“The Simpsons” debuts
Since its debut, 640 episodes of The Simpsons have been broadcast. It is the longest-running American sitcom, and the longest-running American scripted primetime television series in terms of seasons and number of episodes.
Post-modernity (1945 - 2016 C.E.)
The Velvet Revolution leads to the end of Communist Party rule in Czechoslovakia
The Velvet Revolution or Gentle Revolution was a non-violent transition of power in what was then Czechoslovakia, occurring from 17 November to 29 December 1989. The result was the end of 41 years of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia.
Stephen Hawking publishes A Brief History of Time
In A Brief History of Time, Hawking writes in non-technical terms about the structure, origin, development and eventual fate of the universe, which is the object of study of astronomy and modern physics.
The June Democracy Movement emerges in South Korea
The June Democracy Movement was a nationwide democracy movement in South Korea that forced the ruling government to hold elections and institute other democratic reforms.
46 countries sign the Montreal Protocol in historic move to restore the ozone layer
The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 16 September 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989. The ozone treaty has since been ratified by 198 parties, making it the first universally ratified treaty in United Nations history.
The Fraunhofer Institut Integrierte Schaltungen in Germany begins research leading to invention of the MP3
By using MPEG audio coding, MP3s shrink down the original sound data from a CD by a factor of 12, without losing sound quality.
New Zealand passes groundbreaking law establishing it as a nuclear and biological weapon-free zone
The significance of the Act lies in its affirmation that New Zealand exists as an independent and proud democracy concerned about the future of the planet.
USSR launches Mir Space Station
Mir was the first modular space station and was assembled in orbit from 1986 to 1996. It had a greater mass than any previous spacecraft.
Micronesia signs a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. marking its emergence from trusteeship to independence
The Compact of Free Association is an international agreement establishing and governing the relationships of free association between the United States and the three Pacific Island nations.
Eduardo Galeano completes Memoria Del Fuego trilogy
The Uruguayan author’s famous work has been described as “the most powerful literary indictment of colonialism in the Americas.”