Timeline March 1990

Events in March 1990 14

• 1929 – 1990 Lev Yashin The Black Spider The only goalkeeper to ever win the Ballon d'Or (1963).
• 1932 – 1990 Halston (1932-1990) Died 26 March 1990, aged 57 Halston, born Roy Halston Frowick, was an American fashion designer who dominated American style in the 1970s with minimalist designs favored by celebrities. He designed Jacqueline Kennedy's pillbox hat before launching his own label. He died of AIDS-related complications in San Francisco.
• 1990 Iditarod 1990 Winner: Susan Butcher — 11 days 1h Susan Butcher won her fourth Iditarod title in 1990, equalling Rick Swenson's record of four wins.
• 1990 Twin Peaks premieres Lynch's groundbreaking TV series David Lynch's mystery drama Twin Peaks premiered on ABC in April 1990, revolutionising television drama and influencing countless shows that followed.
• 1990 Notting Hillbillies album released Knopfler's country-rock side project — March 5, 1990 The Notting Hillbillies, Mark Knopfler's country-rock side project with Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips, released Missing... Presumed Having a Good Time on March 5, 1990. It became a UK Top 10 album and signalled Knopfler's growing desire to move beyond the confines of Dire Straits.
• 1990 Lithuania declares independence First Soviet republic to break free Lithuania became the first Soviet republic to formally declare independence from the USSR on March 11, 1990, triggering a constitutional crisis in Moscow.
• 1990 Gorbachev elected president New Soviet executive role created The Congress of People's Deputies elected Mikhail Gorbachev as the first President of the Soviet Union on March 15, 1990, creating a new executive role separate from the Communist Party.
• 1990 Iraq executes journalist Farzad Bazoft British-based reporter hanged as alleged spy Iraq executed Iranian-born British journalist Farzad Bazoft on 15 March 1990 after convicting him of spying. Bazoft had been reporting for the Observer on an explosion at an Iraqi military site. His execution drew international condemnation and worsened Iraq's relations with Britain ahead of the Gulf War.
• 1990 Gardner Museum art theft Largest art heist in history Thirteen works worth up to $500 million — including Vermeer's "The Concert" and Rembrandt's "The Storm on the Sea of Galilee" — were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston on March 18, 1990. The paintings have never been recovered.
• 1990 Namibia becomes independent Free from South African rule Namibia gained independence from South Africa on March 21, 1990, ending 75 years of South African rule and the last colonial administration in Africa.
• 1990 Pretty Woman #3 film of 1990 — $463m worldwide Directed by Garry Marshall, starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. A wealthy businessman hires a vivacious prostitute to be his escort for business events.
• 1990 Hungary holds first free elections since 1945 Democratic Forum wins governing mandate Hungary's first free parliamentary elections since World War II were held in two rounds on 25 March and 8 April 1990. The Hungarian Democratic Forum won the largest share of seats and formed a coalition government. The vote completed Hungary's transition from communist rule.
• 1990 "Driving Miss Daisy" wins Best Picture 62nd Academy Awards held in Los Angeles "Driving Miss Daisy" won Best Picture at the 62nd Academy Awards, held on 26 March 1990. Jessica Tandy won Best Actress for her role in the film, becoming the oldest winner in the category at the time. The ceremony also recognized "My Left Foot" and "Born on the Fourth of July."
• 1990 Poll tax riots erupt in central London Trafalgar Square protest turns violent A demonstration of over 200,000 people against Margaret Thatcher's Community Charge, or "poll tax," turned into a riot in London's Trafalgar Square on 31 March 1990. Clashes with police left over 100 injured and dozens of vehicles and shops damaged. The unrest hastened the tax's abolition and contributed to Thatcher's fall from power later that year.