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December 17, 1989

December 17, 1989, was a Sunday. It was 35 years and 4 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Sagittarius.

On This Day

What happened on this date?

Notable events that occurred on December 17, 1989:

  • Romanian Revolution: Rioters break into the Communist Party's District Committee building in Timișoara.
  • The first episode of The Simpsons is aired.
Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on December 17, 1989:

  • United States: "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel
  • United Kingdom: "Let's Party" by Jive Bunny & Mastermixers

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 17, 1989

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • We Didn't Start The Fire - Billy Joel
  • Another Day In Paradise - Phil Collins
  • Don't Know Much - Linda Ronstadt (Featuring Aaron Neville)
  • Back To Life - Soul II Soul
  • With Every Beat Of My Heart - Taylor Dayne
Play the top singles from 1989
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1989. Take a trip back to the days of Tina Turner, the Bangles, Guns N' Roses and Fine Young Cannibals.
The War of the Roses

Top movie

The movie "The War of the Roses" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 12,788 days ago. Approximately 426 months have passed. It was the 351st day of 1989, in week 50. The decade was the eighties. The end of 1989 was just 14 days away. People who were born on December 17, 1989, are now 35 years old and belong to the Millennial generation. We have gone through approximately 142 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to December 17, 1989

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is December 17, 1989, and it's a Sunday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. People are currently enjoying their weekend. However, because it's a Sunday, some are dreading the week ahead.

The Christmas season of 1989 is in full swing. People are putting up their decorations and festive songs are playing on the radio. In America, the song "We Didn't Start The Fire" by Billy Joel is at the top of the singles charts, while "Let's Party" by Jive Bunny & Mastermixers is the number-one song in the UK. George W. Bush Snr. is the President of the United States, and the movie The War of the Roses is at the top of the box office.

Margaret Thatcher is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Magnum, P.I.", "Murder, She Wrote", "Matlock", and "Full House". In fashion, women are wearing sweater dresses, short skirts, small shoulder pads, animal print, long full wool coats, and bulky sweaters. Meanwhile, men are wearing tracksuits, sweatshirts, Nike Air Jordan shoes, and denim.

It's 1989, so the airwaves are being dominated by music artists such as Madonna, The Bangles, Phil Collins, Roxette, Milli Vanilli and The B-52s. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Sammy Davis, Jr, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Roald Dahl would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Missile Command", "Mega Man 2", "Golden Axe", and "Herzog Zwei".

Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "The Smurfs", "The Care Bears", "Married... with Children", and "The World of David the Gnome". Children are playing with toys such as the Easy-Bake Oven, Transformers, Jenga, and Koosh Ball.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 17, 1989, will have the star sign Sagittarius.
  • Zodiac Element: Fire.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1989 was the year of the Snake (Yin Earth).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 2.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 17, 1989 falls under the Owl.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of December will have the birthstones Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise.
  • Birth flower (December): The Narcissus and the Holly.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 17, 1989.

  • Christmas 1989.

    Christmas 1989

    The Christmas period of 1989 was in full swing by this stage. The decorations were up, festive music was playing on the radio, people were feeling stressed, retail stores were filled with shoppers, and everyone was making plans for the big day.
  • The Velvet Revolution.

    The Velvet Revolution

    During this time, popular demonstrations were being held against the one-party Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. These demonstrations eventually led to the end of 41 years of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia.
  • The Sega Genesis.

    The Sega Genesis

    The Sega Genesis was one of the most popular video game consoles. Outside of North America, it was known as the Sega Mega Drive.
  • The Game Boy.

    The Game Boy

    A hand-held game console called the "Game Boy" was all the rage. The console boasted games such as Super Mario Land, Tetris, Donkey Kong, Kirby's Dream Land, and a number of Pokémon releases.
  • The MicroTAC 9800x.

    The MicroTAC 9800x

    Motorola released the MicroTAC 9800x on April 25th, 1989. This is considered by many to be the first truly portable phone.
  • 1989 in music.

    1989 in music

    Popular music artists in 1989 included Def Leppard, Paula Abdul, Bon Jovi, Tone Lōc, Debbie Gibson, Milli Vanilli, Rod Stewart, Roxette, The Bangles, Fine Young Cannibals, Madonna, Jody Watley, Donny Osmond, Bette Midler, Simply Red, Martika, Love and Rockets, Gloria Estefan, New Kids on the Block, Cher, Janet Jackson, Bad English, Billy Joel, Phil Collins and Soul II Soul.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1989?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1989?

    In 1989, the best NBA players were Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Akeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Tom Chambers, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, Kevin Johnson, Dominique Wilkins, Terry Cummings, Robert Parish, Dale Ellis and Mark Price.
  • 1989 in movies.

    1989 in movies

    Movies released in 1989 included Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Batman, Back to the Future Part II, Look Who's Talking, Dead Poets Society, Lethal Weapon 2, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Ghostbusters II, The Little Mermaid, Uncle Buck and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
  • Best soccer players in the world.

    Best soccer players in the world

    In 1989, the best soccer players were Marco van Basten, Franco Baresi, Diego Maradona, Frank Rijkaard, Lothar Matthäus, Peter Shilton, Dragan Stojković, Ruud Gullit, Gheorghe Hagi and Jürgen Klinsmann.
  • Driving Miss Daisy.

    Driving Miss Daisy

    "Driving Miss Daisy" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1989.
  • Mikhail Gorbachev.

    Mikhail Gorbachev

    Mikhail Gorbachev was named Time Person of the Year in 1989 after overseeing the Soviet Union's first free elections.
  • Bette Midler - "Wind Beneath My Wings"

    Bette Midler - "Wind Beneath My Wings"

    "Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler won a Grammy for 1989's Song of the Year.
  • The Scrunchie is becoming fashionable.

    The Scrunchie is becoming fashionable

    A new elastic hair tie called the "scrunchie" became fashionable in the late 1980s.
  • Late 1980s fashion.

    Late 1980s fashion

    The mini skirt became extremely popular. Shoulder pads became increasingly smaller. Popular clothing included reversible inside-out coats, bright-colored shoes with thin heels, berets, lacy gloves, rugby sweatshirts, sweater dresses, jumpsuits, capri leggings, bike shorts, and skirts worn with leggings. Colors included neon hues, plum, gold, and bright wines.
  • People are buying waterbeds.

    People are buying waterbeds

    Waterbeds became a huge fad during the late 1980s. Although they were invented in the 1970s, they didn't reach their heyday until the 1980s. In 1986 and 1987, nearly a quarter of all beds sold were filled with water.
  • VCRs have become a common household item.

    VCRs have become a common household item

    VCRs became a common household item in the mid-1980s. By that stage, prices had started to drop. This device gave people the ability to play VCR tapes and record TV programs and movies.
  • The Nintendo Entertainment System.

    The Nintendo Entertainment System

    During the second half of the 1980s, the Nintendo Entertainment System became one of the most popular video game consoles in the world. Releases for the NES included Duck Hunt, The Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario Bros.
  • The Commodore 64.

    The Commodore 64

    The Commodore 64 was dominating the home computer market.
  • Computers are replacing typewriters.

    Computers are replacing typewriters

    Desktop computers were beginning to replace typewriters in offices.
  • TV remotes.

    TV remotes

    Although TV remotes existed, many homes didn't have one. Infrared technology was still relatively new.
  • Wallpaper.

    Wallpaper

    Wallpaper was extremely common in people's homes throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It wasn't until the mid-late 1980s that "modernism" started to creep in.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on December 17, 1989.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around December 17, 1989.

  • November 17, 1989:
    • Disney's movie The Little Mermaid (1989) is released.
    • The Velvet Revolution begins as popular demonstrations take place against the one-party Communist regime in Czechoslovakia.
  • November 22, 1989:
    • Back to the Future Part II (1989) is released.
    • Lebanese President René Moawad is assassinated by a car bomb in Beirut.
  • November 26, 1989:
    • The first episode of "MTV Unplugged" airs on television.
    • The first episode of "America's Funniest Home Videos" is aired on ABC.
  • November 27, 1989: 107 people die when Pablo Escobar blows up Avianca Flight 203 in Colombia.
  • November 28, 1989: In response to widespread protests, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia agrees to give up power.
  • November 29, 1989: Communist rule ends in Czechoslovakia.
  • December 1, 1989: National Lampoon's Winter Holiday (1989) is released in movie theaters.
  • December 6, 1989: 14 women are killed after Marc Lépine goes on a shooting spree at the École Polytechnique engineering school in Montreal, Canada.
  • December 11, 1989: Bulgarian leader Petar Mladenov announces that the Communist Party in Bulgaria will abandon its monopoly on power.
  • December 14, 1989: The film Glory (1989) is released.
  • December 15, 1989: The comedy-drama film "Driving Miss Daisy" is released.
  • December 16, 1989: The Romanian Revolution begins when protests break out in the city of Timișoara.
  • This date: December 17, 1989
  • December 20, 1989: The United States invades Panama.
  • December 21, 1989: Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceausescu gives his final speech, during which he is booed and forced to retreat.
  • December 22, 1989:
    • Irish novelist Samuel Beckett passes away at the age of 83.
    • Romania: The communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu is ended after he flees his palace by helicopter.
  • December 25, 1989:
    • The BFG (1989 film) is released.
    • Former Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu is executed.
  • January 1, 1990: The first episode of "Mr. Bean" is aired.
  • January 2, 1990: American actor Alan Hale dies from cancer at the age of 68.
  • January 3, 1990: Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega surrenders to the US military.
  • January 4, 1990: The first episode of British sitcom "One Foot in the Grave" is aired.
  • January 5, 1990: Genesee River Killer: Serial killer Arthur Shawcross is arrested.
  • January 6, 1990: Scottish actor Ian Charleson dies from AIDS.
  • January 8, 1990: The song "Nothing Compares 2 U" is released by Irish singer Sinead O'Connor.
  • January 15, 1990: Former FBI informant William O'Neal is killed after he runs into traffic on Interstate 290 in Illinois.

Late 1980s fashion

Photographs of late 1980s fashion and hairstyles.

Late 1980s fashion

Television shows

TV series on December 17, 1989

People in December 1989 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from December 1989.

Family Matters
Family Matters
Seinfeld
Seinfeld
Quantum Leap
Quantum Leap
Roseanne
Roseanne
In the Heat of the Night
In the Heat of the Night
The Wonder Years
The Wonder Years
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Full House
Full House
My Two Dads
My Two Dads
21 Jump Street
21 Jump Street
Married... with Children
Married... with Children
Matlock
Matlock

Cars in 1989

1989 saw the introduction of cars such as the Chevrolet Lumina, the Citroën XM, the Ford Fiesta (third generation), the Dodge Spirit, the Eagle Talon, and the Lexus ES.

Cars in 1989.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in December 1989

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

The Simpsons
The Simpsons
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Dink, the Little Dinosaur
Dink, the Little Dinosaur

Beetlejuice
Beetlejuice
Saved by the Bell
Saved by the Bell
Hey Dude
Hey Dude
Babar
Babar
Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers
Chip 'n' Dale's Rescue Rangers
Noozles
Noozles
Roseanne
Roseanne
Garfield and Friends
Garfield and Friends
Toys

Toys in 1989

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

Lego Pirates
Lego Pirates
Polly Pocket
Polly Pocket
The Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
The Sega Genesis / Mega Drive
The Game Boy
The Game Boy
Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles figures
Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles figures
The Ghostbusters Proton Pack
The Ghostbusters Proton Pack
Koosh Ball
Koosh Ball
Boglins (hand puppets)
Boglins (hand puppets)
Jenga
Jenga
Micro Machines
Micro Machines
Popples
Popples
Laser Tag
Laser Tag
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in December 1989.

Herzog Zwei 1989
Herzog Zwei
The Revenge of Shinobi 1989
The Revenge of Shinobi
Golden Axe 1989
Golden Axe
DuckTales 1989
DuckTales
Super Mario Land 1989
Super Mario Land
SimCity 1989
SimCity
Mega Man 2 1988
Mega Man 2
RoboCop 1988
RoboCop
Gain Ground 1988
Gain Ground
Altered Beast 1988
Altered Beast
Maniac Mansion
 1987
Maniac Mansion
Paperboy 1986
Paperboy

Were you born on December 17, 1989?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1989.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out December 17, 1995, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 17.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis

Pope
Born on December 17, 1936
He turned 53 on this day in 1989.

Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman

Actor
Born on December 17, 1953
He turned 36 on this day in 1989.

Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell

MMA fighter
Born on December 17, 1969
He turned 20 on this day in 1989.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao

Boxer
Born on December 17, 1978
He turned 11 on this day in 1989.

Chelsea Manning

Chelsea Manning

Whistleblower
Born on December 17, 1987
She turned 2 on this day in 1989.

USA

US President

George W. Bush Snr. was the President of the United States on December 17, 1989.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Charles Haughey was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on December 17, 1989 was most likely conceived around March 26, 1989.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 17, 1989 is close to September 9, 1990.

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Stats for December 17, 1989

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 17, 1989:

  • 12,788 days have passed since this date.
  • 1,826 weeks have passed.
  • 1,104,883,200 seconds have passed since December 17, 1989.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,289,030,400 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 570,119,731,200 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 184,147,200 times.
  • You have taken approximately 95,019,955 steps. That's roughly 42,231 miles.
  • 13,258,598 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1989?

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