Estonian Supreme Soviet declares sovereignty

Gorbachev and Reagan signed a treaty eliminating an entire class of intermediate-range nuclear missiles. European publics had campaigned against deployments; verification and superpower bargaining...

The regional council voted to seek transfer from the Azerbaijani SSR to the Armenian SSR. The demand reflected Armenian residents’ political claims; it also heightened insecurity and competing...

Afghanistan and Pakistan signed agreements on non-interference and refugee return; the USSR and United States signed guarantees. The accords set a timetable for Soviet withdrawal but did not end...

The first phase of withdrawal followed the Geneva Accords. Afghan people continued to face war, displacement, and foreign intervention after Soviet troops began leaving.

The conference debated political reforms, including a new legislature and more competitive elections. These measures weakened the party’s monopoly in public life but left the Union’s national question...

At the UN, Gorbachev announced large troop and tank reductions and a shift away from military intervention in Eastern Europe. The plan altered the external balance while leaving the political...

A powerful earthquake struck Spitak, Leninakan, and surrounding communities, killing tens of thousands and leaving many homeless. Rescue efforts drew international aid, while Soviet administrative...

The withdrawal ended the decade-long Soviet military intervention, in accordance with the Geneva timetable. Afghan conflict continued, and millions of refugees still faced the question of safe,...

Voters chose members of a new national legislature under reformed electoral rules. The elections opened a public arena for criticism, though reserved seats and party structures limited equal political...

Soviet Interior Ministry troops attacked demonstrators, killing civilians and injuring many others. The violence deepened opposition to Soviet rule and became a turning point in Georgia’s independence...