The Montreal Protocol comes into force, stopping the use of chemicals contributing to ozone depletion. Date: January 1, 1989 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1989 📅 On This Day (Today)

David Dinkins is sworn in as New York City's first black mayor. Date: January 1, 1990 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1990 📅 On This Day (Today)

Dissolution of Czechoslovakia: Czechoslovakia is divided into the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Date: January 1, 1993 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1993 📅 On This Day (Today)

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) comes into effect. Date: January 1, 1994 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1994 📅 On This Day (Today)

The Zapatista Army of National Liberation initiates twelve days of armed conflict in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Date: January 1, 1994 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1994 📅 On This Day (Today)

Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU. Date: January 1, 1995 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1995 📅 On This Day (Today)

The Draupner wave in the North Sea in Norway is detected, confirming the existence of freak waves. Date: January 1, 1995 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1995 📅 On This Day (Today)

The World Trade Organization comes into being. Date: January 1, 1995 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1995 📅 On This Day (Today)

Argentinian physicist Juan Maldacena publishes a landmark paper initiating the study of AdS/CFT correspondence, which links string theory and quantum gravity. Date: January 1, 1998 Read more on Wikipedia → 📅 Other events on January 1 📅 Events on this day in 1998 📅 On This Day (Today)