What Happened on May 20, 1989

Historical Events

  • 114th Preakness: Pat Valenzuela aboard Sunday Silence wins in 1:53.8
  • China declares martial law in Beijing

Field of Dreams

Premiere of sports fantasy drama film "Field of Dreams", based on W. P. Kinsella's novel "Shoeless Joe", starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta and Burt Lancaster in his final film role

Film & TV History

Toonces The Cat takes the wheel on "Saturday Night Live"

  • Walter McConnel, 57, is oldest to reach 27,000' Mt Everest top
1989 History

Famous Deaths

  • Erzsébet Galgoczi, Hungarian writer, dies at 58
  • Gilda Radner, American comedian and actress (SNL, 1975-80; Haunted Honeymoon), dies of ovarian cancer at 42
  • John R. Hicks, English economist (Nobel Memorial Prize for Economic Sciences 1972), dies at 85
1989 Highlights

About May 20, 1989

Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 34 years, 10 months and 8 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Millennial
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Taurus

Music Charts

  • US #1 Song: Forever Your Girl - Paula Abdul
  • UK #1 Song: Ferry 'Cross The Mersey - Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul Mccartney, Gerry Marsden & Stock Aitken Waterman