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Period: to
US-Panama Invasion
Date: December 1989 – January 1990
Description: The US invaded Panama to remove dictator Manuel Noriega, accused of drug trafficking. After the invasion, Panama's defense forces were dissolved, and Guillermo Endara became President. -
US-Panama invasion
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German Reunification
Date: October 3, 1990
Description: East and West Germany merged, marking the end of the Cold War divide. The reunification process included free elections and the adoption of a unified currency, the Deutsche Mark. -
Breakup of Yugoslavia
Date: 1990-1992
Description: After years of ethnic and political tensions, four republics declared independence, leading to the Yugoslav Wars. This period saw significant conflict, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes. -
The Gulf War
Date: January 17 – February 28, 1991
Description: A coalition of 35 nations led by the US fought Iraq after Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. The conflict ended with Kuwait’s liberation and heavy sanctions on Iraq. -
Fall of the USSR
Date: December 25, 1991
Description: The Soviet Union dissolved after Baltic states declared independence and other republics signed agreements to form the Commonwealth of Independent States. Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, marking the end of the USSR. -
NAFTA Agreement
Date: January 1, 1994
Description: The North American Free Trade Agreement created a trade bloc between the US, Canada, and Mexico, aiming to eliminate tariffs and barriers to investment. -
Hong Kong Handover
Date: July 1, 1997
Description: The UK handed sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, ending 156 years of British colonial rule. The agreement ensured "one country, two systems" for 50 years.