On this day

August 20, 1989

Revisit the music, news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from August 20, 1989

The Americanization of Emily

By Benedict Nightingale

LEAD: Two years ago, Emily Lloyd might have been dismissed as one of those minor storm systems that rattle the showbiz barometers, stir the moviegoing public and evaporate as suddenly and inexplicably as they arrived. After all, she was only 16 and had appeared in a single low-budget film. She'd played the brazen adolescent who scandalizes a sedate British seaside town with her sexual bravado in ''Wish You Were Here,'' and she'd done nothing else whatsoever.

Arts and Leisure Desk2429 words
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Easy Goer Takes Travers by 3 Lengths

By Steven Crist, Special To the New York Times

LEAD: Easy Goer ran down Clever Trevor with a furlong to go and drew away to a comfortable and professional three-length victory today in the $1,088,500 Travers Stakes for 3-year-olds at Saratoga Race Track.

Sports Desk950 words
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Music on My Birthday

Billboard 200

The Top 50 albums for the chart week of August 16, 1989, covering August 20, 1989.

  1. 1
    Album cover for Batman (Soundtrack) by Prince

    Batman (Soundtrack)

    Prince

    Last week
    1
    Peak
    1
    Weeks
    7
  2. 2
    Album cover for Repeat Offender by Richard Marx

    Repeat Offender

    Richard Marx

    Last week
    3
    Peak
    2
    Weeks
    14
  3. 3
    Album cover for Hangin' Tough by New Kids on the Block

    Hangin' Tough

    New Kids on the Block

    Last week
    2
    Peak
    2
    Weeks
    52
  4. 4
    Album cover for Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul

    Forever Your Girl

    Paula Abdul

    Last week
    7
    Peak
    4
    Weeks
    57
  5. 5
    Album cover for Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty

    Full Moon Fever

    Tom Petty

    Last week
    5
    Peak
    3
    Weeks
    15

Notable Births

Kirko Bangz

1989Kirko Bangz, American rapper and producer[†]

Kirk Jerel Randle, better known by his stage name Kirko Bangz, is an American rapper, known for his 2011 single "Drank in My Cup", which peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His guest appearance on Meek Mill's 2012 single, "Young & Gettin' It", peaked at number 86. As his following releases have failed to chart, he has been regarded as a one-hit wonder.

1989Nebil Gahwagi, Hungarian footballer[†]

Nebil Gahwagi is a Hungarian football player. In 2009, he collapsed during a training session. In 2014, he left Hungary for England due to work reasons.

Silas Kiplagat

1989Silas Kiplagat, Kenyan runner[†]

Silas Kiplagat is a Kenyan middle-distance runner who specialises in the 1500 metres. He has a personal best of 3:27.64 minutes, which makes him the sixth fastest of all-time over the distance.

Slavcho Shokolarov

1989Slavcho Shokolarov, Bulgarian footballer[†]

Slavcho Petrov Shokolarov is a Bulgarian retired professional footballer who played as a midfielder and now a manager, currently leading Asenovets II.

Judd Trump

1989Judd Trump, English snooker player[†]

Judd Trump is an English professional snooker player who is a former world champion and the current world number one. He is currently in fourth place on the list of all-time ranking event winners, having won 30 ranking titles. He has also won five Triple Crown titles.

Dean Winnard

1989Dean Winnard, English footballer[†]

Dean Winnard is an English footballer who last played for Marine in the Northern Premier League Division One West. His natural position is as a central defender. However, at Accrington Stanley, he was predominantly used as a left full-back.

Historical Events

River Thames

1989The pleasure boat Marchioness sinks on the River Thames following a collision. Fifty-one people are killed.[†]

The River Thames, known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At 215 miles (346 km), it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the River Severn.

Historical Context for August 20, 1989

In 1989, the world population was approximately 5,234,431,732 people[†]