What Happened on February 14, 1989

Historical Events

  • African National Congress (ANC) opens office in Amsterdam

Satanic Verses

Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini issues a fatwa calling for the death of Salman Rushdie and his publishers due to his novel "Satanic Verses". A bounty is also placed on his head.

  • The first of 24 satellites of the Global Positioning System are placed into orbit.
  • Union Carbide agrees to pay $470 mill damages for Bhopol disaster
  • World's 1st satellite Skyphone opens

Famous Weddings

Courtney Love

Singer-songwriter Courtney Love (24) weds vocalist James Moreland

Famous Divorces

Mike Tyson & Robin Givens

Robin Givens is granted a divorce from Mike Tyson in the Dominican Republic

Famous Deaths

  • James Bond, American ornithologist (b. 1900)
  • Vincent Crane [Cheesman], British rock Hammond organist, and songwriter (The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - "Fire"), dies of deliberate painkiller overdose at 45
Died in 1989 1989 Highlights

About February 14, 1989

Day of the Week: Tuesday
How Long Ago? 35 years, 2 months and 13 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Aquarius

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Straight Up - Paula Abdul
  • UK #1 Song: Somethings Gotten Hold Of My Heart - Marc Almond Featuring Special Guest Star Gene Pitney