1989: End of a Decade

There are momentous years and there are momentous years. By any metric, 1989 rates very highly in this regard; it’s choc full of significant events. Of prime import was the fall of the Berlin Wall. This event was caused by and symbolic of a remarkable shift in the global political landscape.

But it was more than the dismantlement of a physical barrier; it represented an ideological victory for democracy over decades of communist rule in Eastern Europe. This was facilitated in large part by the policies and actions of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

Glimmerings of what might happen were seen in the early 1980s with the birth of Poland’s Solidarity (Solidarność). Of course, this was in the dark, later days of Leonid Brezhnev’s leadership of the Soviet Union and by extension the dictation of the response to any such dissent in the whole of Eastern Europe. However, Solidarity was not closed down, it merely went underground.

It took the elevation of Gorbachev as General Secretary to enable Solidarity’s re-emergence. Polish elections were allowed in 1989 which saw Solidarity make sweeping gains against the Polish Communist Party. Very soon movements in various countries started to challenge the status quo.

In the Spring, Hungary switched off the electricity to the fence along its border with Austria. Soon, border guards began to take down sections of the fence. In no time, officials of the Hungarian and Austrian governments held a symbolic fence-cutting ceremony.

The drive for freedom spread like wildfire. Soon, as well as Hungarians crossing into Austria to buy Western consumer goods, East Germans were passing through on their way to West Germany and freedom. The end was nigh as protests throughout the region tested the resilience of communist regimes, with citizens demanding their rights to free speech and open elections.

On 9 November, the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Germany for 28 years, came down. This historic moment was broadcast around the world, encapsulating the triumph of the human spirit. Emotions ran high as Germans from both sides shared tears and embraces, tearing pieces from the wall as souvenirs and as symbols of their newly regained freedom.

The wall’s fall set off a chain reaction, culminating not only in German reunification but also in the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union. Along the way, in nine December days that year, Romanians saw to the overthrow and execution of their Communist dictator Nicolai Ceausescu. The world watched in awe as a new chapter began for Eastern Europeans who were eager to transition to a more democratic and open society.

While the fall of the Berlin Wall was a monumental victory for democracy in Europe, the year also saw a stark contrast in how quests for freedom were treated elsewhere. This was evident in the chilling response to the pro-democracy protests in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, presenting a sobering reminder of the divergent paths that nations can take in the face of citizens crying out for change.

The Contrast of Freedom: Tiananmen Square & Beyond

In the Spring of 1989, thousands of students gathered in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, inspired by an international tide of democratic sentiment. Demonstrators, advocating for freedom of speech and government accountability, occupied the square. They demanded reform and an end to government corruption, embodying hope for a democratic China.

Unfortunately, outside of the influence of the Soviet Union, the Chinese government’s response to these peaceful protests was brutal and swift. Overnight between 3 and 4 June, the People’s Liberation Army was ordered to clear the square, which led to a brutal crackdown. Armed troops and tanks advanced on the unarmed crowds, resulting in an unknown number of casualties, with estimates ranging from several hundred to thousands of lives lost.

The international community reacted with horror and immediate condemnation, as iconic images, such as that of a sole protestor standing before a line of tanks, underscored the gravity of the situation. Sanctions and arms embargos were promptly levied against China by various countries; however, China’s government remained steadfast in its stance, suppressing dissent and controlling the narrative domestically.

While Eastern Europe celebrated the blossoming of freedoms and the dismantling of the Iron Curtain, Tiananmen Square illustrated a stark contrast. Here, the quest for democratic reforms was met with a resolute iron fist, shaping China’s political landscape for decades to come and sending a clear message that not all fights for freedom in 1989 would end in victory.

A Tumultuous Global Stage: Leaders Step Down and Disasters Strike

1989 was so much more than a turning point for international politics; it was a year marked by power shifts and unexpected crises. As the tendrils of history were stretching across Europe, and democracy snuffed out in China, there were similar processes of change and challenge happening worldwide.

Finally, after years of the anti-Apartheid movement, change began to look possible in South Africa. Two catalysts in particular drove that change. A central pillar of the strategy of the movement was the discouragement of investment in South Africa, and this was beginning to bite. This allowed reformers and pragmatists to aspire to positions of influence within the South African government.

One such reformer/pragmatist was FW de Klerk who won the role of South African President when PW Botha resigned. Botha’s influence had been lessened considerably by decisions taken by Reagan and Gorbachev regarding conflicts in Angola and Namibia in within which South Africa was involved.

A seemingly domestic, National Party, event set into motion movements toward dismantling an era of almost absolute racial segregation and marked a key milestone on the road to Nelson Mandela’s release and the nation’s democratic evolution.

Environmental disaster struck in Alaska, when the tanker Exxon Valdez struck a reef, leaking millions of gallons of oil into the state’s Prince William Sound. The repercussions were far-reaching, both for the precious ecosystems it ravaged and the policies that emerged in response – a sombre reminder of humanity’s impact on nature.

Further down the Pacific coast, The San Francisco Bay Area was shaken by the Loma Prieta earthquake in October. This led to loss of life, and significant structural damages and called attention to the necessity for improved earthquake preparedness and stricter building codes.

In Panama, American troops landed in a controversial invasion aimed at deposing Manuel Noriega. This action raised heated debates on sovereignty and the ethics of military intervention, leaving a complex legacy.

Meanwhile, in Japan, the death of Emperor Hirohito marked the end of the Showa era. His passing prompted reflection on Japan’s role in World War II, and the nation’s post-war transformation under his reign.

In Latin America, Chile waved goodbye to military rule. The departure of General Augusto Pinochet and the ushering in of democratic elections was a significant victory for human rights and the will of the people. After 17 years of authoritarian military dictatorship, Pinochet faced mounting international pressure and internal dissent.

1988’s referendum had seen Chileans vote against extending Pinochet’s presidency, paving the way for a return to democracy. The transition was not without challenges, as negotiations between the military and opposition leaders led to a carefully managed process that ultimately culminated in presidential elections in 1989.

Patricio Aylwin, a civilian candidate, was elected on 14 December 1989. He became Chile’s first democratically elected president since the dictator’s coup in 1973. The end of Pinochet’s rule marked the beginning of a new era which was characterised by political pluralism. Civil liberties were restored, backed by a refreshing commitment to human rights – all of which helped to smooth Chile’s path toward a more inclusive and democratic society.

Cultural Shifts and Catastrophes: Iran’s Edict and Britain’s Tragedy

1989 wasn’t just a year marked by shifting geopolitical landscapes; it reverberated with the shockwaves of actions that impacted cultures and communities. In a profound assertion of religious authority over global politics, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, issued a death sentence against Salman Rushdie for his novel, The Satanic Verses. This was not a declaration taken lightly; it sparked a fierce debate on the limits of freedom of speech, the reach of religious authority, and the protection of artists.

As governments and international bodies grappled with the implications of this fatwa, it underscored the risks artists face when their work challenges deeply held beliefs. The world saw the stakes of cultural expression were indeed life and death, and this moment still informs conversations on censorship and artistic freedom.

On a different front, Britain faced another football tragedy. It would ultimately have a profound change to the cultural approach to public safety and crowd management. The Hillsborough disaster took the lives of 97 individuals and injured hundreds, becoming the worst disaster in British sporting history. The immense grief was compounded, not only by the realization that this tragedy was preventable, but also by the police cover-up of events and attempts to shift blame onto the supporters.

One legacy of this heartbreak has been substantial changes in stadium design and safety regulations, holding authority figures more accountable for the public’s welfare. In 1989, the world didn’t just witness the unfolding of political narratives; it felt the stinging pain of lost lives and the enduring consequences of oversight. In commemorating these events, we’re reminded of the profound ways in which a single year can shape the discourse and evolution of our collective safety, culture, and values.

Deaths

January

6 January – Sir Edmund Leach, British anthropologist (b. 1910)

7 January – Frank Adams, British mathematician (b. 1930)

7 January – Hirohito, 87, Emperor of Japan (posthumous name Shōwa), cancer.

11 January – José Bustamante y Rivero, Peruvian politician, diplomat and jurist, 33rd President of Peru (b. 1894)

18 January – Bruce Chatwin, British author (b. 1940)

19 January – Norma Varden, English actress (b. 1898)

20 January – Józef Cyrankiewicz, Polish communist politician, 2-time Prime Minister of Poland and 15th President of Poland (b. 1911)

23 January – Salvador Dalí, Spanish artist (b. 1904)

24 January – Ted Bundy, American serial killer (b. 1946)

27 January – Sir Thomas Sopwith, British aviation pioneer and yachtsman (b. 1888)

February

3 February – John Cassavetes, American actor (b. 1929)

12 February – Pat Finucane, Irish lawyer killed by Loyalist paramilitaries (b. 1949)

14 February – James Bond, American ornithologist. Famously, Ian Fleming looked up at his bookshelf, seeking inspiration for the name of his new spy character. Bond’s book, Birds of the West Indies, caught his eye (b. 1900)

14 February – Vincent Crane, British musician (b. 1943)

March

6 March – Harry Andrews, British actor (b. 1911)

9 March – Robert Mapplethorpe, American activist, artist and photographer (b. 1946)

29 March – Aleksandr Prokopenko, Soviet footballer (b. 1953)

April

1 April – George Robledo, Chilean soccer player. Played for Newcastle United, scoring the only goal in the 1952 FA Cup final versus Arsenal (b. 1926)

12 April – Sugar Ray Robinson, American professional boxer (b. 1921)

19 April – Dame Daphne du Maurier, British writer. Famous for novels such as Rebecca, Frenchman’s Creek, Jamaica Inn and The Birds (b. 1907)

26 April – Lucille Ball, American actress, comedian and entertainer (b. 1911)

30 April – Sergio Leone, Italian film director. Pioneer of the spaghetti Western genre of film. The most famous of which is The Good, The Bad and The Ugly starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee van Cleef (b. 1929)

May

9 May – Keith Whitley, American country music singer (b. 1955)

10 May – Woody Shaw, American jazz trumpeter (b. 1944)

19 May – Anton Diffring, German actor (b. 1916)

19 May – Robert Webber, American actor (b. 1924)

20 May – Gilda Radner, American comedian and actress (b. 1946)

26 May – Don Revie, English footballer and manager. Famous for managing Leeds United before getting the England manager’s job. He left this job under controversial circumstances to manage the United Arab Emirates (b. 1927)

June

3 June – Ruhollah Khomeini, Iranian philosopher, politician, revolutionary and Shia Muslim religious leader, 1st Supreme Leader of Iran (b. 1902)

4 June – Dik Browne, American cartoonist (b. 1917)

14 June – Pete de Freitas, English musician and producer. Famously, de Freitas was the drummer of Echo & The Bunnymen (b. 1961)

15 June – Ray McAnally, Irish actor (b. 1926)[12]

23 June – Werner Best, German Nazi official, jurist, police chief and SS-Obergruppenführer leader (b. 1903)[16]

July

2 July – Andrei Gromyko, Soviet politician and diplomat (b. 1909)

10 July – Mel Blanc, 81, American voice actor and radio personality, emphysema. He was the voice of Bugs Bunny and many other Looney Tunes characters (b. 1908)

11 July – Laurence Olivier, English actor and director, renal failure. Famous for films such as Wuthering Heights (1939), Rebecca (1940) and a trilogy of Shakespeare films as actor/director: Henry V (1944), Hamlet (1948) and Richard III (1955). He played the epically deranged Nazi dentist Dr Christian Szell alongside Dustin Hoffman and Ron Scheider in 1976’s Marathon Man. (b. 1907).

12 July – Prince Wolfgang of Hesse (b. 1896)

15 July – Laurie Cunningham, English footballer. Starred for West Bromwich Albion, leading to a transfer to Real Madrid in 1979 (b. 1956)

16 July – Herbert von Karajan, Austrian conductor (b. 1908)

August

23 August – R. D. Laing, British psychiatrist (b. 1927)

29 August – Sir Peter Scott, British naturalist, artist and explorer (b. 1909)

September

4 September – Georges Simenon, Belgian writer. Famous for the detective series, Jules Maigret (b. 1903)

22 September – Irving Berlin, American composer (b. 1888)

28 September – Ferdinand Marcos, Filipino dictator, politician and statesman, 10th President of the Philippines (b. 1917)

30 September – Huỳnh Tấn Phát, Vietnamese politician, 16th Prime Minister of the Republic of Vietnam (b. 1913)

October

4 October – Graham Chapman, British comedian and member of Mony Python (b. 1941)

6 October – Bette Davis, American actress (b. 1908)

20 October – Sir Anthony Quayle, British actor (b. 1913)

22 October – Ewan MacColl, British folk singer, political activist and actor. Also, father of British pop star Kirsty (b. 1915)

November

29 November – Gubby Allen, English cricketer. Captained England in the 1936-37 Ahes series in Australia (b. 1902)

December

1 December – Alvin Ailey, American dancer and choreographer (b. 1931)

14 December – Andrei Sakharov, Soviet physicist and activist, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize (b. 1921)

16 December – Lee Van Cleef, American actor (b. 1925)

22 December – Samuel Beckett, Irish writer, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1906)

22 December – Vasile Milea, Romanian military officer and politician, minister of Defense (b. 1927)

23 December – Richard Rado, German-British mathematician (b. 1906)

25 December – Elena Ceaușescu, Romanian politician, Deputy Prime Minister of Romania. Summarily executed by firing squad (b. 1916)

25 December – Nicolae Ceaușescu, Romanian politician, dictator and Communist Party head, 1st President of Romania. Summarily executed by firing squad (b. 1918)