1 January 1989Bombing of Pam Am Flight 103Margaret Hilda Thatcher
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"
Historical records for Great Britain in 1989, rendered directly from the World History Database and ordered by month, day and event.
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"
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"
Muslims in Bradford burn a copy of, "The Satanic Verses"
Muslims in Bradford burn a copy of, "The Satanic Verses"
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
Ayatollah Khomeni pronounces a death sentence for blasphemy in "The Satanic Verses"
Publication of "The Satanic Verses"
Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain
The Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the death of Salman Rushdie. Iran breaks off diplomatic relations with Britain
The Ayatollah Khomeini calls for the death of Salman Rushdie
The Poll tax is introduced in Scotland
Leon Brittan reveals PMs Private Secretary & Press Officer leaked the Westland letter
Leon Brittan reveals PMs Private Secretary & Press Officer leaked the Westland letter
Abolition of the National Dock Labour Scheme announced
Leads Liverpool through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.
Sings on Headless Cross, strengthening the late-1980s Black Sabbath line-up.
Celebrates 10 yrs as Prime Minister
Labour win the Vale of Glamorgan by-election
Releases the first Tin Machine album, presenting himself as part of a hard rock band rather than a solo star.
Guides Arsenal to the league championship after the dramatic final-match victory at Liverpool.
Scores in stoppage time at Anfield to give Arsenal the league championship on goals scored.
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
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
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
Paul McCartney releases "Flowers in the Dirt"
Britain agrees to enter the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) when the 3 convergence conditions are met
Britain agrees to enter the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) when the 3 convergence conditions are met
Lawson & Howe force Thatcher into joining the ERM
Lawson & Howe force Thatcher into joining the ERM
Lawson & Howe force Thatcher into joining the ERM
Says Hong kong residents have no automatic right to live in the UK
Death of Laurence Olivier
Paul McCartney releases "This One"
The Government proposes to legalize the legal profession
The concert takes place on Potsdamer Platz, part of the former "no-mans land" of the Berlin Wall, and features many guest superstars: The Band, Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Van Morrison, Sin‚ad OConnor, The Scorpions, Marianne Faithfull, and Joni Mitchel
The concert takes place on Potsdamer Platz, part of the former "no-mans land" of the Berlin Wall, and features many guest superstars: The Band, Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Van Morrison, Sin‚ad OConnor, The Scorpions, Marianne Faithfull, and Joni Mitchel. After the Berlin Wall came down Waters stages The Wall Concert in Berlin to commemorate the end of the division between East and West Germany
Appointed Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Elected Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
John Major becomes Foreign Secretary. Howe becomes Lord President of the Council, Leader of the Commons & Deputy PM
Appointed Foreign Secretary
Appointed Leader of the House of Commons
Appointed Lord President of the Council
The PM supports Majors advice not to sell BA Hawks to Iraq
Opposes proposals for a single currency & a central bank for the EU
Opposes proposals for a single currency & a central bank for the EU
The Taylor Report, names the cause as failure of police control, and results in the conversion of many football stadiums in the United Kingdom to all-seater and the removal of barriers at the front of stands. Lord Justice Taylors interim report commissioned by the Government largely blames South Yorkshire police for the failure of control. An interim report is published in August 1989
Steven Gerrard loses his cousin Jon-Paul in the crush
The Taylor Report, names the cause as failure of police control, and results in the conversion of many football stadiums in the United Kingdom to all-seater and the removal of barriers at the front of stands
The coroner, Dr Stefan Popper, limits the main inquest to events up until 3:15pm on the day of the disaster - just nine minutes after the match was halted and the crowd began to spill onto the pitch
Thatcher visits Japan
Attends the United Nations General Assembly Conference
Interest rates rise to 15%
Interest rates rise to 15%
Britain and Argentina agree to restore consular relations.
Drafts Britains opposition to sanctions against South Africa
Drafts a statement outlining the British oppostion to sanctions against South Africa
Thatcher refuses to join Commonwealth sanctions against South Africa
Thatcher refuses to join Commonwealth sanctions against South Africa
Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer
Thatcher delivers her Commons statement on the Kuala Lumpur conference
Appointed Foreign Minister
Appointed Home Secretary
Resigns as personal Adviser to Maragaret Thatcher
Resigns as personal Adviser to Maragaret Thatcher
Resigns as Chancellor of the Exchequer
Thatcher informs Major in private that Lawson is going to resign
Lawson resigns as Chabcellor
Thatcher informs Major in private that Lawson is going to resign
Attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, opposes South African sanctions
The Commonwealth supports sanctions against South Africa, only Britain is opposed
Attends the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, opposes South African sanctions
The Commonwealth supports sanctions against South Africa, only Britain is opposed
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%
Major and Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%.
With UK inflation at three times the rate of Germany's, interest rates at 15% and the "Lawson Boom" about to bust, the conditions for joining the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) were not favourable at that time.
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%
Major and Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) effectively guaranteeing that the British Government would follow a policy preventing the pound and other member currencies from fluctuating by more than 6%.
With UK inflation at three times the rate of Germany's, interest rates at 15% and the "Lawson Boom" about to bust, the conditions for joining the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) were not favourable at that time.
With UK inflation at three times the rate of Germany's, interest rates at 15% and the "Lawson Boom" about to bust, the conditions for joining the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) were not favourable at that time
Opposes sanctions against South Africa
Releases the Storyteller anthology, summarising his first two decades of major recordings.
Announces intention to stand in the 2nd round of the Conservative Party leadership
Heseltine & Hurd stand down from the party leadership contest. 2nd round leadership ballot, Major wins 185 votes, Heseltine 131 & Hurd 56
Appointed Member of Shadow Cabinet, Shadow Employment Secretary
Thatcher defeats Meyer in the Conservative Party leadersip contest, 313 votes to 33
Defeats Anthony Meyer in the Conservative Party leadersip contest, 313 votes to 33
The Broadcasting Bill is published
The Commons votes to prosecute war criminals
Shares in the regional water companies begin trading following privatisation.
Announces 225,000 Hong kong citizens will be given British citizenship
Banks refuse to continue Government plans for student loans
The Government announces it will grant UK citizenship to 225,000 from Hong Kong
The ten regional water authorities are privatized raising 5 billion pounds
Forms Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe with former Yes colleagues.
Duran Durans 6th album, "Big Thing", is released
Dissaproves of Thatchers support of the US bombing of Libya
Nigel Lawson presents the 1989 Budget to the House of Commons as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
The 1989 Budget under Nigel Lawson sets out the Government's taxation, expenditure and borrowing plans.
Appointed Chief Secretary of the Treasury
Companies Act 1989 amends company law, audit, and financial reporting rules
Created Companion of Honour
Death of Alfred Jules Ayer
The FA does not send any officials to the funeral, nor wis a minutes silence held at the England v Scotland match at Hampden Park the following day, nor did the teams wear black armbands
There is a clash between Lawson and Alan Walters when the latter claims the ERM is "half baked", Lawson resigns and is replaced by John Major
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) guaranteeing that the the pound and other member currencies do not fluctuate by more than 6%
There is a clash between Lawson and Alan Walters when the latter claims the ERM is "half baked", Lawson resigns and is replaced by John Major
Alan Walers' 2nd period as Downing Street adviser lasts just from March to October 1989
Alan Walters' term as adviser leads to the resignation of the Chancellor, Nigel Lawson
Quotes from an article written before Walters' return to Downing St showed him to believe the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) "half-baked" and unsustainable, Lawson demanded Walters' dismissal, and failing to force Thatcher's hand, departed
Walters argued that Lawson's interest-rate rises were risking a UK recession, which later transpired
Appointed Member of European Commission for the UK
Elected to Parliament in a byelection as member for Richmond, North Yorkshire
Electricity Act 1989 restructures and privatises the electricity industry
Matters come to a head in a clash between Lawson and Thatchers economic adviser Alan Walters, when Walters claims that the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) is "half baked", Lawson resigns as Chancellor to be replaced by John Major
Lawson & Walters' clash over the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) leads to Lawson's resignation & Major's appointment as Chancellor
Major & Hurd convince the Cabinet to sign Britain up to the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) guaranteeing that the the pound and other member currencies do not fluctuate by more than 6%
Matters come to a head in a clash between Lawson and Thatchers economic adviser Alan Walters, when Walters claims that the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) is "half baked", Lawson resigns as Chancellor to be replaced by John Major
Quotes from an article written before Walters' return to Downing St showed him to believe the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) "half-baked" and unsustainable, Lawson demanded Walters' dismissal, and failing to force Thatcher's hand, departed
FWA Footballer of the Year
Gabriel released "Passion", the soundtrack for Martin Scorseses movie "The Last Temptation of Christ", for this work Gabriel receives his first Grammy Award, in the category of Best New Age Performance
A White Paper proposes an internal market of self-governing NHS trusts
Directs and stars in Henry V, bringing Shakespeare's history play to the cinema.
Stars in, "Henry V"
Brown develops Labour policy on industry, competition and regional economic development.
Blackwell stays on as CEO of PolyGrams Island Entertainment division. Blackwell sells the label to PolyGram, Island was the largest indie record label in history. Blackwell sells Island Records and Island Music to PolyGram UK Group for œ272 million
Releases the album, Journeyman, with songs in a wide range of styles from blues to jazz, soul and pop and collaborators including George Harrison, Phil Collins, Daryl Hall, Chaka Khan, Mick Jones & David Sanborn
Created Khight
Clough and Forest defeat Luton Town FC to win the League Cup for a 3rd time
Appointed Manager of Stoke City
Elected to Parliament in a byelection as member for Richmond, North Yorkshire
Awarded the OBE
Trueman is awarded the OBE for charity work
Official Secrets Act 1989 replaces parts of earlier secrecy law with specific disclosure offences
Releases the studio album One Night of Sin.
Gabriel released "Passion", the soundtrack for Martin Scorseses movie "The Last Temptation of Christ", for this work Gabriel receives his first Grammy Award, in the category of Best New Age Performance
Mick Jagger releases a solo album, "Primitive Cool"
10 regional water companies are "floated on the stock exchange in November
It is decided to keep Magnox power stations under Government control
The Regional Water Companies are sold for 5,110 million pounds
Publishes Enoch Powell on 1992, returning to the constitutional implications of deeper European integration.
Releases his first solo release, Violent Opposition, on which members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform
A White Paper proposes an internal market of self-governing NHS trusts
Matters come to a head in a clash between Lawson and Thatchers economic adviser Alan Walters, when Walters claims that the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) is "half baked", Lawson resigns as Chancellor to be replaced by John Major
Retires from the Government, allegedly over choice of advertising agencies
John Major meets Qian Qichen to discuss the handover of Hong Kong to China
Appointed Minister of Agriculture & Food
Appointed Secretary of the Environment
Appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Health & Social Security
Brown becomes Labour's Shadow Trade and Industry Secretary.
Simple Minds release "Street Fighting Years", UK no 1 Album
Simple Minds release "Street Fighting Years", UK no 1 Album
Weller disbands The Style Council and disappears from the public eye for a couple of years
Publication of "The Chymical Wedding"
Gabriel released "Passion", the soundtrack for Martin Scorseses movie "The Last Temptation of Christ", for this work Gabriel receives his first Grammy Award, in the category of Best New Age Performance
Appears in The Tall Guy
Healey publishes "The Time of my Life".
Founder Member of Tin Machine
Reunite for a Tommy anniversary tour.
Joins Sheffield Wednesday
Tom King assumes ministerial responsibility for defence as the Trident submarine programme advances
Plays the title character in Milos Forman's period drama Valmont.
Appointed Vice President of the EC
Water Act 1989 restructures the water industry and enables water privatisation
This page is generated from stored World History Database records matching the exact country and year shown above. Exact duplicate display records are collapsed. Records without a month are listed after the monthly sections. Source provenance varies by record; formal academic citation should be checked against the relevant primary source, archive or specialist historical reference.