Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and US President George H. W. Bush declared an end to the Cold War.
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Neon lighting was first demonstrated at the Paris Motor Show by Georges Claude.
The Grand Union Flag flew for the first time with the commissioning of the USS Alfred.
NASA lost radio contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before the spacecraft entered the Martian atmosphere.
Illinois became the 21st state to join the United States of America.
The US Defense Secretary announced that the US Military would open all combat roles to women.
