Editing 1991

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{{Events by month|1991}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
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| footer  = From left to right, top to bottom: 
*A destroyed Serbian T-55 tank during the [[Croatian War of Independence]], the beginning of the [[Yugoslav Wars]]; 
*the [[1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo|eruption of Mount Pinatubo]] in the [[Philippines]], the second-most powerful eruption of the 20th century; 
*[[Lauda Air Flight 004]] crashes, killing all 223 on board; 
*[[USAF]] aircraft fly over burned-out [[Kuwaiti oil fires|Kuwaiti oil fields]] towards the end of the [[Gulf War]];
*[[Boris Yeltsin]] waves the new [[Flag of Russia|Russian flag]] after the [[1991 Soviet coup d'etat attempt]]; 
*the MV ''Moby Prince'', which [[Moby Prince disaster|collides with an oil tanker]] in [[Italy]], causing a disastrous fire and 140 deaths; 
*a flooded village in [[Bangladesh]] after a [[1991 Bangladesh cyclone|cyclone killed 138,866 people]]; 
*the United States and soon-to-be [[dissolution of the Soviet Union|dissolved]] [[Soviet Union]] sign the [[START I]] treaty;
*[[Nigeria Airways Flight 2120]] crashes on-runway during an emergency landing, causing all 261 people on board to die. 
}}

{{About year|1991}}
{{Year nav|1991}}
{{C20 year in topic}}
{{Year article header|1991}}

It was the final year of the [[Cold War]], which had begun in [[1947]]. During the year, the [[Soviet Union]] [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapsed]], leaving [[Post-soviet states|fifteen sovereign republics]] and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States|CIS]] in its place. In July 1991, [[India]] abandoned its policies of [[dirigism]], [[license raj]] and [[autarky]] and began extensive [[Economic liberalisation in India|liberalisation]] to its economy. This increased [[Economy of India|GDP]] but also increased [[income inequality in India|income inequality]] over the next two decades.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 21, 2011 |title=India's economy: One more push |url=http://www.economist.com/node/18988536 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006111625/http://www.economist.com/node/18988536 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 4, 2014 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> A [[United Nations|UN]]-authorized [[coalition of the Gulf War|coalition force]] from 34 nations fought against [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]], which had [[Invasion of Kuwait|invaded]] and [[Kuwait Governorate|annexed]] [[Kuwait]] in the previous year, [[1990]]. The conflict would be called the [[Gulf War]] and would mark the beginning of a since-constant American military presence in the Middle East. The clash between [[Republic of Serbia (1990–2006)|Serbia]] and the other [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslav]] republics would lead into the beginning of the [[Yugoslav Wars]], which ran through the rest of the decade.

In the context of the [[apartheid]], the year after the liberation of political prisoner [[Nelson Mandela]], the Parliament of South Africa [[Population Registration Act Repeal Act, 1991|repeals the Population Registration Act, 1950]], overturning the racial classification of the population, a key component of apartheid.<ref name="latimes">{{cite news|first=Scott|last=Kraft|date=June 18, 1991|title=S. Africa Repeals Apartheid Basis|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-18-mn-929-story.html|access-date=August 2, 2020|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214112117/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-18-mn-929-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The year 1991 saw the rise of a ten-year-long [[1990s United States boom|boost of the US domestic economy]] with the [[Dow Jones Industrial Average]] remarkably closing in April at above 3,000 for the first time.<ref>{{cite news|first=Scot J.|last=Paltrow|date=April 18, 1991|title=Dow's Close Tops 3,000 Barrier for First Time : Stocks: The index had passed the mark on other days, but retreated before the end of tradings|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-18-mn-177-story.html|access-date=December 14, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214105833/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-18-mn-177-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> This situation would only be cut short by the [[Dot-com bubble]] of 2000–2002.

In August, the [[World Wide Web]], originally conceived during the previous year, was released outside [[CERN]] to other research institutions starting in January 1991 and publicly announced in August, also establishing the first website ever, "info.cern.ch". This step was a key factor that led to the mid-1990s public breakthrough of the internet, which would eventually accelerate the already ongoing [[globalization]] around the globe.

In terms of [[popular culture]], during this year [[alternative rock]] saw a new height of popularity when some of the earliest music exponents of the virtually unknown [[grunge]] sound were released, including the influential ''[[Nevermind]]'' album by Seattle-based band [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] in September 1991.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cameron|first=Keith|date=June 11, 2011|title=Nirvana kill hair metal|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/12/nirvana-kill-hair-metal|access-date=June 19, 2020|website=The Guardian|archive-date=June 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621153223/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/jun/12/nirvana-kill-hair-metal|url-status=live}}</ref> It was also in 1991 that [[hip-hop music]] reached an unprecedented mainstream level of success.<ref>{{cite news|last=Thompson|first=Derek|date=May 8, 2015|title=1991: The Most Important Year in Pop-Music History|work=The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2015/05/1991-the-most-important-year-in-music/392642|access-date=December 14, 2021|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214120206/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2015/05/1991-the-most-important-year-in-music/392642/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Electronic music|Electronic music derivative forms]] were also starting to gain momentum and would define, along with the previous scenes, the sound for most of the decade.  
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== Events ==
=== January ===
* [[January 1]] – [[Socialist Czechoslovakia|Czechoslovakia]] becomes the second [[Eastern Europe]]an country to abandon its [[command economy]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Greenhouse|first=Steven|date=January 1, 1991|title=Czechs Begin Shift to a Free Market|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/01/world/czechs-begin-shift-to-a-free-market.html|access-date=August 18, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105063345/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/01/world/czechs-begin-shift-to-a-free-market.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 5]] – [[Georgia (country)|Georgian]] troops attack [[Tskhinvali]], the capital of [[South Ossetia]], starting the [[1991–92 South Ossetia War]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caucasus.dk/chapter4.htm|title=The Georgian – South Ossetian Conflict|last=Cvetkovski|first=Nikola|publisher=Danish Association for Research on the Caucasus|access-date=April 11, 2021|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430213436/http://www.caucasus.dk/chapter4.htm|archive-date=April 30, 2009}}</ref>
* [[January 7]] – [[1991 Haitian coup d'état]]: An attempted coup by the [[Tonton Macoute]], a paramilitary force under former dictator [[Jean-Claude Duvalier]], is thwarted in Haiti.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Lantern 8 January 1991 – Ohio State University Newspaper Archives|url=https://osupublicationarchives.osu.edu/?a=d&d=LTN19910108-01.2.43&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------|access-date=2021-06-12|website=osupublicationarchives.osu.edu|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005155035/https://osupublicationarchives.osu.edu/?a=d&d=LTN19910108-01.2.43&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------|url-status=live}}</ref> On July 30, he is convicted by a jury of attempting to overthrow the country's first [[Government of Haiti|democratically elected government]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}
* [[January 9]]
**[[Gulf War]]: [[U.S. Secretary of State]] [[James Baker]] meets with [[Iraqi Foreign Minister]] [[Tariq Aziz]] but fails to produce a plan for the withdrawal of [[Invasion of Kuwait|Iraqi troops from Kuwait]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Friedman|first=Thomas L.|date=January 9, 1991|title=Confrontation in the Gulf; Iraqi, in Geneva, Says Pressure Won't Work|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/09/world/confrontation-in-the-gulf-iraqi-in-geneva-says-pressure-won-t-work.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002019/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/09/world/confrontation-in-the-gulf-iraqi-in-geneva-says-pressure-won-t-work.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last2=Drozdiak|first2=William|last1=Hoffman|first1=David|date=January 9, 1991|title=Baker and Aziz Arrive in Geneva|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/01/09/baker-and-aziz-arrive-in-geneva/585e554f-ffb9-4576-9bb7-86ec42640575/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=December 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229222527/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/01/09/baker-and-aziz-arrive-in-geneva/585e554f-ffb9-4576-9bb7-86ec42640575/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** In [[Sebokeng]], [[South Africa]], gunmen open fire on mourners attending the funeral of an [[African National Congress]] leader, killing 45 people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=South African major mass killings timeline 1900–2012 {{!}} South African History Online|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-major-mass-killings-timeline-1900-2012|access-date=2021-06-12|website=sahistory.org.za|archive-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508083518/https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/south-african-major-mass-killings-timeline-1900-2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 12]] – Gulf War: The [[102nd United States Congress|102nd]] [[U.S. Congress]] passes a [[Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 1991|resolution]] authorizing the use of [[Liberation of Kuwait campaign|military force]] to expel [[Iraqi forces]] from [[Kuwait]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Fritz|first1=Sarah|last2=Eaton|first2=William J.|date=January 13, 1991|title=Congress Authorizes Gulf War : Historic act: The vote in both houses, supporting Bush and freeing troops to attack Iraq, is decisive and bipartisan. It is the strongest move since Tonkin Gulf.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-13-mn-374-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210207050820/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-13-mn-374-story.html|archive-date=February 7, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref>
* [[January 13]] – [[Singing Revolution]]: [[Soviet]] forces storm [[Vilnius]] to stop [[Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania|Lithuanian independence]], [[January Events (Lithuania)|killing 14 civilians]] and injuring 702 more. In [[Latvia]], a [[The Barricades|series of confrontations]] between the [[Latvian government]] and the [[Soviet government]] take place in [[Riga]].<ref name="bbc-onthisday">{{cite news|title=On This Day 13 January, 1991: Bloodshed at Lithuanian TV station|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/13/newsid_4059000/4059959.stm|access-date=September 13, 2011|work=BBC News|date=January 13, 1991|archive-date=November 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109010731/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/13/newsid_4059000/4059959.stm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the Barricades (1990–1991) {{!}} Aizsardzības ministrija|url=http://www.mod.gov.lv/en/about-us/history/adoption-declaration-independence-barricades-1990-1991|access-date=2021-06-12|website=mod.gov.lv|archive-date=July 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210727192552/https://www.mod.gov.lv/en/about-us/history/adoption-declaration-independence-barricades-1990-1991|url-status=live}}</ref> Lithuania formally declares independence on February 16, and voters in [[1991 Estonian independence referendum|Estonia]] and [[1991 Latvian independence and democracy referendum|Latvia]] vote for independence on March 3.<ref>{{cite book|first=Anatol|last=Lieven|title=The Baltic Revolution: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Path to Independence|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iz3NACNOpCAC&pg=PA410|year=1994|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-06078-2|pages=410|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101429/https://books.google.com/books?id=iz3NACNOpCAC&pg=PA410#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Parks|first=Michael|date=March 4, 1991|title=Estonia, Latvia Vote Overwhelmingly for Independence : Baltics: Secession from the Soviet Union passes by wide margins in both republics. The next test is a countrywide referendum on Gorbachev's plan.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-04-mn-92-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=August 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804170803/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-04-mn-92-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Clines|first=Francis X.|date=March 4, 1991|title=Latvia and Estonia Vote for Sovereignty|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/04/world/latvia-and-estonia-vote-for-sovereignty.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303074429/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/04/world/latvia-and-estonia-vote-for-sovereignty.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 15]]
** Gulf War: The [[UN]] deadline for the withdrawal of [[Iraqi forces]] from [[Occupation of Kuwait|occupied Kuwait]] expires, preparing the way for the start of [[Operation Desert Storm]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Goldman|first1=John J.|last2=Kempster|first2=Norman|date=November 30, 1990|title=U.N. Gives Iraq Until Jan. 15 to Leave Kuwait or Face War : Gulf crisis: Historic measure passes 12 to 2, with China abstaining. It is only the second time the Security Council has voted to use military force.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-30-mn-5769-story.html|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=February 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201154339/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-30-mn-5769-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Prime Minister of Cape Verde]] [[Pedro Pires]] resigns following [[African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde|his party]]'s loss in the [[1991 Cape Verdean parliamentary election|Cape Verdean parliamentary election]]. Later on February 17, [[António Mascarenhas Monteiro]] wins the [[1991 Cape Verdean presidential election|country's first multiparty presidential election]] since 1975.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Baker|first=Bruce|date=December 2006|title=Cape Verde: The Most Democratic Nation in Africa?|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-modern-african-studies/article/div-classtitlecape-verde-the-most-democratic-nation-in-africadiv/0CB09558A9EAFBE92F718ADF6BE9D0C2|journal=The Journal of Modern African Studies|volume=44|issue=4|pages=495|doi=10.1017/S0022278X06002060|s2cid=144361839|access-date=April 2, 2019|archive-date=April 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402202637/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-modern-african-studies/article/div-classtitlecape-verde-the-most-democratic-nation-in-africadiv/0CB09558A9EAFBE92F718ADF6BE9D0C2|url-status=live|issn=0022-278X}}</ref>
* [[January 16]] – Gulf War: [[Operation Desert Storm]] begins with air strikes against [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Edwin E.|last=Moïse|title=Limited War : The Stereotypes|url=http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/FacultyPages/EdMoise/limit1.html|access-date=July 2, 2010|publisher=Clemson University|archive-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806173418/http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/FacultyPages/EdMoise/limit1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Valentine|first=Janet G.|title=American Military History: A Survey From Colonial Times to the Present|date=May 23, 2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-315-51100-9|page=358|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pQ03DAAAQBAJ|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005160246/https://books.google.com/books?id=pQ03DAAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 17]]
**Gulf War: Iraq fires eight [[Scud]] missiles into Israel. [[Iraq–Israel relations|Iraqi attacks]] continue with 15 people injured in [[Tel Aviv]] on January 19 and 96 people injured in [[Ramat Gan]] on January 22.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rostker|first=Bernard|year=2000|title=Information Paper: Iraq's Scud Ballistic Missiles|url=http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Pentagon/dodscud.htm|access-date=May 21, 2009|publisher=Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control from 2000 to 2006|archive-date=May 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514212635/http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Pentagon/dodscud.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated4">{{cite journal|last1=Fetter|first1=Steve|last2=Lewis|first2=George N.|last3=Gronlund|first3=Lisbeth|author3-link=Lisbeth Gronlund|date=January 28, 1993|title=Why were Casualties so low?|url=https://api.drum.lib.umd.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/4738f048-bb00-4f30-8097-2ff88be6a792/content|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817070947/https://api.drum.lib.umd.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/4738f048-bb00-4f30-8097-2ff88be6a792/content|archive-date=August 17, 2024|url-status=live|journal=[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]|location=London|volume=361|issue=6410|pages=293–296|doi=10.1038/361293a0|hdl=1903/4282|s2cid=4343235|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kifner|first=John|date=January 23, 1991|title=War in the Gulf: Tel Aviv; 3 Die, 96 are Hurt in Israeli Suburb|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/23/world/war-in-the-gulf-tel-aviv-3-die-96-are-hurt-in-israeli-suburb.html|access-date=August 18, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170630062830/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/23/world/war-in-the-gulf-tel-aviv-3-die-96-are-hurt-in-israeli-suburb.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Atkinson|first1=Rick|last2=Balz|first2=Dan|date=January 23, 1991|title=Scud Hits Tel Aviv, Leaving 3 Dead, 96 Hurt|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/fogofwar/archive/post012291.htm|access-date=June 2, 2013|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006145653/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/fogofwar/archive/post012291.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[Harald V of Norway]] becomes the [[king of Norway]] after the death of his father, [[Olav V]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Harald V {{!}} Biography & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harald-V|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=September 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910205016/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Harald-V|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 18]] – [[Eastern Air Lines]] shuts down after 62 years of operations, citing financial problems. Later on December 4, [[Pan American World Airways]] ceases its operations.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bearak|first=Barry|date=January 20, 1991|title=The Day After Eastern Folds: Many Passengers Are Left Up in the Air : Travel: Some connect with other carriers, several are left on standby status. The 62-year-old airline finally succumbed to a number of infirmities.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-20-mn-895-story.html|access-date=August 18, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830184945/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-20-mn-895-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Airways|date=December 4, 2016|title=December 4, 1991: The Last "Clipper" Flight|url=https://airwaysmag.com/airchive/the-last-clipper-flight/|access-date=August 18, 2020|website=Airways Magazine|archive-date=August 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200830192338/https://airwaysmag.com/airchive/the-last-clipper-flight/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[January 22]] – Gulf War: The [[British Army]] [[Special Air Service|SAS]] patrol, [[Bravo Two Zero]], is deployed in Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The SAS Operations {{!}} Gulf-war {{!}} Britain's Small Wars|url=https://britains-smallwars.com/campaigns/gulf-war/page.php?art_url=gulf-sas|access-date=November 20, 2024|website=britains-smallwars.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722141527/https://britains-smallwars.com/campaigns/gulf-war/page.php?art_url=gulf-sas|archive-date=July 22, 2024}}</ref>
* [[January 24]] – The [[government of Papua New Guinea]] signs a peace agreement with [[Bougainville Revolutionary Army|separatist leaders]] from [[Bougainville Island]], ending [[Bougainville Civil War|fighting]] that had gone on since [[1988]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Woodbury|first=Jo|title=The Bougainville Independence Referendum: Assessing the Risks and Challenges Before, During and After the Referendum|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/ADC/Publications/IndoPac/Woodbury%20paper%20(IPSD%20version).pdf|series=Indo-Pacific Strategy Papers|date=January 2015|publisher=Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS), Australian Defence College|location=Canberra|page=7|access-date=March 13, 2021|archive-date=October 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029183001/http://www.defence.gov.au/ADC/Publications/IndoPac/Woodbury%20paper%20%28IPSD%20version%29.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 26]] – [[President of Somalia|President]] [[Siad Barre]] is overthrown, and [[Somali Democratic Republic|Somalia]] enters a [[Somali civil war|civil war]]. Three days later, [[Ali Mahdi Muhammad]] is inaugurated as the next president.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mohamed Siad Barre {{!}} president of Somalia|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mohamed-Siad-Barre|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=December 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226092942/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mohamed-Siad-Barre|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 29, 1991|title=New President of Somalia Is Sworn In|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-29-mn-417-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002027/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-01-29-mn-417-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[January 29]]
** In [[South Africa]], [[Nelson Mandela]] of the [[African National Congress]] and [[Mangosuthu Buthelezi]] of the [[Inkatha Freedom Party]] agree to end violence between the two organizations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://omalley.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/cis/omalley/OMalleyWeb/03lv02039/04lv02040/05lv02042.htm|title=1991|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=omalley.nelsonmandela.org|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614095018/https://omalley.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/cis/omalley/OMalleyWeb/03lv02039/04lv02040/05lv02042.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Noble|first=Kenneth B.|date=September 15, 1991|title=Two Black Groups and Pretoria Sign Peace Agreement|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/15/world/two-black-groups-and-pretoria-sign-peace-agreement.html|access-date=February 2, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210206223956/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/15/world/two-black-groups-and-pretoria-sign-peace-agreement.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Gulf War: The first major ground engagement of the war, the [[Battle of Khafji]], begins. The battle lasts until February 1.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2014/February%202014/0214reversal.aspx|title=AirLand Reversal|last=Lambeth|first=Benjamin S.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219160549/http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2014/February%202014/0214reversal.aspx|archive-date=February 19, 2014|url-status=live|website=Airforcemag.com|date=February 1, 2014}}</ref>

=== February ===
* [[February 1]]
**[[USAir Flight 1493]] collides with a [[SkyWest Airlines]] [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner|Fairchild Metroliner]] at [[Los Angeles International Airport]], killing 34 people.<ref>{{cite book|author=United States. National Transportation Safety Board|title=Aircraft Accident Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YfY5AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA107|year=1995|publisher=U.S. Government|pages=107|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207103558/https://books.google.com/books?id=YfY5AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA107#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
** A 6.4 {{M|b|link=y}} [[1991 Hindu Kush earthquake|Hindu Kush earthquake]] causes severe damage in [[Wakhan Corridor|northeast Afghanistan]], leaving 848 dead and 200 injured.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Afghanistan/Pakistan Earthquake Feb 1991 UNDRO Situation Reports 1 – 6 – Afghanistan|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistanpakistan-earthquake-feb-1991-undro-situation-reports-1-6|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=ReliefWeb|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/afghanistanpakistan-earthquake-feb-1991-undro-situation-reports-1-6|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NGDC_EQ_list">{{cite web|title=66 Significant Earthquakes where Country = AFGHANISTAN|url=https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/event-data?country=AFGHANISTAN|last=National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): NCEI/WDS Global Significant Earthquake Database. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information|year=1972|publisher=NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information|doi=10.7289/V5TD9V7K}}</ref>
* [[February 6]] – A [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker|Boeing KC-135E Stratotanker]] was involved in [[1991 Gulf War Boeing KC-135 accident|an accident]] over Saudi Arabia when two engines on the left wing detached from the aircraft. The pilots managed to execute an emergency landing saving all four crew members onboard. The aircraft was later repaired and returned to service.
* [[February 7]]
**1991 Haitian coup d'état: [[Haiti]]'s first democratically elected president, [[Jean-Bertrand Aristide]], is sworn in.<ref>{{cite book|first=Joseph|last=Whitaker|title=An Almanack for the Year of Our Lord ...|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ8wAAAAMAAJ|year=1994|publisher=J. Whitaker|page=900|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207103715/https://books.google.com/books?id=jQ8wAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> He is [[1991 Haitian coup d'état|ousted on September 30]] and later [[Operation Uphold Democracy|reinstated in 1994]]. In response to the coup and in an effort to encourage the coup leaders to [[Politics of Haiti|restore democracy]], the [[U.S.]] expands [[Haiti–United States relations|trade sanctions on Haiti]] to include all goods except food and medicine on October 29.
** The [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] launches a [[Downing Street mortar attack|mortar attack on 10 Downing Street]] during a [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet meeting]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Whitney|first1=Craig R.|date=February 8, 1991|title=I.R.A. Attacks 10 Downing Street With Mortar Fire as Cabinet Meets|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/08/world/ira-attacks-10-downing-street-with-mortar-fire-as-cabinet-meets.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511123919/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/08/world/ira-attacks-10-downing-street-with-mortar-fire-as-cabinet-meets.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=February 7, 1991|title=Terror at 10 Downing St. : Prime Minister, War Cabinet Unhurt in IRA Mortar Attack|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-07-mn-1272-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015202231/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-07-mn-1272-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Gulf War: Ground troops cross the [[Saudi–Kuwaiti neutral zone|Saudi Arabian border]] and enter Kuwait, thus starting the ground phase of the war.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Alan|title=Operation Desert Storm: 25 Years Since the First Gulf War – The Atlantic|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/operation-desert-storm-25-years-since-the-first-gulf-war/424191/|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=The Atlantic|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606114115/https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2016/01/operation-desert-storm-25-years-since-the-first-gulf-war/424191/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 11]] – The [[Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization]] (UNPO) is formed in [[The Hague]], Netherlands.<ref>{{cite book|author=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization|title=Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization: yearbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7GhbDxIUkIIC&pg=PA4|year=1997|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=90-411-0439-9|pages=4|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101359/https://books.google.com/books?id=7GhbDxIUkIIC&pg=PA4#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 13]] – Gulf War: Two laser-guided "smart bombs" [[Amiriyah shelter bombing|destroy an underground bunker in Baghdad]], killing hundreds of Iraqis. [[US military intelligence]] claims it was a military facility while Iraqi officials identify it as a [[blast shelter|bomb shelter]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stanley|first=Alessandra|date=February 14, 1991|title=War in the Gulf: The Overview; Iraq says U.S. killed hundreds of civilians at shelter, but alies call it military post|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/14/world/war-gulf-overview-iraq-says-us-killed-hundreds-civilians-shelter-but-allies-call.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803160347/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/14/world/war-gulf-overview-iraq-says-us-killed-hundreds-civilians-shelter-but-allies-call.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 15]] – The [[Visegrád Group]], establishing cooperation to move toward [[free market economy|free-market systems]], is established by the leaders of [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Hungary]], and [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite book|title=RFE/RL Research Report|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a35pAAAAMAAJ|year=1993|publisher=RFE/RL, Incorporated|page=19|access-date=October 8, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101319/https://books.google.com/books?id=a35pAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 18]] – The [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]] explodes [[Bombings of Paddington and Victoria stations|bombs in the early morning]], at both [[London Paddington station|Paddington station]] and [[London Victoria station|Victoria station]], in London.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Schmidt|first1=William E.|date=February 19, 1991|title=2 Rail Terminals In Central London Hit By I.R.A. Bombs|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/19/world/2-rail-terminals-in-central-london-hit-by-ira-bombs.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/19/world/2-rail-terminals-in-central-london-hit-by-ira-bombs.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 20]] – [[President of Albania]] [[Ramiz Alia]] dismisses the government of [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]] [[Adil Çarçani]] and appoints [[Fatos Nano]] as the next prime minister in an effort to stem [[Fall of communism in Albania|pro-democracy protests]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=13. Albania (1913–present)|url=https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/europerussiacentral-asia-region/albania-1913-present/|access-date=2021-06-12|website=uca.edu|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203005307/https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/europerussiacentral-asia-region/albania-1913-present/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Adil Carcani, prime minister of Albania'|url=https://apnews.com/article/0527b66ce4005c2d7cafcb2dc11203e6|date=October 15, 1997|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Associated Press News|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://apnews.com/article/0527b66ce4005c2d7cafcb2dc11203e6|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Binder|first1=David|date=February 23, 1991|title=Albanian Names Cabinet Amid Unrest|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/23/world/albanian-names-cabinet-amid-unrest.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/02/23/world/albanian-names-cabinet-amid-unrest.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 22]] – Gulf War: [[Iraq–Russia relations|Iraq accepts a Soviet-proposed]] cease fire agreement. The U.S. rejects the agreement, instead saying that retreating Iraqi forces will not be attacked if they leave Kuwait within 24 hours.
* [[February 23]] – In [[Thailand]], General [[Sunthorn Kongsompong]] deposes Prime Minister [[Chatichai Choonhavan]] in a [[National Peace Keeping Council|bloodless coup d'état]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wallace|first=Charles P.|date=February 25, 1991|title=Thai Coup Leaders Plan Elections in Six Months : Takeover: The military junta also says it wants to amend the constitution. The whereabouts of the deposed prime minister are unknown.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-25-mn-1472-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723144402/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-02-25-mn-1472-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pace|first=Eric|date=August 7, 1999|title=Sunthorn Kongsompong, 68; Thai General Led 1991 Coup|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/07/world/sunthorn-kongsompong-68-thai-general-led-1991-coup.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029192801/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/08/07/world/sunthorn-kongsompong-68-thai-general-led-1991-coup.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 25]] – Gulf War: Part of an Iraqi [[Scud missile]] hits an American military barracks in [[Dhahran]], Saudi Arabia, killing 29 U.S. soldiers and injuring 99 more. It is the single-most devastating attack on U.S. forces during the war.<ref name="iraqwatch.org">{{cite web|title=DOD: Information Paper- Iraq's Scud Ballistic Missiles|url=http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Pentagon/dodscud.htm|access-date=March 18, 2010|publisher=Iraqwatch.org|archive-date=May 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514212635/http://www.iraqwatch.org/government/US/Pentagon/dodscud.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Timeline of the Persian Gulf War|url=https://www.britannica.com/list/persian-gulf-war-timeline|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=May 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527140803/https://www.britannica.com/list/persian-gulf-war-timeline|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 26]] – Gulf War: On [[Telecommunications in Iraq|Baghdad radio]], Iraqi leader [[Saddam Hussein]] announces the withdrawal of Iraqi troops from Kuwait. Iraqi soldiers set [[Kuwaiti oil fires|fire to Kuwaiti oil fields]] as they retreat; the fire lasts until November 7.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Boustany|first=Nora|date=February 27, 1991|title=Saddam Tells Iraqis of Pullout But Claims "Dignified" Victory|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/02/27/saddam-tells-iraqis-of-pullout-but-claims-dignified-victory/76eedd4f-50a2-48f7-860a-43388a08e5d3/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307013405/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/02/27/saddam-tells-iraqis-of-pullout-but-claims-dignified-victory/76eedd4f-50a2-48f7-860a-43388a08e5d3/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Persian Gulf War {{!}} Definition, Summary, History, Dates, Combatants, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Persian-Gulf-War|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=June 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602182044/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/452778/Persian-Gulf-War|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[February 27]]
** Gulf War: [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[George H. W. Bush|Bush]] declares victory over Iraq and orders a cease-fire. U.S. troops [[Operation Phase Echo|begin to leave]] the [[Persian Gulf]] on March 10.<ref name=":0" />
** In the [[1991 Bangladeshi general election|Bangladeshi general election]], the [[Bangladesh Nationalist Party]] wins 139 of 300 seats in the [[Jatiyo Sangshad]], leading BNP leader [[Khaleda Zia]] to become the [[President of Bangladesh|president]] on March 19.<ref>{{Cite web|title=BANGLADESH: parliamentary elections Jatiya Sangsad, 1991|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2023_91.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=archive.ipu.org|archive-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806213441/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2023_91.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Crossette|first1=Barbara|date=March 1, 1991|title=General's Widow Wins Bangladesh Vote|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/01/world/general-s-widow-wins-bangladesh-vote.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029101013/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/01/world/general-s-widow-wins-bangladesh-vote.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== March ===
*[[March 3]]
** The [[1991 São Toméan presidential election|first presidential election]] in the [[history of São Tomé and Príncipe]] is won by [[Miguel Trovoada]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sao Tome and Principe (10/24/11)|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/saotomeandprincipe/182234.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=U.S. Department of State|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801133600/https://2009-2017.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/saotomeandprincipe/182234.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=São Tomé and Príncipe: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report|url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/sao-tome-and-principe/freedom-world/2020|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Freedom House|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606122031/https://freedomhouse.org/country/sao-tome-and-principe/freedom-world/2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
**A video captures the beating of motorist [[Rodney King]] by [[Los Angeles]] police officers. Four [[Los Angeles police]] officers are indicted on March 15 for the beating.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Holliday Videotape, George Holliday Video of King Beating|url=http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lapd/kingvideo.html|publisher=University of Missouri Kansas City Law School|access-date=2021-06-12|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224184149/http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lapd/kingvideo.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="NYT_19920306">{{cite news|last=Mydans|first=Seth|date=March 6, 1992|title=Police Beating Trial Opens With Replay of Videotape|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/06/us/police-beating-trial-opens-with-replay-of-videotape.html|access-date=April 20, 2010|archive-date=July 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090717123022/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/06/us/police-beating-trial-opens-with-replay-of-videotape.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 6]] – [[Prime Minister of India]] [[Chandra Shekhar]] resigns following a dispute with former Prime Minister [[Rajiv Gandhi]], whose support had kept him in power.<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 7, 1991|title=India's Prime Minister Resigns|work=The Christian Science Monitor|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/1991/0307/ofill07.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0882-7729|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://www.csmonitor.com/1991/0307/ofill07.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Joshi|first=Vijay|title=India's Prime Minister Resigns|url=https://apnews.com/article/7466ecc67afb7635076ea9723ffb999f|date=March 6, 1991|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043154/https://apnews.com/article/7466ecc67afb7635076ea9723ffb999f|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chandra Shekhar {{!}} prime minister of India|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chandra-Shekhar|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713012656/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Chandra-Shekhar|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 9]] – [[1991 protests in Belgrade|Massive demonstrations]] are held against [[Slobodan Milošević]] in [[Belgrade]]; two people are killed, and [[tank]]s are deployed in the streets.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7SczBzxA6-IC&pg=PR26|title=The "Yugoslav" Crisis in International Law: General Issues|volume=1|first1=D. Daniel L.|last1=Bethlehem|first2=Marc|last2=Weller|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1997|isbn=9780521463041|page=XXVI|access-date=March 9, 2013|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101319/https://books.google.com/books?id=7SczBzxA6-IC&pg=PR26#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 10]] – Salvadoran Civil War: In the [[1991 Salvadoran legislative election|Salvadoran legislative election]], the [[Nationalist Republican Alliance]] wins 39 of the 48 seats in the [[Legislative Assembly of El Salvador|legislative assembly]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=March 24, 1991|title=Governing Salvadoran Party Wins Legislative Vote|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/24/world/governing-salvadoran-party-wins-legislative-vote.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029101157/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/24/world/governing-salvadoran-party-wins-legislative-vote.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Nohlen|editor-first=Dieter|editor-link=Dieter Nohlen|title=Elections in the Americas: A data handbook, Volume I|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-19-928357-6|page=284}}</ref>
* [[March 13]] 
** The [[U.S. Department of Justice]] announces that [[Exxon]] has agreed to pay $1&nbsp;billion for the clean-up of the [[Exxon Valdez oil spill]] in [[Alaska]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rowley|first=James|title=Exxon Agrees to $1 Billion Settlement of Oil Spill|url=https://apnews.com/article/e2ceb29859cbab2950defd40bdc0e772|date=March 14, 1991|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002019/https://apnews.com/article/e2ceb29859cbab2950defd40bdc0e772|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** The [[Air Quality Agreement|Acid Rain Treaty of 1991]] is signed between the [[Federal government of the United States|American]] and [[Canadian government]]s.<ref>{{cite book|author=Canada|title=Transboundary Air Pollution: Agreement Between the United States of America and Canada, Signed at Ottawa March 13, 1991 with Annexes|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=om1RhTvdrVUC&pg=PA18|year=1993|publisher=Department of State|pages=18|access-date=January 16, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101344/https://books.google.com/books?id=om1RhTvdrVUC&pg=PA18#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 14]]
**Gulf War: [[Emir of Kuwait]] [[Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah]] returns to [[Kuwait]] after seven months of exile in [[Saudi Arabia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheikh Jābir al-Aḥmad al-Jābir al-Ṣabāḥ {{!}} emir of Kuwait|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sheikh-Jabir-al-Ahmad-al-Jabir-al-Sabah|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=May 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160523120102/http://www.britannica.com/biography/Sheikh-Jabir-al-Ahmad-al-Jabir-al-Sabah|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[The Troubles]]: After 16 years in prison for allegedly bombing a [[public house]] in a [[Provisional IRA]] attack, the "[[Birmingham Six]]" are freed when a court determines that the police fabricated evidence.<ref>{{cite news|last=Peirce|first=Gareth|date=March 12, 2011|title=The Birmingham Six: Have we learned from our disgraceful past?|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/mar/12/gareth-peirce-birmingham-six|access-date=November 15, 2018|archive-date=November 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124141842/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2011/mar/12/gareth-peirce-birmingham-six|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>R v McIlkenney (1991) 93 Cr.App.R. 287–318.</ref>
* [[March 15]]
**[[Germany]] formally regains complete independence after the four [[post-World War II]] [[Occupation of Germany|occupying powers]] ([[France]], the [[U.K.]], the [[U.S.]] and the [[U.S.S.R.]]) relinquish all remaining rights to the country.
** The [[Albania–United States relations|U.S. and Albania]] resume diplomatic relations for the first time [[Italian invasion of Albania|since 1939]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of the U.S. and Albania|url=https://al.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/io/|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=U.S. Embassy in Albania|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319022854/https://al.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/io/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[March 17]]
** Dissolution of the Soviet Union: In [[1991 Soviet Union referendum|a national referendum]], 77% of voters in the [[Soviet Union]] vote in favor of keeping the 15 [[Soviet republics]] together; six Union Republics effectively boycott the referendum.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Confused Soviet Referendum|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-03-15-1991074066-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=The Baltimore Sun|date=March 15, 1991|archive-date=July 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210713020501/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-03-15-1991074066-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=June 29, 2015|title=March Referendum|url=http://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/march-referendum/|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Seventeen Moments in Soviet History|archive-date=May 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517052306/http://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/march-referendum/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** In the [[1991 Finnish parliamentary election|Finnish parliamentary election]], the [[Centre Party (Finland)|Centre Party]] wins 55 of 200 seats in the [[Parliament of Finland|parliament]], ending 25 years of dominance by the [[Social Democratic Party of Finland]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=March 20, 1991|title=Finnish Parliament: Average Age Under 40|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/20/world/finnish-parliament-average-age-under-40.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029101127/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/20/world/finnish-parliament-average-age-under-40.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 23]] – The [[Sierra Leone Civil War]] begins when the [[Revolutionary United Front]] attempts a coup against the [[Politics of Sierra Leone|Sierra Leone government]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Varisco|first=Andrea Edoardo|title=Research in Security Sector Reform Policy: The Case of Sierra Leone|date=July 19, 2017|publisher=Springer|isbn=978-1-137-58675-9|page=11|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h4otDwAAQBAJ|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005160247/https://books.google.com/books?id=h4otDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sierra Leone War begins|url=https://aaregistry.org/story/the-sierra-leone-war-begins/|access-date=February 2, 2021|website=African American Registry|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411002152/https://aaregistry.org/story/the-sierra-leone-war-begins/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 24]] – The [[1991 Beninese presidential election|Beninese presidential election]], Benin's first presidential election [[1970 Dahomeyan presidential election|since 1970]], is won by [[Nicéphore Soglo]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=March 26, 1991|title=Official Result in Benin Vote Shows Big Loss for Kerekou (Published 1991)|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/26/world/official-result-in-benin-vote-shows-big-loss-for-kerekou.html|access-date=February 2, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601223719/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/03/26/world/official-result-in-benin-vote-shows-big-loss-for-kerekou.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 26]]
** In [[Mali]], military officers led by [[Amadou Toumani Touré]] arrest [[President of Mali|President]] [[Moussa Traoré]] and suspend the [[Constitution of Mali|constitution]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=March 26, 1991|title=Military Leader of Mali Overthrown, Arrested|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/03/27/military-leader-of-mali-overthrown-arrested/4e046a11-622d-4149-8c81-3314a67d32e2/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125092455/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/03/27/military-leader-of-mali-overthrown-arrested/4e046a11-622d-4149-8c81-3314a67d32e2/|archive-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref>
** [[Argentina]], [[Brazil]], [[Uruguay]] and [[Paraguay]] sign the [[Treaty of Asunción]], establishing [[Mercosur]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Treaty of Asunción {{!}} South America [1991]|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Treaty-of-Asuncion|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801174555/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Treaty-of-Asuncion|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=SICE: Trade Agreements: Treaty of Asuncion|url=http://www.sice.oas.org/trade/mrcsr/mrcsrtoc.asp|access-date=2021-06-12|website=sice.oas.org|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425145807/http://www.sice.oas.org/Trade/MRCSR/MRCSRTOC.ASP|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[March 31]]
**[[Albania]] holds its [[1991 Albanian Constitutional Assembly election|first multi-party elections]] since [[1923 Albanian parliamentary election|1923]]. The socialist ruling [[Party of Labour of Albania]] won a landslide victory with 169 of the 250 seats in the [[Parliament of Albania|parliament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2001_91.htm|title=Albania: Elections held in 1991|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612120711/http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2001_91.htm|archive-date=2011-06-12|url-status=live|work=Inter-Parliamentary Union|year=1991}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Nohlen|editor1-first=Dieter|editor2-last=Stöver|editor2-first=Philip|editor1-link=Dieter Nohlen|title=Elections in Europe: A Data Handbook|publisher=Nomos Publishers|year=2010|isbn=978-3-8329-5609-7|page=137}}</ref>
**Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[1991 Georgian independence referendum|Georgia votes for independence]] from the [[Soviet Union]] while on April 9, the [[Supreme Council of Georgia|Supreme Council]] declares the independent [[Republic of Georgia]].

=== April ===
* [[April 2]] – [[Economy of the Soviet Union|Government-imposed prices]] increase double or triple the cost of [[consumer goods in the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Filatochev|first1=Igor|last2=Bradshaw|first2=Roy|year=1992|title=The Soviet Hyperinflation: Its Origins and Impact throughout the Former Republics|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/152269|journal=Soviet Studies|volume=44|issue=5|pages=739–759|doi=10.1080/09668139208412045|jstor=152269|issn=0038-5859|access-date=June 13, 2021|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002019/https://www.jstor.org/stable/152269|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Economic Collapse of the Soviet Union|url=https://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/sovietcollapse.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=sjsu.edu|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724100857/https://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/watkins/sovietcollapse.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[April 3]] – [[Iraq disarmament crisis]]: The [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] passes [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 687|Resolution 687]], which calls for the destruction or removal of all of [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|Iraq's chemical and biological weapons]] and a complete ban of [[ballistic missile]]s with a range greater than 150&nbsp;km. It also calls for an end to Iraq's [[State Sponsors of Terrorism (U.S. list)|support for international terrorism]]; it is accepted by Iraq three days later.<ref>{{Cite web|title=United Nations Security Council {{!}} Treaties & Regimes {{!}} NTI|url=https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/un-security-council/|access-date=2021-06-12|website=nti.org|archive-date=May 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513122735/https://www.nti.org/learn/treaties-and-regimes/un-security-council/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Security Council Resolution 687|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/unscom/Chronology/resolution687.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=United Nations|archive-date=June 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610103845/http://www.un.org/Depts/unscom/Chronology/resolution687.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 4]]
** [[U.S. senator|U.S. Senator]] [[John Heinz]] and six other people are killed when a [[Merion air disaster|helicopter collides with their plane]] over [[Merion Station, Pennsylvania|Merion]], [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Cushman|first1=John H. Jr.|date=April 5, 1991|title=Senator Heinz and 6 Others Killed in Midair Crash Near Philadelphia|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/05/us/senator-heinz-and-6-others-killed-in-midair-crash-near-philadelphia.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=May 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507171620/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/05/us/senator-heinz-and-6-others-killed-in-midair-crash-near-philadelphia.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=King|first=Larry|date=April 5, 1991|title=Sen. Heinz, 6 others die in Pa. plane-copter collision Two children killed as debris hits school|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-04-05-1991095117-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625062310/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-04-05-1991095117-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Forty people [[1991 Sacramento hostage crisis|are taken hostage]] in [[Sacramento, California|Sacramento]], California; six gunmen and hostages are killed.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gross|first1=Jane|date=April 6, 1991|title=6 Are Killed as 8-Hour Siege By Gang Ends in California|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/06/us/6-are-killed-as-8-hour-siege-by-gang-ends-in-california.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705190520/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/06/us/6-are-killed-as-8-hour-siege-by-gang-ends-in-california.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Paddock|first1=Richard C.|last2=Dizon|first2=Lily|date=April 15, 1991|title=3 Vietnamese Brothers in Shoot-Out Led Troubled Lives : Crime: They had problems in school and apparently felt like failures. Some teachers express surprise at violence of siege at Sacramento store.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-15-mn-108-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510054339/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-15-mn-108-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 5]]
** Former [[U.S. senator|U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] and 22 others are killed in [[Atlantic Southeast Airlines Flight 2311|an airplane crash]] in [[Brunswick, Georgia|Brunswick]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knutson|first=Lawrence L.|title=Crash That Killed 23 Laid to Faulty Propellor Controls|url=https://apnews.com/article/70a5d06c92324ad02162adc3a5f4b214|date=April 28, 1992|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=March 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305015608/https://apnews.com/article/70a5d06c92324ad02162adc3a5f4b214|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**[[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'']] leaves an observatory in Earth's orbit to study [[gamma ray]]s before returning [[STS-37|on April 11]]. It is followed by [[Space Shuttle Discovery|Space Shuttle ''Discovery'']], which studies instruments related to the [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] from [[STS-39|April 29 to May 6]]. [[Space Shuttle Columbia|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'']] carries the [[Spacelab]] into orbit [[STS-400|on June 5]].
* [[April 9]] – The first [[Red Army|Soviet troops]] leave [[Poland]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1991/04/10/1st-soviet-troops-leave-poland/|work=Chicago Tribune|title=1st Soviet Troops Leave Poland|date=April 10, 1991|access-date=October 6, 2013|archive-date=December 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228202950/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1991-04-10/news/9102010956_1_presence-of-soviet-troops-soviet-soldiers-soviet-plans|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 10]]
** A [[South Atlantic tropical cyclone]] develops in the [[Southern Hemisphere]] off the coast of [[Angola]], the first of its kind to be documented by [[weather satellite]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 1991 "Angola Cyclone" – STORM2K|url=http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=116885|access-date=2021-06-12|website=storm2k.org|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015230028/http://www.storm2k.org/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=116885|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The Italian ferry ''[[Moby Prince disaster|Moby Prince]]'' collides with an oil tanker in dense fog off [[Livorno]], [[Italy]], resulting in 140 deaths with one survivor.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/04/12/may-day-may-day.html|title=May – Day, May – Day Ci ha speronato una bettolina|newspaper=[[la Repubblica]]|date=April 12, 1991|page=5|access-date=September 25, 2011|first=Claudia|last=Fusani|language=it|archive-date=September 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925200450/https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1991/04/12/may-day-may-day.html|url-status=live}}</ref> 
* [[April 12]] – The [[Warsaw Stock Exchange]] opens in [[Economy of Poland|Poland]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=January 1, 2004|title=Trading on the Warsaw stock exchange—from reopening in 1991–2000|url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1061951804000175|journal=Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation|volume=13|issue=2|pages=121–134|doi=10.1016/j.intaccaudtax.2004.09.003|issn=1061-9518|last1=de la Rosa|first1=Denise|last2=Crawford|first2=Dean|last3=Franz|first3=Diana R.|access-date=2021-06-12|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015230026/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1061951804000175|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[April 14]] – In the [[Netherlands]], thieves steal 20 paintings worth $500 million from the [[Van Gogh Museum]] in [[Amsterdam]]; they are found in an abandoned car near the museum less than an hour later.<ref>{{Cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=August 27, 2020|title=Factbox: High profile art thefts|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-art-frans-hals-theft-fact-idUSKBN25N2KU|access-date=2021-06-12|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015202553/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-netherlands-art-frans-hals-theft-fact-idUSKBN25N2KU|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Montgomery|first=Paul L.|date=April 15, 1991|title=Lost and Found: Huge van Gogh Theft Fails|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/15/arts/lost-and-found-huge-van-gogh-theft-fails.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=February 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064051/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/15/arts/lost-and-found-huge-van-gogh-theft-fails.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 15]]
** The [[European Bank for Reconstruction and Development]] (EBRD) is inaugurated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The history of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)|url=https://www.ebrd.com/who-we-are/history-of-the-ebrd.html#:~:text=The%20year%20was%201991,%20the,business%20for%20the%20first%20time.|access-date=2021-06-12|website=ebrd.com|archive-date=August 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830103554/https://www.ebrd.com/who-we-are/history-of-the-ebrd.html#:~:text=The%20year%20was%201991,%20the,business%20for%20the%20first%20time.|url-status=live}}</ref>
** End of Apartheid: The [[European Economic Community]] lifts [[Disinvestment from South Africa|economic sanctions]] on [[South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Riding|first=Alan|date=April 16, 1991|title=European nations to lift sanctions on South Africa|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/16/world/european-nations-to-lift-sanctions-on-south-africa.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029101424/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/16/world/european-nations-to-lift-sanctions-on-south-africa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 16]] – [[April 18|18]] – [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] begins the first ever visit of a [[Japan–Soviet Union relations|Soviet leader to Japan]], but fails to resolve the [[Kuril Islands dispute|two countries' dispute]] over ownership of the [[Kuril Islands]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Weisman|first=Steven R.|date=April 16, 1991|title=Gorbachev on Peace Mission to Japan|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/16/world/gorbachev-on-peace-mission-to-japan.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029103029/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/16/world/gorbachev-on-peace-mission-to-japan.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 17]] – The [[Dow Jones Industrial Average]] closes above 3,000 for the first time in history, at 3,004.46.<ref>{{Cite web|title=A History of The Dow Jones Industrial Average|url=https://apnews.com/article/50399f1ad8429b5259a2890d963a25fb|access-date=2021-06-12|work=Associated Press News}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Norris|first=Floyd|date=April 18, 1991|title=Market Place; At Last, Dow Closes Above 3,000|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/18/business/market-place-at-last-dow-closes-above-3000.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029103054/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/18/business/market-place-at-last-dow-closes-above-3000.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 18]] – Iraq disarmament crisis: Iraq declares some of its [[chemical weapon]]s and materials to the UN, as required by [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 687|Resolution 687]], and claims that it does not have a [[biological weapons]] program.
* [[April 19]] – [[George Carey]] is enthroned as [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], the spiritual leader of the worldwide [[Anglican Communion]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Edward|last=Carpenter|title=Cantuar: The Archbishops in Their Office|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ee0-EsYR9aEC&pg=PA2|date=January 1, 1997|publisher=A&C Black|isbn=978-0-264-67449-0|pages=2|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101433/https://books.google.com/books?id=ee0-EsYR9aEC&pg=PA2#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 22]]
**A 7.7 {{M|w|link=y}} [[1991 Limon earthquake|Limon earthquake]] strikes [[Costa Rica]] and [[Panama]] with a maximum Mercalli intensity, causing between 47 and 87 deaths and up to 759 injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Today in Earthquake History|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/today/index.php?month=4&day=22|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=United States Geological Survey|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723195400/https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/today/index.php?month=4&day=22|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 23, 1991|title=Quake Hits Costa Rica and Panama : Disaster: The 7.4 temblor kills at least 19. Damage is heavy in Caribbean coastal area.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-23-mn-689-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724185104/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-23-mn-689-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
**In [[Taiwan]], the [[Temporary Provisions against the Communist Rebellion]] are abolished, having been in effect for 43 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Constitutional Revisions in the Republic of China|url=http://www.taiwandocuments.org/constitution07.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=taiwandocuments.org|archive-date=February 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211011151/http://www.taiwandocuments.org/constitution07.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Feldman">{{cite book|title=Constitutional Reform and the Future of the Republic of China|publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=1991|isbn=9780873328807|editor1-last=Feldman|editor1-first=Harvey|series=Taiwan in the Modern World|pages=1, 3–7, 39}}</ref>
*[[April 23]] – [[Prime Minister of Iceland]] [[Steingrímur Hermannsson]] resigns following [[1991 Icelandic parliamentary election|an inconclusive parliamentary election]]; he is succeeded by [[Davíð Oddsson]] on April 30.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prime Minister Ousted; Feminists Win Big in Election|url=https://apnews.com/article/91a35dba150251f6d9ccd697738fc695|access-date=2021-06-12|work=Associated Press News}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NATO Who's who?: PM Iceland|url=https://www.nato.int/cv/hsg/ic/oddsson.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=nato.int|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509235152/https://www.nato.int/cv/hsg/ic/oddsson.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[April 26]]
** A series of [[Tornado outbreak of April 26, 1991|55 tornadoes]] break out in the [[Midwestern United States|central U.S.]], killing 21. The most notable tornado strikes [[Andover, Kansas|Andover]], [[Kansas]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=Timeline for supercell that produced the Wichita/Andover Tornado|url=https://www.weather.gov/ict/AndoverTimeline|access-date=2021-06-12|website=weather.gov|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613003530/https://www.weather.gov/ict/AndoverTimeline|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=The April 26, 1991 Great Plains Tornado Outbreak|url=https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19910426|access-date=2021-06-12|website=weather.gov|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613003524/https://www.weather.gov/oun/events-19910426|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Esko Aho]] at the age of 36 becomes the youngest-ever [[Prime Minister of Finland]].<ref>{{cite book|author=United States. Central Intelligence Agency|title=The World Factbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kVaOgbFeuXwC&pg=PA134|year=1989|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|pages=134|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101350/https://books.google.com/books?id=kVaOgbFeuXwC&pg=PA134#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:1991 Bangladesh Cyclone 29 apr 1991 0019Z.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|[[1991 Bangladesh Cyclone]]]]
* [[April 29]]
** A [[1991 Bangladesh cyclone|tropical cyclone]] hits [[Bangladesh]], killing an estimated 138,000 people.<ref>{{cite book|author=United Nations. Dept. of Public Information|title=Yearbook of the United Nations. 45.1991(1992)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BTdmYFgvyi0C&pg=PA416|date=December 24, 1992|publisher=Martinus Nijhoff Publishers|isbn=0-7923-1970-2|pages=416|access-date=September 30, 2020|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102643/https://books.google.com/books?id=BTdmYFgvyi0C&pg=PA416#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
** A 7.0 {{M|w|link=y}} [[1991 Racha earthquake|earthquake]] in [[Racha]], [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]], kills 270 people and leaves 100,000 others homeless.<ref name="Nikoleishvili">{{cite web|last=Nikoleishvili|first=I.|title=Earthquake in Racha and Middle Age Monuments|url=http://www.opentext.ge/art/archit/medieval/racha.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721025942/http://www.opentext.ge/art/archit/medieval/racha.htm|archive-date=July 21, 2011|access-date=August 10, 2010}}</ref><ref name="Arafiev">{{cite journal|last=Arafiev|first=S.S.|author2=Rogozhin E.A.|author3=Bykova V.V.|author4=Dorbath C.|year=2006|title=Deep Structure of the Racha Earthquake Source Zone from Seismic Tomography Data|url=http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/AInv/2006_PSE_Racha.pdf|url-status=dead|journal=Izvestiya, Physics of the Solid Earth|volume=42|issue=1|pages=27–40|bibcode=2006IzPSE..42...27A|doi=10.1134/s1069351306010034|s2cid=128784815|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807114528/http://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/AInv/2006_PSE_Racha.pdf|archive-date=August 7, 2011|name-list-style=amp}}</ref>
* [[April 29]] – [[April 30|30]] – In [[Lesotho]], a bloodless coup ousts military ruler [[Justin Lekhanya]], with Chairman of the Military Council [[Elias Phisoana Ramaema]] replacing him two days later.<ref>{{cite book|author=((32nd 1991))|title=The Europa World Year Book, 1991|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CmOUWTetnQ4C|year=1991|publisher=Europa Publications Limited|isbn=978-0-946653-69-0|page=1664|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102947/https://books.google.com/books?id=CmOUWTetnQ4C|url-status=live}}</ref>

===May===
* [[May 1]] – Angolan Civil War: The [[MPLA]] and [[UNITA]] agree to the [[Bicesse Accords]], which are formally signed on May 31 in [[Lisbon]].<ref name="terms">Wright, George. ''The Destruction of a Nation: United States' Policy Towards Angola Since 1945'', 1997. Page 159.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PA-X: Peace Agreements Database|url=https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/207|access-date=2021-06-12|website=peaceagreements.org|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://www.peaceagreements.org/view/207|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 6]] – In the [[U.S.]], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine publishes "[[The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power]]," an article highly critical of the [[Scientology]] movement.<ref>{{cite news|last=Behar|first=Richard|title=Scientology: The Thriving Cult of Greed and Power|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|date=May 6, 1991|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220082505/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,972865,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 20, 2007|access-date=March 20, 2014|pages=50–57}}</ref>
* [[May 12]] – [[Nepal]] holds its first multiparty [[1991 Nepalese legislative election|legislative election]] since [[1959 Nepalese legislative election|1959]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=February 19, 2018|title=Nepal profile – Timeline|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12499391|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=June 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210605194152/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12499391|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 15]] – [[Édith Cresson]] becomes France's first female [[Prime Minister of France|prime minister]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Edith Cresson {{!}} premier of France|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edith-Cresson|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220120641/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edith-Cresson|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Drozdiak|first=William|date=May 18, 1991|title=France The Female Prime Minister|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/05/18/france-the-female-prime-minister/6124e5d4-3baa-4eb3-9067-aa7ba3cbc8c3/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125093132/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/05/18/france-the-female-prime-minister/6124e5d4-3baa-4eb3-9067-aa7ba3cbc8c3/|archive-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref>
* [[May 16]] – [[Elizabeth II]] becomes the first [[British Monarch|British monarch]] to address the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] during a 13-day royal visit in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Address by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to a Joint Meeting of the United States Congress {{!}} US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives|url=https://history.house.gov/Collection/Listing/2013/2013-135-050/|access-date=2021-06-12|website=history.house.gov|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516161309/https://history.house.gov/Collection/Listing/2013/2013-135-050/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Eaton|first=William J.|date=May 17, 1991|title=Queen Addresses Joint Congress Session|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-17-mn-1884-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512215804/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-05-17-mn-1884-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 18]] – [[Somaliland]] secedes from [[Somalia]]; its independence is [[List of states with limited recognition|not recognised]] by the [[international community]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=20 Years After Secession, Somaliland Still Seeks Recognition|url=https://www.voanews.com/africa/20-years-after-secession-somaliland-still-seeks-recognition|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=Voice of America|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723183603/https://www.voanews.com/africa/20-years-after-secession-somaliland-still-seeks-recognition|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Somaliland Wants To Make One Thing Clear: It Is NOT Somalia|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/05/30/530703639/somaliland-wants-to-make-one-thing-clear-it-is-not-somalia|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=NPR|date=May 30, 2017|last1=Beaubien|first1=Jason|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415055609/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/05/30/530703639/somaliland-wants-to-make-one-thing-clear-it-is-not-somalia|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 19]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: In the [[1991 Croatian independence referendum|Croatian independence referendum]], voters in the [[Socialist Republic of Croatia]] vote to leave [[SFR Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Sudetic|first=Chuck|date=May 20, 1991|title=Croatia Votes for Sovereignty and Confederation|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/20/world/croatia-votes-for-sovereignty-and-confederation.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124201026/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/20/world/croatia-votes-for-sovereignty-and-confederation.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 21]]
**At [[Sriperumbudur]], India, a suicide bomber from [[LTTE]] attacks a political meeting, [[Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi|killing former Prime Minister]] [[Rajiv Gandhi]] and at least 14 others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2018/may/21/a-look-back-at-rajiv-gandhi-assassination-rare-images-from-the-past-101515.html|title=A look back at Rajiv Gandhi assassination: Rare images from the past|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=December 11, 2020|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514210449/http://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/nation/2018/may/21/a-look-back-at-rajiv-gandhi-assassination-rare-images-from-the-past-101515.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
**Ethiopian Civil War: [[Mengistu Haile Mariam]], president of the [[People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia]], flees [[Ethiopia]] to [[Zimbabwe]], effectively bringing the [[Ethiopian Civil War]] to an end.<ref>{{cite book|title=The World Factbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JkQfwA30aY4C&pg=PA107|year=1992|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency|pages=107|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102945/https://books.google.com/books?id=JkQfwA30aY4C&pg=PA107#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 22]] – Acting [[Prime Minister of South Korea]] [[Ro Jai-bong]] resigns in the wake of rioting following the beating to death of a student by police on April 26. He is succeeded by [[Chung Won-shik]] two days later.<ref>{{cite book|author1=World Book, Inc|author2=World Book Encyclopedia|title=The World Book Year Book, 1992|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YIovVAHq-CkC|date=February 1992|publisher=World Book, Incorporated|isbn=978-0-7166-0492-1|page=22|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101931/https://books.google.com/books?id=YIovVAHq-CkC|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 24]] – Following authorisation by [[Prime Minister of Israel|Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Yitzhak Shamir]], [[Operation Solomon]] commences to airlift most of the remaining [[Beta Israel]] community from [[People's Democratic Republic of Ethiopia|Ethiopia]] to Israel.<ref>{{cite book|first=Stephen|last=Spector|title=Operation Solomon: The Daring Rescue of the Ethiopian Jews|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g_6JuMlIHH4C&pg=PA232|date=March 15, 2005|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-983910-0|pages=232|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101919/https://books.google.com/books?id=g_6JuMlIHH4C&pg=PA232#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[May 25]] – The [[1991 Surinamese general election|Surinamese general election]] is won by the military-backed [[New Front for Democracy and Development]].{{sfn|Nohlen|2005|pp=614–615}}
* [[May 26]] – [[Lauda Air Flight 004|Lauda Air Boeing 767 crashes]] near [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]], killing all 223 people on board.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Jay Levinson|author2=Hayim Granot|title=Transportation Disaster Response Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0jQIn-0hAbMC&pg=PA57|year=2002|publisher=Academic Press|isbn=978-0-12-445486-6|pages=57|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101931/https://books.google.com/books?id=0jQIn-0hAbMC&pg=PA57#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[May 28]] – Ethiopian Civil War: The forces of the [[Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front]] seize the capital [[Addis Ababa]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Krauss|first=Clifford|date=May 28, 1991|title=Ethiopian rebels storm the capital and seize control|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/28/world/ethiopian-rebels-storm-the-capital-and-seize-control.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310123923/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/28/world/ethiopian-rebels-storm-the-capital-and-seize-control.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===June===
[[File:Pinatubo91eruption clark air base.jpg|upright=0.75|thumb|[[Mount Pinatubo]]]]
* [[June 3]] – [[Mount Unzen]] in [[List of volcanoes in Japan|Japan]] erupts, killing 46 people as a result of [[pyroclastic flow]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mount Unzen {{!}} volcano, Japan|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Unzen|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730221820/https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Unzen|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 4]] 
**[[Fatos Nano]] resigns as [[Prime Minister of Albania]] following a nationwide strike. [[President of Albania]] [[Ramiz Alia]] appoints [[Ylli Bufi]] as his successor.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Communist government resigned Tuesday under an agreement by...|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/04/The-Communist-government-resigned-Tuesday-under-an-agreement-by/5766676008000/|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=[[United Press International]]|archive-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612003244/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/04/The-Communist-government-resigned-Tuesday-under-an-agreement-by/5766676008000/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hard-line Communist picked as Albanian prime minister|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/06/Hard-line-Communist-picked-as-Albanian-prime-minister/6582676180800/|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=United Press International|archive-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612002855/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/06/06/Hard-line-Communist-picked-as-Albanian-prime-minister/6582676180800/|url-status=live}}</ref>
** A large [[solar flare]] triggers an unusually large [[aurora]] as far south as [[Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wald|first=Matthew|title=Severe Sun Storm Threatens Utilities|journal=The New York Times|date=June 6, 1991|page=16|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/06/us/severe-sun-storm-threatens-utilities.html|access-date=May 23, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118091204/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/06/us/severe-sun-storm-threatens-utilities.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Large Solar Flares Since 1976|url=http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Educational/2/3/9|work=[[Australian Bureau of Meteorology]]|access-date=May 23, 2016|archive-date=June 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624075042/http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Educational/2/3/9|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 5]]
**[[President of Algeria]] [[Chadli Bendjedid]] declares a state of emergency as [[Prime Minister of Algeria|Prime Minister]] [[Mouloud Hamrouche]] resigns after 11 days of protests against the government; Hamrouche is replaced by [[Sid Ahmed Ghozali]].<ref>{{cite news|date=June 5, 1991|title=Algeria Puts Off Elections; Premier Quits : North Africa: The president declares a state of siege after rioting by Muslim fundamentalists. The army moves in.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-05-mn-227-story.html|access-date=November 20, 2024|website=Los Angeles Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120134435/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-05-mn-227-story.html|archive-date=November 20, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=June 5, 1991|title=Algerian government resigns amid violence|url=https://tampabay.com/archive/1991/06/05/algerian-government-resigns-amid-violence/|access-date=November 20, 2024|website=Tampa Bay Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124153139/https://tampabay.com/archive/1991/06/05/algerian-government-resigns-amid-violence/|archive-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref>
** End of Apartheid: The [[South African Parliament]] votes to repeal laws banning Black ownership of land.<ref>{{cite news|date=June 6, 1991|title=S. Africa Abolishes Laws Banning Black Land Ownership|url=https://latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-06-mn-255-story.html|access-date=November 20, 2024|website=Los Angeles Times|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121122736/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-06-mn-255-story.html|archive-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref>
* [[June 7]] – Approximately [[National Victory Celebration|200,000 people attend a parade]] of 8,800 returning Persian Gulf War troops in [[Washington, D.C.]]<ref>{{cite journal|last=Fitzgerald|first=David|date=March 2019|title=Support the Troops: Gulf War Homecomings and a New Politics of Military Celebration|journal=Modern American History|volume=2|issue=1|pages=1–22|doi=10.1017/mah.2019.1|s2cid=159284106|issn=2515-0456|doi-access=free|hdl=10468/9737|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last2=Brown|first2=DeNeen L.|last1=Jordan|first1=Mary|author-link1=Mary Jordan (journalist)|date=June 10, 1991|title=On The Mall, The Celebration Lingers|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/10/on-the-mall-the-celebration-lingers/89f330fe-462e-457f-b8c4-c8162d82c6d5/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=October 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026131915/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/10/on-the-mall-the-celebration-lingers/89f330fe-462e-457f-b8c4-c8162d82c6d5/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 9]] – A major collapse at the [[Mining industry of Eswatini|Emaswati Colliery]] in [[Swaziland]] traps 26 miners 65 meters below the surface; they are rescued 30 hours later.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twenty-six miners trapped in a Swaziland coal mine are rescued with help from South Africa. {{!}} South African History Online|url=https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/twenty-six-miners-trapped-swaziland-coal-mine-are-rescued-help-south-africa|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=sahistory.org.za|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730144513/https://www.sahistory.org.za/dated-event/twenty-six-miners-trapped-swaziland-coal-mine-are-rescued-help-south-africa|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 12]] 
**[[Boris Yeltsin]] is elected [[President of Russia|President]] of the [[Russian SFSR]]; he officially begins his term on July 10.<ref>{{cite book|title=FBIS Report: Central Eurasia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R0ZjcgSaaiUC|year=1992|publisher=The Service|page=7|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101919/https://books.google.com/books?id=R0ZjcgSaaiUC|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[Sri Lankan civil war]]: [[Sri Lankan Army]] soldiers [[1991 Kokkadichcholai massacre|kill 152 civilians]] in [[Kokkadichcholai]].<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=June 14, 1991|title=Sri Lankans Accuse Army of Massacre|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/14/world/sri-lankans-accuse-army-of-massacre.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029103516/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/14/world/sri-lankans-accuse-army-of-massacre.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[Party of Labour of Albania]] is dissolved and succeeded by the [[Socialist Party of Albania]], marking the end of [[Communist Albania|communist rule in Albania]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Albanian Socialist Party {{!}} political party, Albania|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Albanian-Socialist-Party|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623221816/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Albanian-Socialist-Party|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Sudetic|first=Chuck|date=June 12, 1991|title=Albania's Communists in Upheaval|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/12/world/albania-s-communists-in-upheaval.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029103434/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/12/world/albania-s-communists-in-upheaval.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 15]]
** In the Philippines, [[Mount Pinatubo]] erupts in the [[1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo|second largest terrestrial eruption of the 20th century]]; the final death toll exceeds 800. The eruption causes a global cooling of around 0.4&nbsp;°C.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mount Pinatubo: The June 1991 Eruptions|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SeUKAQAAIAAJ|year=1992|publisher=[[U.S. Department of Commerce]], [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]], [[National Geophysical Data Center]]|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207101821/https://books.google.com/books?id=SeUKAQAAIAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Hoppe|first=K.|date=July 18, 1992|title=Mt. Pinatubo's Cloud Shades Global Climate|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3976864|journal=Science News|volume=142|issue=3|pages=37|doi=10.2307/3976864|jstor=3976864|issn=0036-8423|access-date=August 4, 2022|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102336/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3976864?origin=crossref|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[1991 Indian general election|Indian general elections]] end; the [[Indian National Congress]] wins the most seats but fails to secure a majority. Six days later, Congress leader [[P. V. Narasimha Rao]] becomes [[Prime Minister of India]].<ref>{{cite web|title=INDIA: parliamentary elections Lok Sabha, 1991|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2145_91.htm|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=archive.ipu.org|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2145_91.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=P.V. Narasimha Rao {{!}} prime minister of India|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/P-V-Narasimha-Rao|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=June 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602181221/https://www.britannica.com/biography/P-V-Narasimha-Rao|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 16]] – [[Father's Day Bank Massacre]]: Four [[security guard]]s are shot to death during a [[bank robbery]] at the United Bank Tower in [[Denver]], [[Colorado]], United States. The person subsequently charged with the crime was acquitted, and the case remains unsolved.<ref>{{cite news|last=Romero|first=John|url=http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-fathers-day-massacre-mystery-txt,0,2862251.story|title=19 years later, Denver bank massacre still a mystery|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716234552/http://www.kdvr.com/news/kdvr-fathers-day-massacre-mystery-txt,0,2862251.story|archive-date=July 16, 2011|url-status=dead|work=[[KDVR]]|location=Denver|date=May 24, 2010}}</ref>
* [[June 17]]
** End of Apartheid: The [[South African parliament]] repeals the [[Population Registration Act]], which has required [[Apartheid|racial classification]] of all South Africans at birth.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wren|first=Christopher S.|date=June 18, 1991|title=South Africa Scraps Law Defining People by Race|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/18/world/south-africa-scraps-law-defining-people-by-race.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029103557/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/18/world/south-africa-scraps-law-defining-people-by-race.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kraft|first=Scott|date=June 18, 1991|title=South Africa Abolishes Race Registration Law|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/18/south-africa-abolishes-race-registration-law/defbe86b-3085-49d9-8fd7-ae1254b5100e/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121122816/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/18/south-africa-abolishes-race-registration-law/defbe86b-3085-49d9-8fd7-ae1254b5100e/|archive-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref>
**[[President of Turkey]] [[Turgut Özal]] appoints [[Mesut Yılmaz]] as [[Prime Minister of Turkey|Prime Minister]] following [[Yıldırım Akbulut]]'s resignation. Yılmaz forms a new government on June 23, which lasts until November when it is replaced by the government of [[Süleyman Demirel]].<ref name="75.Yıl">''Türkiye'nin 75 Yılı'', Tempo yayıncılık, İstanbul, 1998</ref><ref>{{cite journal|year=1997|title=Appendix|url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26726878|journal=[[Insight Turkey]]|issue=7|pages=179–190|jstor=26726878|issn=1302-177X|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104231232/https://www.jstor.org/stable/26726878|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Süleyman Demirel {{!}} president of Turkey|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Suleyman-Demirel|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=June 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617110531/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Suleyman-Demirel|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 20]]
** In [[West Germany]], the [[Bundestag]] [[Decision on the Capital of Germany|votes to move]] the capital from [[Bonn]] to [[Berlin]].<ref>{{cite web|title=On This Day: Germany votes to move capital to Berlin|url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2018/06/20/On-This-Day-Germany-votes-to-move-capital-to-Berlin/5661529425096/|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=United Press International|archive-date=July 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724064754/https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2018/06/20/On-This-Day-Germany-votes-to-move-capital-to-Berlin/5661529425096/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Fisher|first=Marc|author-link=Marc Fisher|date=June 20, 1991|title=Berlin Voted New Seat of Government|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/21/berlin-voted-new-seat-of-government/d26089a2-faf4-4cfd-b481-ca67d9ee2f45/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121122940/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/06/21/berlin-voted-new-seat-of-government/d26089a2-faf4-4cfd-b481-ca67d9ee2f45/|archive-date=November 21, 2024}}</ref>
** [[Harry Collinson]], the planning officer for [[Derwentside]] District Council, is shot dead at [[Butsfield]], [[County Durham]], England, and the incident is caught on camera by a [[BBC]] regional news crew.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15576202.albert-dryden-shooting-still-haunted-day-saw-man-killed-cold-blood/|title=Albert Dryden Shooting: 'Still haunted by day I saw a man killed in cold blood'|date=September 17, 2018|access-date=November 21, 2024|last=Summers|first=Mark|work=[[The Northern Echo]]|url-status=live|archive-date=April 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240430123537/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15576202.albert-dryden-shooting-still-haunted-day-saw-man-killed-cold-blood/}}</ref>
* [[June 23]] – [[June 28|28]] – Iraq disarmament crisis: UN inspection teams attempt to intercept Iraqi vehicles carrying nuclear related equipment. Iraqi soldiers fire warning shots in the air to prevent inspectors from approaching the vehicles.{{cn|date=November 2024}}
* [[June 25]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: [[Croatia]] and [[Slovenia]] declare their independence from [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Milestones: 1989–1992 – Office of the Historian|url=https://history.state.gov/milestones/1989-1992/breakup-yugoslavia|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=history.state.gov|archive-date=June 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609125535/https://history.state.gov/milestones/1989-1992/breakup-yugoslavia|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[June 28]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Comecon]] is dissolved in [[Moscow]], [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russia]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Shepherd|first=Leslie|title=Soviet-Led Comecon Trading Bloc To Disband|url=https://apnews.com/article/ea422353d454637df6e14349b1854165|date=May 19, 1991|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319223114/https://apnews.com/article/ea422353d454637df6e14349b1854165|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== July ===
* [[July 1]]
** In the [[U.S.]], telephone services go down in [[Washington, D.C.]], [[Pittsburgh]], [[Los Angeles]], and [[San Francisco]] as a result of a software bug, affecting nearly 12&nbsp;million customers.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Andrews|first=Edmund L.|date=July 10, 1991|title=Faulty Software Code Is Cited in Phone Disruptions|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/10/us/faulty-software-code-is-cited-in-phone-disruptions.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029104126/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/10/us/faulty-software-code-is-cited-in-phone-disruptions.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PART ONE: Crashing the System|url=http://www.mit.edu/hacker/part1.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=mit.edu|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610003134/http://www.mit.edu/hacker/part1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The [[Warsaw Pact]] is officially dissolved in [[Prague]], [[Czechoslovakia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Warsaw Pact {{!}} Summary, History, Countries, Map, Significance, & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/Warsaw-Pact|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307024152/https://www.britannica.com/event/Warsaw-Pact|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The world's first [[GSM]] telephone call is made in [[Finland]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 5, 2016|title=Who was first?|url=https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/history/changing-the-world/world-leadership/who-was-first|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=ericsson.com|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111081011/https://www.ericsson.com/en/about-us/history/changing-the-world/world-leadership/who-was-first|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Arghire|first=Ionut|date=July 1, 2011|title=20 Years Since the First GSM Call|url=https://news.softpedia.com/news/20-Years-Since-the-First-GSM-Call-209354.shtml|access-date=November 11, 2021|website=softpediaglish|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111081010/https://news.softpedia.com/news/20-Years-Since-the-First-GSM-Call-209354.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 4]] – The [[Constituent Assembly of Colombia]] proclaims a new constitution,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=11. Colombia (1910–present)|url=https://uca.edu/politicalscience/home/research-projects/dadm-project/western-hemisphere-region/colombia-1910-present/|access-date=February 2, 2024|website=uca.edu|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914001220/https://uca.edu/politicalscience/home/research-projects/dadm-project/western-hemisphere-region/colombia-1910-present/|archive-date=September 14, 2024}}</ref> allowing the [[President of Colombia]] [[César Gaviria]] to lift the country's seven-year-long [[state of siege]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Brooke|first=James|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/05/world/colombia-s-rewritten-charter-opens-politics-to-new-forces.html|title=Colombia's Rewritten Charter Opens Politics to New Forces|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 5, 1991|access-date=November 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525223611/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/05/world/colombia-s-rewritten-charter-opens-politics-to-new-forces.html|archive-date=May 25, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 7]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The [[Brioni Agreement]] ends the [[Ten-Day War]] in [[Slovenia]].<ref>{{cite book|author1=István Gyarmati|author2=Theodor Winkler|title=Post-Cold War Defense Reform: Lessons Learned in Europe and the United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=G32Hf131kAcC&pg=PA112|year=2002|publisher=Potomac Books, Inc.|isbn=978-1-57488-577-4|pages=112|access-date=April 11, 2021|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102445/https://books.google.com/books?id=G32Hf131kAcC&pg=PA112|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 9]]
** End of Apartheid: The [[International Olympic Committee]] [[Apartheid-era South Africa and the Olympics|readmits South Africa]] to the [[Olympics]]. The following day, [[George H. W. Bush|U.S. President Bush]] terminates [[1986]]-enacted [[U.S. sanctions]] on [[South Africa–United States relations|South Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tempest|first=Rone|date=July 10, 1991|title=South Africa Readmitted to Olympics Competition : Apartheid: Nation ends 21 years as a sports pariah because of racism. It is eligible for the 1992 Games.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-10-mn-1896-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-10-mn-1896-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Honey|first=Peter|title=Bush ends ban on trade with South Africa Executive order tied to "profound" moves on apartheid|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-07-11-1991192039-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|date=July 11, 1991|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622051207/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-07-11-1991192039-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Iran–Contra affair: [[Alan Fiers]] agrees to plead guilty to two charges of lying to the [[U.S. Congress]]. Later on September 16, [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia|D.C. Judge]] [[Gerhard Gesell]] issues a ruling clearing [[Col.]] [[Oliver North]] of all charges.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wines|first=Michael|date=July 30, 1991|title=Washington at Work; Quintessential Spy Undone by His Own Loyalty|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/30/us/washington-at-work-quintessential-spy-undone-by-his-own-loyalty.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/30/us/washington-at-work-quintessential-spy-undone-by-his-own-loyalty.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Johnston|first=David|title=All Iran-contra charges against North dropped Prosecutors cite taint of testimony given to Congress|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-09-17-1991260006-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|date=September 17, 1991|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622052741/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-09-17-1991260006-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 11]]
** A [[Solar eclipse of July 11, 1991|solar eclipse of record totality]] occurs in the Northern hemisphere and is witnessed by hundreds of millions of people in [[Hawaii]], [[Mexico]], [[Colombia]] and [[Brazil]].<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1989JRASC..83..157E|title=Predictions for the Total Solar Eclipse of 1991|last=Espenak|first=Fred|journal=Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada|volume=83|date=June 1989|pages=157–178|bibcode=1989JRASC..83..157E |access-date=November 25, 2024|url-status=live|archive-date=November 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125135126/https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1989JRASC..83..157E}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/how-did-mexicans-experience-the-last-total-solar-eclipse-of-1991/|title=How did Mexicans experience the last total solar eclipse of 1991?|date=April 8, 2024|access-date=November 25, 2024|website=[[Mexico News Daily]]|url-status=live|archive-date=April 25, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240425031338/https://mexiconewsdaily.com/culture/how-did-mexicans-experience-the-last-total-solar-eclipse-of-1991/}}</ref>
**[[Nigeria Airways Flight 2120]], a [[Douglas DC-8]] operated by Canadian airline [[Nolisair]], catches fire and crashes soon after takeoff from [[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]], killing all 261 people on board.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=July 12, 1991|title=261 Die as a Flight for Muslim Pilgrims Crashes Near Jidda|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/12/world/261-die-as-a-flight-for-muslim-pilgrims-crashes-near-jidda.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308160902/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/12/world/261-die-as-a-flight-for-muslim-pilgrims-crashes-near-jidda.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 15]] – [[Chemical Bank]] and [[Manufacturers Hanover Corporation]] amalgamate, becoming the [[List of bank mergers in the United States|largest bank merger]] in history.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Deckelman|first=Paul|title=Chemical Bank, Manufacturers Hanover officially merge|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/12/31/Chemical-Bank-Manufacturers-Hanover-officially-merge/3446694155600/|date=December 31, 1991|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=United Press International|archive-date=June 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210611235804/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/12/31/Chemical-Bank-Manufacturers-Hanover-officially-merge/3446694155600/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chemical Banking Corporation {{!}} American bank holding company|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chemical-Banking-Corporation|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=May 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511011124/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chemical-Banking-Corporation|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 16]] – [[Soviet President]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev|Gorbachev]] arrives in [[London]] to ask for aid from the leaders of the [[G7]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Clines|first=Francis X.|date=May 23, 1991|title=Gorbachev pleads for $100 billion in aid from West|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/23/world/gorbachev-pleads-for-100-billion-in-aid-from-west.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630145459/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/05/23/world/gorbachev-pleads-for-100-billion-in-aid-from-west.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Whitney|first=Craig R.|date=September 2, 1991|title=Gorbachev Asks British Leader for Economic Aid|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/02/world/gorbachev-asks-british-leader-for-economic-aid.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029105714/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/02/world/gorbachev-asks-british-leader-for-economic-aid.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 18]] – The governments of [[Mauritania]] and [[Senegal]] sign a treaty ending the [[Mauritania–Senegal Border War]], which has been fought since [[1989#April|April 1989]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Communal Violence in Mauritania and Senegal 1989–1992|url=https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/communal-violence-mauritania-and-senegal-1989-1992|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=climate-diplomacy.org|date=January 1989|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516234603/https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/communal-violence-mauritania-and-senegal-1989-1992|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 22]] – [[US Boxing|U.S. boxer]] [[Mike Tyson]] is arrested and charged with the rape, three days earlier, of [[Miss Black America]] contestant [[Desiree Washington]] in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hudson|first=Maryann|date=September 10, 1991|title=Tyson Indicted; Allegedly Raped Beauty Hopeful|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-10-mn-2440-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002022/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-10-mn-2440-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Brubaker|first=Bill|date=September 10, 1991|title=Tyson Indicted on Rape, 3 Other Counts in Indiana|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/09/10/tyson-indicted-on-rape-3-other-counts-in-indiana/51808ac3-5e35-451e-b452-e878368f7a66/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122140328/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/09/10/tyson-indicted-on-rape-3-other-counts-in-indiana/51808ac3-5e35-451e-b452-e878368f7a66/|archive-date=November 22, 2024}}</ref>
* [[July 24]] – [[Finance Minister of India]] [[Manmohan Singh]] announces a new industrial policy, marking the start of [[economic liberalisation in India]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hazarika|first=Sanjoy|date=July 25, 1991|title=India Retreats From Socialist Past|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/25/business/india-retreats-from-socialist-past.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029104315/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/25/business/india-retreats-from-socialist-past.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 25]] – British astronomers announce their discovery of what appears to be an [[extrasolar planet]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dye|first=Lee|date=July 25, 1991|title=Planet Believed Found Beyond Solar System|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-25-mn-175-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002019/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-25-mn-175-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 29]] – In [[New York City]], a grand jury indicts [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International]] of the largest bank fraud in history, accusing the bank of defrauding depositors of US$5&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lohr|first=Steve|date=August 12, 1991|title=World-Class Fraud: How B.C.C.I. Pulled It Off – A special report.; At the End of a Twisted Trail, Piggy Bank for a Favored Few|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/12/business/world-class-fraud-bcci-pulled-it-off-special-report-end-twisted-trail-piggy-bank.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=July 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707012400/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/12/business/world-class-fraud-bcci-pulled-it-off-special-report-end-twisted-trail-piggy-bank.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Fritz|first1=Sara|last2=Bates|first2=James|date=July 11, 1991|title=BCCI Case May Be History's Biggest Bank Fraud Scandal : Finance: Losses from seized institution may reach $15 billion. Some Third World central banks could collapse.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-11-mn-2869-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723170410/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-07-11-mn-2869-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[July 31]]
**[[George H. W. Bush|U.S. President Bush]] and [[Mikhail Gorbachev|Soviet President Gorbachev]] sign [[START I]] in [[Moscow]], [[Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty of 1991|url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/start-treaty-1991.htm|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=National Park Service|archive-date=June 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606113645/https://www.nps.gov/articles/start-treaty-1991.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Andrew Glass|title=Bush and Gorbachev sign nuclear arms pact, July 31, 1991|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/31/bush-and-gorbachev-sign-nuclear-arms-pact-july-31-1991-743837|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Politico|date=July 31, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102432/https://www.politico.com/story/2018/07/31/bush-and-gorbachev-sign-nuclear-arms-pact-july-31-1991-743837|archive-date=December 7, 2023}}</ref>
** Singing Revolution: Soviet Special Purpose Police Unit forces ([[OMON]]) kill seven [[Lithuania]]n customs officials in [[Medininkai]], the deadliest of the [[Soviet OMON assaults on Lithuanian border posts]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Keller|first=Bill|date=August 1, 1991|title=Gunmen Kill 6 Lithuania Border Guards|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/01/world/gunmen-kill-6-lithuania-border-guards.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029104456/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/01/world/gunmen-kill-6-lithuania-border-guards.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tracevskis|first=Rokas M.|title=Remembering the Medininkai massacre|url=https://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/23284/|date=August 5, 2009|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=The Baltic Times|archive-date=August 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805210829/https://www.baltictimes.com/news/articles/23284/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===August===
{{redirect|August 1991|the film|August 1991 (film)}}
[[File:Обломки рухнувшей Варшавской радиомачты.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|The [[Warsaw radio mast]] after its collapse on [[August 8]]]]
[[File:1991 coup attempt1.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|[[August 19]]: The coup attempt in Moscow]]
* [[August 1]] – [[Israel]] agrees to participate in the [[Madrid Conference of 1991]], which opens on October 30.
* [[August 4]] – The cruise liner ''[[MTS Oceanos]]'' sinks off the [[Cape of Good Hope|coast of South Africa]], leading to the rescue of all 571 passengers on board by [[South African Air Force|SAAF]] helicopters.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wren|first=Christopher S.|date=August 5, 1991|title=Over 500 Are Rescued as Greek Cruise Ship Sinks Off South African Coast|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/05/world/over-500-are-rescued-as-greek-cruise-ship-sinks-off-south-african-coast.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318061753/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/05/world/over-500-are-rescued-as-greek-cruise-ship-sinks-off-south-african-coast.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Eddings|first=Jerelyn|title=South Africa probes cause of luxury liner's sinking|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-08-06-1991218021-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=The Baltimore Sun|date=August 6, 1991|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622053131/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1991-08-06-1991218021-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 6]] – [[Tim Berners-Lee]] announces the [[World Wide Web]] project and software on the alt.hypertext newsgroup. The first website, "info.cern.ch", is created.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Press Release: W3C Launches International Program Office for WAI|url=https://www.w3.org/Press/IPO-announce.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=w3.org|date=October 22, 1997|archive-date=August 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802135953/https://www.w3.org/Press/IPO-announce.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=A short history of the Web|url=https://home.cern/science/computing/birth-web/short-history-web|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=CERN|archive-date=April 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417082120/https://home.cern/science/computing/birth-web/short-history-web|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 7]] – Former Iranian [[Prime Minister of Iran|prime minister]] [[Shapour Bakhtiar]] is assassinated in the Parisian suburb of [[Suresnes]].<ref name="f2410">{{cite news|last=Jacinto|first=Leela|date=May 19, 2010|title=Ali Vakili Rad: The Perfect Murder and An Imperfect Getaway|website=[[France 24]]|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20100518-ali-vakili-rad-perfect-murder-imperfect-getaway-shapour-bakhtiar|access-date=July 31, 2013|archive-date=August 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809141440/http://www.france24.com/en/20100518-ali-vakili-rad-perfect-murder-imperfect-getaway-shapour-bakhtiar|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 8]] – The [[Warsaw radio mast]], the tallest structure in the world at the time, collapses.<ref>{{cite web|title=25 years ago today, the tallest structure on earth you've never heard of collapsed|url=https://www.newstalk.com/news/25-year-ago-today-the-tallest-structure-on-earth-youve-never-heard-of-collapsed-582011|date=August 9, 2016|website=[[Newstalk.com]]|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=November 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111193132/https://www.newstalk.com/news/25-year-ago-today-the-tallest-structure-on-earth-youve-never-heard-of-collapsed-582011|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 17]] – The remains of the [[Prussian King]] [[Frederick the Great]] are re-interred in [[Potsdam]], Germany.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Thorson|first=Larry|title=Precede Hechingen Frederick The Great Being Returned To Prussian Grave|url=https://apnews.com/article/6c528d7edbe51167154a830b564d6143|date=August 17, 1991|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002022/https://apnews.com/article/6c528d7edbe51167154a830b564d6143|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Fisher|first=Marc|date=August 16, 1991|title=Frederick The Grave|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/08/17/frederick-the-grave/20b2dfdd-69fa-487d-a568-77ffa8cda4df/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125093149/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/08/17/frederick-the-grave/20b2dfdd-69fa-487d-a568-77ffa8cda4df/|archive-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jones|first=Tamara|date=August 13, 1991|title=Postscript : Coming Home to Rest After 205 Years, 6 Stops : Frederick the Great wanted to be buried in the garden of his summer palace. Now, he's about to get his wish.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-13-wr-1088-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002019/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-13-wr-1088-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 17]] – [[August 20|20]] – [[Hurricane Bob]] hits [[North Carolina]] and [[New England]], killing 17 people and causing US$1.5&nbsp;billion in damage.<ref>{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=Hurricane Bob, August 18–19, 1991|url=https://www.weather.gov/mhx/HurricaneBob1991EventReview|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=weather.gov|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613003526/https://www.weather.gov/mhx/HurricaneBob1991EventReview|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 19, 1991|title=Hurricane Hits North Carolina and Moves North|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/19/us/hurricane-hits-north-carolina-and-moves-north.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002023/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/08/19/us/hurricane-hits-north-carolina-and-moves-north.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hurricane Bob Howls into New England After Lashing Long Island, East Coast|url=https://apnews.com/article/8aa2b54331db039d8a6c4b963870da71|date=August 19, 1991|access-date=June 13, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616042824/https://apnews.com/article/8aa2b54331db039d8a6c4b963870da71|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[August 19]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Soviet President]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] is put under [[house arrest]] while vacationing in [[Crimea]] during [[1991 Soviet coup d'état attempt|an attempted coup]]. Led by [[List of heads of state of the Soviet Union|Vice President]] [[Gennady Yanayev]] and seven others, the coup collapses in less than 72 hours and is protested by over 100,000 people outside the [[White House (Moscow)|parliament building]]. Gorbachev returns to [[Moscow]] three days later and arrests the coup leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Soviet Coup of 1991 {{!}} Soviet history|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Soviet-Coup-of-1991|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=May 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501093549/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Soviet-Coup-of-1991|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=August 18, 2011|title=Moscow 1991: A coup that seemed doomed from the start|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-14579945|access-date=June 13, 2021|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002019/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-14579945|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 20]] – Singing Revolution: [[Estonia]] declares independence from the Soviet Union, followed by [[Latvia]] the next day.
[[File:Flag of Russia.svg|thumb|upright=0.75|Restored flag of Russia]]
* [[August 22]] – Singing Revolution: [[Iceland]] becomes the first nation to recognize the independence of the [[Baltic states]]. It is followed by the U.S. on September 2 and the [[Soviet Union]] on September 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=25 years ago today: Iceland recognises Estonia and Latvia|url=https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2016/08/22/25_years_ago_today_iceland_recognises_estonia_and_l/|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Iceland Monitor|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002022/https://icelandmonitor.mbl.is/news/politics_and_society/2016/08/22/25_years_ago_today_iceland_recognises_estonia_and_l/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Dahlburg|first1=John-Thor|last2=Marshall|first2=Tyler|date=September 7, 1991|title=Independence for Baltic States : Freedom: Moscow formally recognizes Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, ending half a century of control. Soviets to begin talks soon on new relationships with the three nations.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-07-mn-1530-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603043522/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-07-mn-1530-story.html?_amp=true|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[August 23]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: Russia restores the [[Flag of Russia|white-blue-red tricolour]] as its [[national flag]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Flag of Russia|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Russia|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=October 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025144020/https://www.britannica.com/topic/flag-of-Russia|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 24]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Ukraine]] declares independence, followed by [[Belarus]] the next day, from the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite book|author1=Paul G. Lewis|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sKYMwihCa8QC&pg=PA141|title=Party Development and Democratic Change in Post-Communist Europe: The First Decade|author2=Professor Paul Lewis|publisher=Psychology Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0-7146-5155-2|pages=141|access-date=August 25, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207102350/https://books.google.com/books?id=sKYMwihCa8QC&pg=PA141#v=onepage&q&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 25]]
** Dissolution of Yugoslavia: [[Battle of Vukovar|Serbian forces begin an attack]] on the [[Croatia]]n town of [[Vukovar]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Battle of Vukovar: Croatia's Hope to Defend Their Land|work=[[St Mary's University, Twickenham|StMU History Media]]|url=https://stmuhistorymedia.org/the-battle-of-vukovar-croatias-hope-to-defend-their-land/|last=Sanchez|first=Dylan|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://stmuhistorymedia.org/the-battle-of-vukovar-croatias-hope-to-defend-their-land/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[Linus Torvalds]] posts messages to the [[Usenet]] newsgroup comp.os.minix, regarding the new operating system kernel he has developed, called [[Linux]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=LINUX's History by Linus Torvalds|url=https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~awb/linux.history.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=cs.cmu.edu|archive-date=September 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914053148/https://www.cs.cmu.edu/~awb/linux.history.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/sect_01_01.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=tldp.org|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043353/https://tldp.org/LDP/intro-linux/html/sect_01_01.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[Michael Schumacher]], regarded as one of the greatest [[History of Formula One|Formula One drivers in history]], makes his [[Formula One]] debut at the [[1991 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgian Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=October 12, 2003|title=Who is the greatest ever?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3168114.stm|work=BBC Sport|last=Benson|first=Andrew|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-date=October 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016052557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3168114.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 29]] – Lebanon Hostage Crisis: [[Maronite]] general [[Michel Aoun]] leaves [[Lebanon]] on a French warship into [[exile]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 31, 1991|title=Lebanon's Aoun in Exile at French Villa : Mideast: Mutinous general is spirited out of Beirut under an amnesty for war crimes.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-31-mn-1251-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-08-31-mn-1251-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Boustany|first=Nora|date=August 30, 1991|title=Aoun Leaves Lebanon To Live in Exile|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/08/30/aoun-leaves-lebanon-to-live-in-exile/fc2c3697-3b42-4af1-8574-296e26bb7b15/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=December 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224143945/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/08/30/aoun-leaves-lebanon-to-live-in-exile/fc2c3697-3b42-4af1-8574-296e26bb7b15/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[August 30]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Moldova]] declares independence from the Soviet Union, followed by [[Azerbaijan]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Potier|first=Tim|title=Conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, Abkhazia and South Ossetia : a legal appraisal|publisher=Kluwer Law International|location=The Hague Boston|year=2001|isbn=9789041114778|page=16}}</ref>
* [[August 31]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Kyrgyzstan]] and [[Uzbekistan]] declare their independence; [[Tajikistan]] follows suit on [[September 9]].

===September===
[[Image:Baltic states flag map.svg|thumb|232x232px|Map of the three Baltic states, in their flag colours.]]
* [[September 3]] – In [[Hamlet, North Carolina|Hamlet]], [[North Carolina]], [[Hamlet chicken processing plant fire|a grease fire breaks out]] at the Imperial Foods chicken processing plant, killing 25 people.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 4, 1991|title=Food Plant Fire Kills 25; Exits Blocked : Disaster: Chicken workers in North Carolina are trapped in a facility that had never been inspected for safety. Another 40 workers hurt.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-04-mn-1427-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-04-mn-1427-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The Tragic Story of the Hamlet Fire|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=984823229|access-date=June 13, 2021|publisher=NPR|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043309/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=984823229|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 4]] – [[Sverdlovsk, Russia|Sverdlovsk]]'s name is restored to its [[De-Communisation|pre-communist–era name]] [[Yekaterinburg]]. Two days later, [[Leningrad]] is renamed [[St. Petersburg]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=September 24, 1991|title=Reverting to Original Name, Sverdlovsk Is Yekaterinburg|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/24/world/reverting-to-original-name-sverdlovsk-is-yekaterinburg.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029111642/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/24/world/reverting-to-original-name-sverdlovsk-is-yekaterinburg.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Leningrad changes its name back to St Petersburg|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-45411151|date=September 5, 2018|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=May 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210511115117/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/stories-45411151|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 5]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The [[Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union]] self-dissolves, being replaced by [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union]] and [[State Council of the Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schmemann|first=Serge|date=September 6, 1991|title=Soviet turmoil; Soviet congress yields rule to Republics to avoid political and economic collapse|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/06/world/soviet-turmoil-soviet-congress-yields-rule-republics-avoid-political-economic.html|access-date=June 16, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210623001222/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/06/world/soviet-turmoil-soviet-congress-yields-rule-republics-avoid-political-economic.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 8]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The [[North Macedonia|Republic of Macedonia]] becomes independent, beginning a [[Macedonia naming dispute|name dispute]] with [[Greece–North Macedonia relations|Greece]].
* [[September 11]]
**Lebanon Hostage Crisis: [[Israel]] releases [[Palestinian prisoners of Israel|51 Arab prisoners]] and the bodies of nine guerrillas, paving the way for the release of the last [[Lebanon hostage crisis|western hostages in Lebanon]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wright|first=Robin|date=September 12, 1991|title=Israel Frees 51 Arab Prisoners : Mideast: Officials act after receiving proof that a soldier captured in Lebanon is dead. The U.N. mediation success raises U.S. hopes for release of Western hostages.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-12-mn-2961-story.html|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015190311/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-12-mn-2961-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hostage Talks Advance As Israel Frees Arab Prisoners|url=https://apnews.com/article/8e59e14746e4d17097ff537cbb1e3af8|access-date=June 16, 2021|work=Associated Press News}}{{dead link|date=December 2024|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>
**The [[Soviet Union]] announces plans to withdraw [[Cuba–Soviet Union relations|military and economic aid]] to [[Cuba]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=McManus|first=Doyle|date=September 12, 1991|title=Soviet Troops to Leave Cuba, Gorbachev Says|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-12-mn-2964-story.html|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=April 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210405152550/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-12-mn-2964-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Cuba – National evolution and Soviet influence|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Cuba|access-date=June 16, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=August 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210823081846/https://www.britannica.com/place/Cuba|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 15]] – In the [[1991 Swedish general election|Swedish general election]], the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party|Social Democrats]] suffer their worst election results in 60 years, leading to the resignation of [[Prime Minister of Sweden|Prime Minister]] [[Ingvar Carlsson]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sweden: parliamentary elections Riksdagen, 1991|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2303_91.htm|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=archive.ipu.org|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002022/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2303_91.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rapp|first=Johan|title=Ingvar Carlsson: A Leader Who Put the Team Above Himself With PM-Sweden Election, Bjt|url=https://apnews.com/article/5f949132139314c8efa02c6faffdf4e8|date=September 16, 1991|access-date=June 13, 2021|work=Associated Press News|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://apnews.com/article/5f949132139314c8efa02c6faffdf4e8|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[September 17]] – [[North Korea]], [[South Korea]], [[Estonia]], [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], the [[Marshall Islands]], and [[Federated States of Micronesia|Micronesia]] join the [[United Nations|UN]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nations|first=United|title=Member States|url=https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=United Nations|archive-date=June 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629090000/https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 19]] – [[Ötzi|Ötzi the Iceman]] is found in the [[Alps]].<ref>{{Cite web|first=Stephanie|last=Pappas|title=Ötzi the Iceman may have scaled ice-free Alps|url=https://www.livescience.com/otzi-iceman-lived-in-ice-free-alpine.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=livescience.com|date=December 17, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://www.livescience.com/otzi-iceman-lived-in-ice-free-alpine.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=October 30, 2019|title=Scientists reconstruct Ötzi the Iceman's frantic final climb|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/scientists-reconstruct-otzi-iceman-final-climb|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227235442/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/scientists-reconstruct-otzi-iceman-final-climb|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 27, 2021|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Otzi {{!}} Discovery & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Otzi|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=June 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220624172716/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Otzi|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 21]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Armenia]] declares independence from the Soviet Union. Nearly a month later on October 27, [[Turkmenistan]] declares its independence. [[Kazakhstan]] follows suit on [[December 16]].
* [[September 21]] – [[September 30|30]] – Iraq disarmament crisis: [[International Atomic Energy Agency|IAEA]] inspectors discover files on [[Iraq and weapons of mass destruction|Iraq's hidden nuclear weapons program]]. Iraqi officials refuse to let them leave with the documents, prompting a standoff that continues until the [[U.N. Security Council|UN Security Council]] threatens enforcement actions on Iraq.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Lewis|first=Paul|date=September 28, 1991|title=44 U.N. Inspectors Freed by Iraq With Secret Nuclear Documents|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/28/world/44-un-inspectors-freed-by-iraq-with-secret-nuclear-documents.html|access-date=June 16, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909143618/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/28/world/44-un-inspectors-freed-by-iraq-with-secret-nuclear-documents.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Iraqi breach of international obligations|url=https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ235/PLAW-105publ235.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205010012/https://www.congress.gov/105/plaws/publ235/PLAW-105publ235.pdf|archive-date=February 5, 2024|url-status=live|access-date=March 6, 2022|website=congress.gov}}</ref>
* [[September 22]] – The [[Huntington Library]] makes the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] available to the public for the first time.<ref>{{Cite journal|collaboration=American Library Association|title=The Dead Sea Scrolls are opened to the public {{!}} Library Association|journal=College & Research Libraries News|date=July 18, 2019|url=https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/19723|doi=10.5860/crln.52.10.629|doi-access=free|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=July 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726022100/https://crln.acrl.org/index.php/crlnews/article/view/19723|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Wilford|first=John Noble|date=September 22, 1991|title=Monopoly Over Dead Sea Scrolls Is Ended|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/22/us/monopoly-over-dead-sea-scrolls-is-ended.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122183023/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/09/22/us/monopoly-over-dead-sea-scrolls-is-ended.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Chandler|first=Russell|date=September 22, 1991|title=Library Lifts Veil on Dead Sea Scrolls : Antiquities: The Huntington breaks four decades of secrecy surrounding biblical texts.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-22-mn-4145-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015214110/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-09-22-mn-4145-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 24]] – Lebanon Hostage Crisis: Lebanese kidnappers release [[Jackie Mann]] after more than two years of captivity.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 13, 2015|last=Fisk|first=Robert|title=Beirut hostage war hero dies|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/beirut-hostage-war-hero-dies-1581687.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240204061741/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/beirut-hostage-war-hero-dies-1581687.html|archive-date=February 4, 2024|url-access=subscription|url-status=live|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=The Independent}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=November 14, 1995|title=Jack Mann 81; Was Beirut Hostage|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/14/world/jack-mann-81-was-beirut-hostage.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002022/https://www.nytimes.com/1995/11/14/world/jack-mann-81-was-beirut-hostage.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 25]] – Salvadoran Civil War: Representatives of the [[Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front]] reach an agreement with [[President of El Salvador]] [[Alfredo Cristiani]], setting the stage for the end of the war.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 13, 1991|title=Bush Praises Salvadoran Leader's Peace Efforts|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-13-mn-898-story.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002023/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-13-mn-898-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Gruson|first1=Lindsey|date=March 22, 1990|title=El Salvador and Rebels Reportedly Agree to Talks|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/22/world/el-salvador-and-rebels-reportedly-agree-to-talks.html|access-date=June 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/22/world/el-salvador-and-rebels-reportedly-agree-to-talks.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front {{!}} political party, El Salvador|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Farabundo-Marti-National-Liberation-Front|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=May 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514084047/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Farabundo-Marti-National-Liberation-Front|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 27]] – U.S. President [[George H. W. Bush]] announces unilateral reductions in short-range nuclear weapons and calls off 24-hour alerts for long-range bombers. The [[Soviet Union]] responds with similar unilateral reductions on October 5.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Presidential Nuclear Initiatives (PNIs) on Tactical Nuclear Weapons at a Glance {{!}} Arms Control Association|url=https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/pniglance|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=armscontrol.org|archive-date=May 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210529221813/https://www.armscontrol.org/factsheets/pniglance|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[September 29]] – Salvadoran Civil War: An army colonel of the [[Atlácatl Battalion]] is found guilty of the [[1989 murders of Jesuits in El Salvador|1989 murders of six Jesuits]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conviction over murder of Jesuit priests must break the chain of impunity|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/09/el-salvador-condena-asesinato-sacerdotes-jesuitas/|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=Amnesty International|date=September 11, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210630145412/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/09/el-salvador-condena-asesinato-sacerdotes-jesuitas/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===October===
* [[October 1]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: Forces of the [[Yugoslav People's Army]] [[Croatian War of Independence|surround Dubrovnik]], beginning the [[Siege of Dubrovnik]], which lasts until May 31, 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Silber|first=Laura|date=October 2, 1991|title=Yugoslav Forces Attack Dubrovnik Resort|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/03/yugoslav-forces-attack-dubrovnik-resort/a2294eab-0269-4953-884c-4eaf1fe17f12/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122140931/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/03/yugoslav-forces-attack-dubrovnik-resort/a2294eab-0269-4953-884c-4eaf1fe17f12/|archive-date=November 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Dubrovnik {{!}} Croatia|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Dubrovnik|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518184141/https://www.britannica.com/place/Dubrovnik|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 3]]–[[November 2]] – The [[1991 Rugby World Cup]] takes place in the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland and France and is won by [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] who beat [[England national rugby union team|England]] in [[1991 Rugby World Cup final|the final]].<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2020/mar/17/my-favourite-game-france-v-england-rugby-world-cup-1991|title= My favourite game - France v England Rugby World Cup 1991|work=The Guardian|date=2020|access-date=16 March 2025}}</ref>
* [[October 3]] – [[Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives]] [[Tom Foley]] announces the [[House banking scandal|closure of the House Bank]] by the end of the year after revelations that House members have written numerous bad checks.<ref>{{Cite web|title=This is about this country's lack of leadership|url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/10/20/this-is-about-this-country-s-lack-of-leadership/|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015201301/https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1991/10/20/this-is-about-this-country-s-lack-of-leadership/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Labaton|first=Stephen|date=November 22, 1991|title=House Leaders Decide Against Vote on S.& L. Bailout Bill|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/22/business/house-leaders-decide-against-vote-on-s-l-bailout-bill.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029112919/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/22/business/house-leaders-decide-against-vote-on-s-l-bailout-bill.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[October 4]] – [[Carl Bildt]] succeeds [[Ingvar Carlsson]] as [[Prime Minister of Sweden]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prime Ministers of Sweden Since World War II|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/prime-ministers-of-sweden-since-world-war-ii.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=WorldAtlas|date=April 25, 2017|archive-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509231758/https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/prime-ministers-of-sweden-since-world-war-ii.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 6]] – [[President Gorbachev]] condemns [[antisemitism in the Soviet Union]] in a statement read on the 50th anniversary of the [[Babi Yar massacres]], which saw the death of [[History of the Jews in Ukraine|35,000 Jews]] in [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukraine]] during [[Eastern Front (World War II)|WWII]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Clines|first=Francis X.|date=October 7, 1991|title=Gorbachev Condemns Anti-Semitism, Past and Present|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/07/world/gorbachev-condemns-anti-semitism-past-and-present.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029112055/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/07/world/gorbachev-condemns-anti-semitism-past-and-present.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Vincent J.|last=Schodolski|date=October 7, 1991|location=Moscow|title=Gorbachev rues Jewish exodus|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-10-07-9103310768-story.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|archive-date=March 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317015122/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-10-07-9103310768-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 7]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The [[Yugoslav Air Force]] bombs the office of [[Croatian President]] [[Franjo Tuđman]], causing the [[Croatian Parliament]] to cut all remaining ties with Yugoslavia the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harden|first=Blaine|date=October 7, 1991|title=Yugoslav Jets Attack Palace in Zagreb|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/08/yugoslav-jets-attack-palace-in-zagreb/798a3dd4-738d-4495-b129-2c5de20e615e/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122140934/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/08/yugoslav-jets-attack-palace-in-zagreb/798a3dd4-738d-4495-b129-2c5de20e615e/|archive-date=November 22, 2024}}</ref>
* [[October 11]]
** In the [[Russian SFSR]], the [[KGB]] is replaced by the [[Foreign Intelligence Service (Russia)|SVR]], with the KGB officially ending operations on November 6.<ref>{{cite book|last=Sakwa|first=Richard|title=Russian Politics and Society|date=September 11, 2002|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-58769-8|pages=91–92|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WTiCAgAAQBAJ|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=October 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005160248/https://books.google.com/books?id=WTiCAgAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Carlisle|first=Rodney|title=Encyclopedia of Intelligence and Counterintelligence|date=March 26, 2015|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-47177-6|page=368|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oXysBwAAQBAJ|access-date=September 10, 2023|archive-date=7 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207104209/https://books.google.com/books?id=oXysBwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>''Signals Intelligence in the Post-cold War Era'' p. 24</ref>
** Iraq disarmament crisis: The [[UN Security Council]] passes [[United Nations Security Council Resolution 715|Resolution 715]], demanding that Iraq "accept unconditionally the inspectors and all other personnel designated by the [[United Nations Special Commission|Special Commission]]."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Security Council Resolution 715|url=https://www.un.org/Depts/unscom/Chronology/resolution715.htm|access-date=June 16, 2021|work=United Nations|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411141007/https://www.un.org/Depts/unscom/Chronology/resolution715.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Iraq rejects the resolution, calling it "unlawful".
* [[October 12]] – [[Askar Akayev]] is confirmed as the first [[president of Kyrgyzstan]] in an uncontested poll.<ref>{{Cite news|date=January 11, 2021|title=Kyrgyzstan profile – Timeline|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16185772|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612174414/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16185772|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor1-last=Nohlen|editor1-first=Dieter|editor2-last=Grotz|editor2-first=Florian|editor3-last=Hartmann|editor3-first=Christof|editor1-link=Dieter Nohlen|title=Elections in Asia and the Pacific: A Data Handbook: Volume 1|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2001|isbn=0-19-924958-X|page=448}}</ref>
* [[October 13]] – In the [[1991 Bulgarian parliamentary election|Bulgarian parliamentary election]], the [[Union of Democratic Forces (Bulgaria)|Union of Democratic Forces]] defeats the [[Bulgarian Socialist Party]], leaving no remaining [[Communist governments]] in [[Eastern Europe]].{{sfn|Nohlen|Stöver|2010|pp=369, 382}}<ref>{{Cite web|author=UNHCR|title=Refworld {{!}} Bulgaria. Movements Towards Democratization|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a6084.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Refworld|archive-date=September 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914132139/https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a6084.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 15]]
** [[Clarence Thomas]] is confirmed as the new [[U.S. Supreme Court Justice]] following [[Thurgood Marshall]]'s retirement.<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 102nd Congress – 1st Session|url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=102&session=1&vote=00220|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=U.S. Senate|archive-date=April 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407085736/https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=102&session=1&vote=00220|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rosenthal|first=Andrew|date=June 28, 1991|title=Marshall retires from High Court; blows to Liberals|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/28/us/marshall-retires-from-high-court-blow-to-liberals.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614103615/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/28/us/marshall-retires-from-high-court-blow-to-liberals.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** The leaders of the [[Baltic States]]—[[Arnold Rüütel]] of [[Estonia]], [[Anatolijs Gorbunovs]] of [[Latvia]], and the [[Vytautas Landsbergis]] of [[Lithuania]]—sign the [[OSCE]] Final Act in [[Helsinki]], Finland.<ref>''Mitä Missä Milloin, Kansalaisen vuosikirja 1993'', p. 21. Helsinki: [[Otava (publisher)|Otava]], 1992. ISBN 951-1-12269-X. (in Finnish)</ref>
** The [[Oh-My-God particle]], the highest energy cosmic ray ever recorded, is detected.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=O’Callaghan |first1=Jonathan |date=May 30, 2023 |title=We are finally closing in on the cosmic origins of the 'OMG particle' |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834413-100-we-are-finally-closing-in-on-the-cosmic-origins-of-the-omg-particle/ |url-status=live |journal=[[New Scientist]] |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230609005718/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25834413-100-we-are-finally-closing-in-on-the-cosmic-origins-of-the-omg-particle/ |archive-date=June 9, 2023 |access-date=June 8, 2023}}</ref>
* [[October 16]] – [[Luby's shooting]]: 23 people are killed at a [[Luby's|Luby's restaurant]] in Killeen, Texas after [[George Hennard]] drives his truck through the establishment and begins firing at diners. It becomes the [[Mass shootings in the United States|deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history]] and wouldn't be surpassed until the [[Virginia Tech shooting]].
* [[October 18]] – The [[Soviet Union]] restores its [[Israel–Russia relations|diplomatic relations]] with [[Israel]], which have been suspended since the [[1967 Six-Day War]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Haberman|first=Clyde|date=October 19, 1991|title=Israel and Soviets Restore Full Relations|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/19/world/israel-and-soviets-restore-full-relations.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028112304/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/19/world/israel-and-soviets-restore-full-relations.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 20]]
** The [[Harare Declaration]] is signed in [[Harare]], [[Zimbabwe]], laying down the [[Commonwealth of Nations membership criteria]].<ref name="Harare Declaration text">{{cite web|date=October 20, 1991|title=Harare Commonwealth Declaration|url=http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=34457|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040207030954/http://www.thecommonwealth.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=34457|archive-date=February 7, 2004|access-date=July 25, 2007|work=[[Commonwealth Secretariat]]}}</ref>
** A [[Oakland firestorm of 1991|large suburban firestorm]] centered in [[Oakland Hills]], [[California]], kills 25 people and injures 150 others.<ref>{{Cite web|title=EBRPD – The Oakland Hills Firestorm {{!}} Forward|url=https://www.ebparks.org/about/history/the_oakland_hills_firestorm___forward.htm|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=ebparks.org|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516123802/https://www.ebparks.org/about/history/the_oakland_hills_firestorm___forward.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
** A 6.8 [[Moment magnitude scale|M<sub>w</sub>]] [[1991 Uttarkashi earthquake|earthquake strikes]] [[Uttarkashi district|Uttarkashi]], India, killing at least 768 people and destroying thousands of homes.<ref name="Jain">{{cite web|last1=Jain|first1=Sudhir. K.|title=Garhwal Earthquake of Oct. 20, 1991|url=https://www.nicee.org/eqe-iitk/uploads/EQR_Uttarkashi.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220520050915/https://www.nicee.org/eqe-iitk/uploads/EQR_Uttarkashi.pdf|archive-date=May 20, 2022|url-status=live|volume=26|number=2|pages=1–3|year=1992|series=EERI Special Earthquake Report|work=National Information Centre of Earthquake Engineering|last2=Singh|first2=Ramesh P.|last3=Gupta|first3=Vinay K.|last4=Nagar|first4=Amit}}</ref>
* [[October 21]] – Lebanon Hostage Crisis: Jesse Turner, a mathematics professor who has been held hostage for more than four years, is released.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Boustany|first1=Nora|last2=Diehl|first2=Jackson|last3=Priest|first3=Dana|date=October 21, 1991|title=Hostage Turner Freed, Arrives in Damascus|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/22/hostage-turner-freed-arrives-in-damascus/b6628fa2-38e0-4cf7-a68c-9c8b253c8891/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122141047/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/10/22/hostage-turner-freed-arrives-in-damascus/b6628fa2-38e0-4cf7-a68c-9c8b253c8891/|archive-date=November 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Hedges|first=Chris|date=October 23, 1991|title=Ex-Beirut Hostage Is in Care of U.S.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/23/world/ex-beirut-hostage-is-in-care-of-us.html|access-date=June 12, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029112537/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/10/23/world/ex-beirut-hostage-is-in-care-of-us.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 23]] – In [[Paris]], the [[Vietnam]]-backed government of the [[People's Republic of Kampuchea|state of Cambodia]] signs an agreement with the [[Khmer Rouge]] to end [[Cambodian Civil War|the civil war]] and bring the Khmer Rouge into power despite its role in the [[Cambodian genocide]]. The deal ends the [[Cambodian–Vietnamese War]] and results in the creation of the [[UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Khmer Rouge {{!}} Facts, Leadership, Genocide, & Death Toll|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Khmer-Rouge|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|archive-date=November 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107033002/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Khmer-Rouge|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=United Nations transitional authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) – Mandate|url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/untacmandate.html#:~:text=UNITED%20NATIONS%20TRANSITIONAL%20AUTHORITY%20IN,Paris%20on%2023%20October%201991.|access-date=June 13, 2021|work=United Nations|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019211537/https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/untacmandate.html#:~:text=UNITED%20NATIONS%20TRANSITIONAL%20AUTHORITY%20IN,Paris%20on%2023%20October%201991.|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 27]] – The first [[1991 Polish parliamentary election|free parliamentary elections]] in [[Poland]] since [[1928 Polish legislative election|1928]] are held.<ref>{{Cite web|title=POLAND : parliamentary elections Sejm, 1991|url=http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2255_91.htm|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=archive.ipu.org|archive-date=November 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101103307/http://archive.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2255_91.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 28]] – [[November 4]] – The [[1991 Perfect Storm]] strikes the [[northeastern U.S.]] coast and [[Atlantic Canada]], causing over US$200&nbsp;million of damage and resulting in 12 direct fatalities.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Ocean Prediction Center and 'The Perfect Storm'|url=https://ocean.weather.gov/perfectstorm/mpc_ps_intro.php|access-date=June 13, 2021|website=ocean.weather.gov|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002020/https://ocean.weather.gov/perfectstorm/mpc_ps_intro.php|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Perfect Storm (1991)|url=https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-perfect-storm-1991.htm|access-date=June 13, 2021|work=National Park Service|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613002021/https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-perfect-storm-1991.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 29]] – [[NASA]]'s [[Galileo spacecraft]] makes its closest approach to [[951 Gaspra]], becoming the first probe to visit an [[asteroid]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=NASA – NSSDCA – Data Collection – Details|url=https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/dataset/display.action?id=PSSB-00623|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015201302/https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/dataset/display.action?id=PSSB-00623|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=May 16, 2019|title=Spacecraft Exploration of Gaspra|url=https://www.britannica.com/explore/space/spacecraft-exploration-gaspra/|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=SpaceNext50 {{!}} Encyclopedia Britannica|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015170819/https://www.britannica.com/explore/space/spacecraft-exploration-gaspra/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[October 31]] – [[November 3]] – The [[1991 Halloween blizzard|Halloween blizzard]] hits the U.S. [[Upper Midwest]], killing 22 people and causing US$100&nbsp;million in damage.<ref>{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=The Halloween Blizzard of 1991|url=https://www.weather.gov/dlh/1991halloweenblizzard|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=weather.gov|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613003527/https://www.weather.gov/dlh/1991halloweenblizzard|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 30, 2018|title=On This Day: The Halloween Blizzard of 1991|url=http://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/halloween-blizzard-1991|access-date=June 12, 2021|work=[[NCEI]]|archive-date=March 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210327204140/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/news/halloween-blizzard-1991|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== November ===
[[File:Vukovar-watertower-after-war.jpg|alt=A severely damaged brick and concrete tower, pierced with numerous shell holes|thumb|247x247px|Symbol of [[Vukovar]]; [[Croatian War of Independence]] ]]
* [[November 4]] – [[November 5|5]] – End of Apartheid: The [[African National Congress]] leads a [[general strike]], demanding representation in [[Government of South Africa|the government]] and an end to the [[value-added tax]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wren|first=Christopher S.|date=November 5, 1991|title=Strike by Blacks Paralyzes South Africa|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/05/world/strike-by-blacks-paralyzes-south-africa.html|access-date=April 3, 2023|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=April 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403204819/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/05/world/strike-by-blacks-paralyzes-south-africa.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 5]]
** [[Tropical Storm Thelma]] causes flash floods in the [[Philippines|Philippine]] city of [[Ormoc]], killing more than 4,900 people.<ref>{{cite web|first=Monte L.|last=Peterson|publisher=United States Army Corps of Engineers|date=July 1992|access-date=November 6, 2022|title=Reconnaissance Report: Flooding Resulting From Typhoon Uring in Ormoc City, Leyte Province, The Philippines|url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a269264.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015071309/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a269264.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 15, 2014|pages=1–49}}</ref>
** [[China]] and [[Vietnam]] restore [[China–Vietnam relations|diplomatic relations]] after a 13-year rift which followed the [[Sino-Vietnamese War|1979 Sino-Vietnamese War]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wilhelm|first=Kathy|date=November 6, 1991|title=China and Vietnam Normalize Relations|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/11/06/china-and-vietnam-normalize-relations/8b90e568-cb51-44a3-9a84-90a515e29129/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125093247/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/11/06/china-and-vietnam-normalize-relations/8b90e568-cb51-44a3-9a84-90a515e29129/|archive-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Holley|first=David|date=November 6, 1991|title=China and Vietnam Normalize Relations|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-06-mn-954-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=October 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015202014/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-06-mn-954-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 6]] – The [[Communist Party of the Soviet Union|CPSU]] and its republic-level division, the [[Communist Party of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Communist Party of the Russian SFSR]], are banned in the [[Russian SFSR]] by [[Ukase|presidential decree]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 1, 2015|title=Communist Party Banned|url=http://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/the-august-coup/the-august-coup-texts/communist-party-banned/|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Seventeen Moments in Soviet History|archive-date=August 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824205800/https://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/the-august-coup/the-august-coup-texts/communist-party-banned/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Yeltsin bans Communist Party|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/11/06/Yeltsin-bans-Communist-Party/1265689403600/|access-date=2021-06-12|work=United Press International|archive-date=June 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619153931/https://www.upi.com/Archives/1991/11/06/Yeltsin-bans-Communist-Party/1265689403600/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 7]] – The first report on [[carbon nanotube]]s is published by [[Sumio Iijima]] in ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]''.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Iijima|first=Sumio|date=November 1991|title=Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon|url=https://www.nature.com/articles/354056a0|journal=Nature|volume=354|issue=6348|pages=56–58|doi=10.1038/354056a0|bibcode=1991Natur.354...56I|s2cid=4302490|issn=1476-4687|access-date=2021-06-12|archive-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713091406/http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v354/n6348/abs/354056a0.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Discovery of Carbon Nanotubes – Basle, 22.11.2007|url=https://www.balzan.org/en/prizewinners/sumio-iijima/the-discovery-of-carbon-nanotubes-iijima|access-date=2021-06-12|website=balzan.org|language=it-it|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728043938/https://www.balzan.org/en/prizewinners/sumio-iijima/the-discovery-of-carbon-nanotubes-iijima|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[November 9]] – The British [[Joint European Torus|JET]] fusion reactor generates 1.5 MW output power.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Happened on November 9, 1991|url=https://www.onthisday.com/date/1991/november/9|access-date=June 7, 2022|website=OnThisDay.com|date=November 9, 1991|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524033915/https://www.onthisday.com/date/1991/november/9|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 14]]
**[[American government|American]] and [[Government of the United Kingdom|British authorities]] announce indictments against two [[Libyan Intelligence Service|Libyan intelligence officials]] in connection with the downing of the [[Pan Am Flight 103]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=New Charges in Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing|url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/new-charges-in-pan-am-flight-103-bombing-122120|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Federal Bureau of Investigation|archive-date=June 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618053212/https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/new-charges-in-pan-am-flight-103-bombing-122120|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The Bombing of Pan Am Flight 103|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/panam103/timeline.htm|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-date=January 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111015103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/panam103/timeline.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ostrow|first1=Ronald J.|last2=Wright|first2=Robin|date=November 14, 1991|title=2 to Be Charged in Pan Am Bombing : Lockerbie disaster: The Libyans are expected to be indicted today for the 1988 attack on Flight 103 that killed 270. Both reportedly are intelligence operatives.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-14-mn-1854-story.html|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Los Angeles Times|archive-date=January 3, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103100110/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-11-14-mn-1854-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** [[House of Norodom|Cambodian Prince]] [[Norodom Sihanouk]] returns to [[Phnom Penh]] after 13 years of exile.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shenon|first=Philip|date=November 15, 1991|title=Joyous Sihanouk Returns to Cambodia From Exile|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/15/world/joyous-sihanouk-returns-to-cambodia-from-exile.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=December 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207193138/http://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/15/world/joyous-sihanouk-returns-to-cambodia-from-exile.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
** Lebanon Hostage Crisis: Kidnappers in [[Lebanon]] set [[Anglican Communion|Anglican Church]] envoys [[Terry Waite]] and [[Thomas Sutherland (academic)|Thomas Sutherland]] free.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Frankel|first=Glenn|date=November 19, 1991|title=Hostages Waite, Sutherland Freed in Lebanon|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/11/19/hostages-waite-sutherland-freed-in-lebanon/41cb30ca-e2af-4458-811f-0e82eafe267c/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125094052/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/11/19/hostages-waite-sutherland-freed-in-lebanon/41cb30ca-e2af-4458-811f-0e82eafe267c/|archive-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref>
* [[November 18]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The forces of the [[Yugoslav People's Army]] (JNA) and [[Serb paramilitaries]] take the [[Croatia]]n town of [[Vukovar]] after the 87-day [[Battle of Vukovar]]. They [[Vukovar massacre|kill more than 260 Croatian prisoners of war]].<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Institute for War and Peace Reporting|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,HRV,,513f0f672,0.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130416035603/http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,,,HRV,,513f0f672,0.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 16, 2013|title=Witness Seized 'Last Chance' to Escape Vukovar Massacre|date=March 8, 2013|access-date=April 1, 2013}}</ref>
* [[November 20]] – An [[Azerbaijan]]i [[Mil Mi-8]] helicopter carrying a 19-member peacekeeping mission team is [[1991 Azerbaijani Mil Mi-8 shootdown|shot down]] by [[Armenian military|Armenian military forces]] in [[Khojavend District]], Azerbaijan.<ref name="Kommersant">{{cite news|first=Roman|last=Glebov|date=November 25, 1991|title=Республики. В Азербайджане сбит вертолет с VIP на борту|language=ru|trans-title=Republics. A helicopter with VIP on board has been shot down in Azerbaijan.|publisher=[[Kommersant]]|url=http://www.kommersant.ru/doc-rss.aspx?DocsID=1595|access-date=April 14, 2010|archive-date=July 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726121720/http://www.kommersant.ru/doc-rss.aspx?DocsID=1595|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Az">{{cite web|date=November 21, 2008|title=Azerbaijan Association. 17 year passes since "Mi-8" military helicopter was shot in Garakand sky – complete list of the perished people|url=http://www.azerbaijanfoundation.az/eng/factsarts/210-17-year-passes-since-mi-8-military.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706130732/http://www.azerbaijanfoundation.az/eng/factsarts/210-17-year-passes-since-mi-8-military.html|archive-date=July 6, 2011|access-date=April 14, 2010}}</ref>
* [[November 21]] – The [[1991 United Nations Secretary-General selection|UN Security Council recommends]] [[Prime Minister of Egypt|Egypt's deputy prime minister]] [[Boutros Boutros-Ghali]] to be the next [[Secretary-General of the United Nations|Secretary-General of the UN]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 4, 2016|title=Boutros Boutros-Ghali|url=https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/boutros-boutros-ghali|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=United Nations Secretary-General|archive-date=July 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713103858/https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/boutros-boutros-ghali|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 23]] – Members of the [[Communist Party of Great Britain]] vote to dissolve the party and found the think-tank [[Democratic Left (UK)|Democratic Left]] in its place.<ref>{{Cite web|title=CPGB: History of the Communist Party of Great Britain|url=https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/sections/britain/history.htm|access-date=2021-06-12|website=marxists.org|archive-date=August 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210812173414/https://www.marxists.org/history/international/comintern/sections/britain/history.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 24]] – [[Queen (band)|Queen]] lead singer [[Freddie Mercury]] [[Death of Freddie Mercury|dies]] in [[London]] from [[AIDS]] induced pneumonia. In an unrelated incident, [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] drummer [[Eric Carr]] dies from [[heart cancer]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 25, 1991|title=Queen star dies after Aids statement|url=http://www.theguardian.com/uk/1991/nov/25/paulmyers|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=The Guardian|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308220238/https://www.theguardian.com/uk/1991/nov/25/paulmyers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=November 26, 1991|title=Eric Carr, 41, Is Dead; Rock Band's Drummer|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/26/obituaries/eric-carr-41-is-dead-rock-band-s-drummer.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622165741/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/11/26/obituaries/eric-carr-41-is-dead-rock-band-s-drummer.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[November 26]] – The [[National Assembly (Azerbaijan)|National Assembly of Azerbaijan]] [[Law on Abolishment of Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast|abolishes]] the autonomous status of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]] and renames several cities to their [[Azerbaijani language|Azeri]] names.{{Citation needed|date=June 2021}}
**[[Michael Jackson]] releases [[Dangerous (Michael Jackson album)|''Dangerous'']], selling 5 million copies in the first week.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-12-14-Billboard-Page-0077.pdf#search=%22michael%20jackson%20dangerous%20album%20sales%22 |title=Michael Jackson |website=worldradiohistory.com |access-date=2025-03-16}}</ref>
* [[November 27]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: The [[United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] unanimously adopts a resolution opening the way to the establishment of [[United Nations Protection Force|peacekeeping operations]] in Yugoslavia.<ref>{{Cite web|title=UNPROFOR|url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/unprof_b.htm#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20became%20actively,to%20implement%20immediately%20a%20%22general|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=United Nations|archive-date=December 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207103951/https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/unprof_b.htm#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20became%20actively,to%20implement%20immediately%20a%20%22general|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== December ===
[[Image:RIAN archive 848095 Signing the Agreement to eliminate the USSR and establish the Commonwealth of Independent States.jpg|thumb|164x164px|[[December 8]]: The signing of the agreement effectively ending the Soviet regime's existence and the founding of the Commonwealth of Independent States.]]
* [[December 1]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Ukraine|Ukrainians]] vote overwhelmingly for [[Ukrainian Independence Day|independence from the Soviet Union]] in a [[1991 Ukrainian independence referendum|referendum]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 28, 2015|title=Ukrainian Independence Referendum|url=http://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/the-end-of-the-soviet-union/the-end-of-the-soviet-union-texts/ukrainian-independence-declaration/|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Seventeen Moments in Soviet History|archive-date=June 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628160706/http://soviethistory.msu.edu/1991-2/the-end-of-the-soviet-union/the-end-of-the-soviet-union-texts/ukrainian-independence-declaration/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Antonov|first=Nikola|date=August 25, 1991|title=Ukraine Declares Independence, Sets Referendum|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/08/25/ukraine-declares-independence-sets-referendum/ee9266e3-dd83-4568-b7e5-40715ca0c77a/|access-date=June 12, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125094324/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1991/08/25/ukraine-declares-independence-sets-referendum/ee9266e3-dd83-4568-b7e5-40715ca0c77a/|archive-date=November 25, 2024}}</ref>
* [[December 4]]
** Lebanon Hostage Crisis: Journalist [[Terry A. Anderson]] is released after seven years of captivity as a hostage in [[Beirut]] – the last and longest-held American hostage in [[Lebanon]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hedges|first=Chris|date=December 5, 1991|title=The Last U.S. Hostage; Anderson, Last U.S. Hostage, Is Freed By Captors In Beirut|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/05/world/the-last-us-hostage-anderson-last-us-hostage-is-freed-by-captors-in-beirut.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=This Day in History: Journalist Terry Anderson Abducted in Beirut|url=https://www.voanews.com/usa/day-history-journalist-terry-anderson-abducted-beirut|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114103209/https://www.voanews.com/usa/day-history-journalist-terry-anderson-abducted-beirut|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 14, 2019|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=Voice of America}}</ref>
**[[John Leonard Orr]], one of the most prolific serial arsonists of the 20th century, is arrested in [[California]].<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=December 20, 1991|title=Arson Investigator-Novelist Is Charged With Setting Fires|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/20/us/arson-investigator-novelist-is-charged-with-setting-fires.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
**[[Pan Am]] is officially dissolved 64 years of operation
* [[December 8]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: In the [[Białowieża Forest]] Nature Reserve in Belarus, the leaders of [[Russia]], [[Belarus]], and [[Ukraine]] sign [[Belovezha Accords|an agreement]] officially ending the [[Soviet Union]] and establishing the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) in its place.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Belavezha Accords signed|url=https://www.prlib.ru/en/history/619792|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Presidential Library}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Belovezha Accords and Beyond: Delineating the Russian State. {{!}} National Technical Reports Library – NTIS|url=https://ntrl.ntis.gov/NTRL/dashboard/searchResults/titleDetail/PB2003101228.xhtml|access-date=2021-06-12|website=ntrl.ntis.gov}}</ref>
* [[December 11]] – Dissolution of Yugoslavia: [[Croatia]]n forces [[Paulin Dvor massacre|kill 18 Serbs and one Hungarian]] in the village of [[Paulin Dvor]], Croatia.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 4, 2010|title=Serb leader Tadic apologises for 1991 Vukovar massacre|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11689153|access-date=June 12, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101201624/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-11689153}}</ref>
* [[December 12]] 
** The government of [[Nigeria]] moves the capital from [[Lagos]] to [[Abuja]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Braimah|first=Ayodale|date=August 11, 2014|title=Abuja, Nigeria (1991– ) •|url=https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/abuja-nigeria-1991/|access-date=2021-06-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=March 14, 2015|title=Eight countries that moved their capitals|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-31877909|access-date=June 12, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=June 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601185603/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-31877909}}</ref>
**[[Ukraine]] becomes the first [[Post-Soviet states|post-Soviet republic]] to [[LGBT rights by country or territory|decriminalize homosexuality]].<ref name="ILGA 2008">{{cite web|last=Ottosson|first=Daniel|date=May 2008|title=State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults|url=http://www.ilga.org/statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2008.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306021141/http://www.ilga.org/statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2008.pdf|archive-date=March 6, 2009|access-date=May 5, 2009|publisher=International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA)|page=45}}</ref>
* [[December 15]] – The [[Egypt]]ian ferry {{ship|MV|Salem Express||2}} sinks in the [[Red Sea]], killing more than 450 people.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Survivors of Ferry Disaster in Red Sea Tell of Terror at Sea|url=https://apnews.com/article/5de9fc002bf566c54c73968db68bd98b|access-date=2021-06-12|work=Associated Press News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103042233/https://apnews.com/article/5de9fc002bf566c54c73968db68bd98b|archive-date=January 3, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=December 18, 1991|title=Divers Recover Bodies of Captain And Others From Egyptian Ferry|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/18/world/divers-recover-bodies-of-captain-and-others-from-egyptian-ferry.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
* [[December 16]] – The [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]] adopts [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 46/86|UN General Assembly Resolution 46/86]], repealing a [[United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379|previous resolution]] adopted in 1975 which had ruled that [[Zionism]] is a form of [[racism]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=General Assembly Resolution 46/86, Revocation of Resolution 3379|date=December 16, 1991|url=https://mfa.gov.il/mfa/foreignpolicy/mfadocuments/yearbook8/pages/260%20general%20assembly%20resolution%2046-86-%20revocation.aspx|access-date=June 17, 2021|website=mfa.gov.il}}</ref>
* [[December 19]]
**[[Paul Keating]] defeats [[Bob Hawke]] in a [[Australian Labor Party|Labor Party]] [[December 1991 Australian Labor Party leadership spill|leadership ballot]] and consequently becomes the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]; he is sworn in the following day.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-19/o27reilly-recollections-hawke-keating-challenges/3738542|title=Hawke and Keating: a masterclass in political killing|date=December 19, 2011|publisher=ABC News|location=Australia|last1=West|first1=William}}</ref>
** [[Skarnsund Bridge]] opens in Norway, becoming the world's longest [[cable-stayed bridge]] for two years with a span of {{convert|530|m|ft|0}}.<ref>{{Cite thesis|title=Discrete optimum design of cable-stayed bridges|url=https://estudogeral.sib.uc.pt/handle/10316/97110|publisher=00500::Universidade de Coimbra|date=July 2015|degree=masterThesis|first=Andrea|last=Đerek}}</ref>
* [[December 21]] – The [[North Atlantic Cooperation Council]] (NAC-C) meets for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=NATO Update – Summary 1991|url=https://www.nato.int/docu/update/1991/summarye.htm|access-date=July 24, 2020|website=nato.int}}</ref>
* [[December 22]] – Armed opposition groups launch a [[1991–92 Georgian coup d'état|military coup]] against [[President of Georgia]] [[Zviad Gamsakhurdia]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Tbilisi War: Then And Now|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-civil-war-slider-gallery-then-now/31617821.html|access-date=November 9, 2022|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}</ref>
* [[December 24]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Russian SFSR]] [[President of Russia|President]] [[Boris Yeltsin]] sends a letter to [[UN Secretary-General]] [[Javier Pérez de Cuéllar]], declaring that [[Russia]] will be the succeeding country to the collapsing Soviet Union in the [[United Nations]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Where can I find the letters of 24 December 1991 regarding the continuation of the membership of the USSR by the Russian Federation? – Ask DAG!|url=https://ask.un.org/faq/378083|access-date=November 9, 2022|publisher=United Nations|archive-date=November 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221109183532/https://ask.un.org/faq/378083|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[December 25]]
** Dissolution of the Soviet Union: [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] resigns as [[president of the Soviet Union]], from which most republics have already seceded, anticipating the dissolving of the [[History of the Soviet Union|69-year-old state]].<ref>{{Cite news|date=December 13, 2016|title=Mikhail Gorbachev: The man who lost an empire|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38289333|access-date=June 12, 2021|url-status=live|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213142323/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38289333}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mikhail Gorbachev {{!}} Biography, Facts, Cold War, & Significance|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Mikhail-Gorbachev|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref>
** The [[Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic|Russian SFSR]] officially renames itself the ''[[Russia|Russian Federation]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Russia – The World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/russia/|access-date=2021-06-12|publisher=Central Intelligence Agency}}</ref>
* [[December 26]] – Dissolution of the Soviet Union: The [[Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union|Supreme Soviet]] meets for the last time, formally dissolves the [[Soviet Union]], and adjourns ''[[Adjournment sine die|sine die]]'', ending the [[Cold War]]. All remaining Soviet institutions eventually cease operation on [[December 31]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=collapse of the Soviet Union {{!}} Causes, Facts, Events, & Effects|url=https://www.britannica.com/event/the-collapse-of-the-Soviet-Union|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Encyclopædia Britannica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=December 26, 1991|title=End of the Soviet Union; Gorbachev's Six Tumultuous Years at Soviet Helm|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/12/26/world/end-of-the-soviet-union-gorbachev-s-six-tumultuous-years-at-soviet-helm.html|access-date=2021-06-12|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

== Births and deaths ==
{{Main|:Category:1991 births|Deaths in 1991}}

==Nobel Prizes==
[[File:Nobel medal.png|right|120px]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Chemistry|Chemistry]] – [[Richard R. Ernst]]
* [[Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences|Economics]] – [[Ronald Coase]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Literature|Literature]] – [[Nadine Gordimer]]
* [[Nobel Peace Prize|Peace]] – [[Aung San Suu Kyi]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physics|Physics]] – [[Pierre-Gilles de Gennes]]
* [[Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine|Physiology or Medicine]] – [[Erwin Neher]], [[Bert Sakmann]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Portal|1990s}}
{{Events by month links}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1991}}
[[Category:1991| ]]