch at Cape Canaveral (Florida), killing all seven astronauts
April 26:Nuclear accident at Soviet Union's Chernobyl power station
Oprah Winfray Show hits American television
1987:
May 17:Iraqi missile kills 37 solders in attack on US frigate Stark in Persian Gulf
May 18:Iraqi president Hussein apologizes for the occurrence
July 2-4:Richard Branson and Per Linstrand make the first hot-air balloon flight crossing the Atlantic Ocean
1988:
January 2:United States of America and Canada reach free trade agreement
August 28:Three jets of an air acrobatic team collide in midair during airshow on air force base Ramstein. More than 70 persons (spectators and pilots) die.
December 1:Benazir Bhutto chosen as the first Islamic woman to lead Pakistan
1989:
U.S. President Bush announces that he doesn't look like broccoli
Don't worry, be happy! Wins Grammy award
February 14:Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses are declared offensive by Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini and therefore, he is sentenced to death
November 9:Berlin Wall opens after 28 years
1990:
February 11:After 27.5 years, Nelson Mandela (South Africa) is free
April 25:Hubble Telescope launches into space
Germany wins Soccer World Cup Final against Argentina (1-0)
October 3: East- and West Germany celebrate reunion. This day becomes a national holiday
1991:
April 3:End of Persian Gulf War
June 5:South African Parliament repeals apathies laws
December 25:Soviet Union breaks up after president Gorbachev's resignation
1992:
February 1:President Bush (USA) and Boris Yelzin (Russia) proclaim a formal end to the Cold War
Oscar for best motion picture goes to Silent...