Bombing of Pam Am Flight 103
Thatcher distances herself from US vows to punish whoever bombed Pam Am Flight 103, saying in a TV interview that revenge "can affect innocent people"
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1989 in Great Britain
Explore 200 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1989.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1989
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 200 unique records.
200Unique records
1 of 5Page
31Named events on this page
17Named people on this page
9Places on this page
January
Thatcher distances herself from US vows to punish whoever bombed Pam Am
Thatcher distances herself from US vows to punish whoever bombed Pam Am Flight 103, saying in a TV interview that revenge "can affect innocent people"
The Satanic Verses
Muslims in Bradford burn a copy of, "The Satanic Verses"
The Satanic Verses
Muslims in Bradford burn a copy of, "The Satanic Verses"
Dismissal
Relegated after just one season back among the elite, Ball is sacked in for failing to mount a serious promotion challenge after having a serious personality clash with Portmsouths then chairman Jim Gregory
February
Fatwah
Ayatollah Khomeni pronounces a death sentence for blasphemy in "The Satanic Verses"
The Satanic Verses
Publication of "The Satanic Verses"
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Britain
Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Britain
The Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the death of Salman Rushdie. Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain
Fatwah
The Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the death of Salman Rushdie
April
Reform of Taxation
The Poll tax is introduced in Scotland
Crisis
Leon Brittan reveals PMs Private Secretary & Press Officer leaked the Westland letter
Crisis
Leon Brittan reveals PMs Private Secretary & Press Officer leaked the Westland letter
Labour Scheme
Abolition of the National Dock Labour Scheme announced
Hillsborough Disaster
Leads Liverpool through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.
Headless Cross
Sings on Headless Cross, strengthening the late-1980s Black Sabbath line-up.
May
Anniversary
Celebrates 10 yrs as Prime Minister
Election
Labour win the Vale of Glamorgan by-election
Tin Machine
Releases the first Tin Machine album, presenting himself as part of a hard rock band rather than a solo star.
1989 League Championship Manager
Guides Arsenal to the league championship after the dramatic final-match victory at Liverpool.
Anfield Championship Winning Goal
Scores in stoppage time at Anfield to give Arsenal the league championship on goals scored.
Anfield Title-Decider Opening Goal
Heads Arsenal's opening goal at Anfield as the club chase the two-goal victory needed for the league title.
Death of Donald George Don Revie
Death of Donald George "Don"Revie
Adviser
His second period as full-time Downing Street adviser, lasting just five months, from May to October 1989, proved so contentious that it hastened the resignation of the Chancellor, Nigel Lawson. Appointed Economic Adviser to Maragaret Thatcher
Economy of Great Britain
His second period as full-time Downing Street adviser, lasting just five months, from May to October 1989, proved so contentious that it hastened the resignation of the Chancellor, Nigel Lawson
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Economic Adviser to Maragaret Thatcher
June
Flowers in the Dirt
Paul McCartney releases "Flowers in the Dirt"
Conference of Madrid
Britain agrees to enter the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) when the 3 convergence conditions are met
Economy of Great Britain
Britain agrees to enter the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) when the 3 convergence conditions are met
Conference of Madrid
At the Madrid European Council in June 1989, Howe supports eventual British entry into the ERM, but the United Kingdom does not join until October 1990.
Conference of Madrid
At the Madrid European Council in June 1989, debate continues within the British Government over the conditions for eventual ERM membership; the United Kingdom does not join the mechanism until October 1990.
Conference of Madrid
Lawson & Howe force Thatcher into joining the ERM
July
Hong Kong Confidence Mission
Begins a visit to Hong Kong after the Tiananmen Square crackdown to assess confidence and discuss the territory's political future.
Immigration
During a visit to Hong Kong, Howe states that Hong Kong residents do not have an automatic general right of abode in the United Kingdom.
Hong Kong Consultations
Completes extensive consultations in Hong Kong with Executive and Legislative Council members, professionals, entrepreneurs, students and other residents.
Hong Kong Commons Statement
Reports to the House of Commons on his Hong Kong visit and says the events in Beijing have seriously damaged confidence in China's intentions toward the territory.
Death of Laurence Olivier
Death of Laurence Olivier
European Political Cooperation Meeting
Attends a European political cooperation meeting in Paris discussing the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, the Middle East, southern Africa, Cambodia and China.
This One
Paul McCartney releases "This One"
Reform of Government
The Government proposes to legalize the legal profession
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.