Yugoslav Federation breaks up. The remains are plunged into turmoil.
Cold War officially ends.
US lifts trade sanctions against China.
US Military leaves Philippines after nearly a century of presence there.
Chekoslovakia splits into two countries.
In the US elections, Bill Clinton defeats incumbent U.S. President George H.W. Bush and businessman H. Ross Perot.
Bill Clinton
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom describes this year as an Annus Horribilis (horrible year), due to various scandals damaging the image of the Royal Family, as well as the Windsor Castle fire.
Windsor Castle ablaze
Deng Xiaoping accelerates market reforms to establish a socialist market economy in the People's Republic of China.
The European Union is formed.
EuroDisney opens in Marne-la-Vallee, France amid much criticism.
Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's Fragment Q1 hits Jupiter. The examination of its impact caused scientists to reconsider the importance of asteroid strikes in terrestrial history.
Shoemaker-Levys impact on Jupiter
Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, is destroyed by Hindu activists. As a consequence, communal riots break out across India.
Babri Masjid
Supreme Court of India upholds 27% quota for backward classes in government jobs, subject to exclusion of "creamy layers".
Both Zee-TV and Star TV are launched in India.
The Chief Judicial Magistrate of the Bhopal court declares ex-CEO of Union Carbide Warren Anderson to be a fugitive after failing to appear in court for the Bhopal Disaster case.
A Thai Airways Airbus crashes into mountain south of Kathmandu, Nepal killing 113 people.
Madhu Sapre is awarded the title "Miss India", in the Femina Miss India Pageant.
Madhu Sapre
The Hindustani Bansuri player Hari Prasad Chaurasia is awarded Padma Bhushan
Bharat Bhushan ("Baiju Bawra", "Pardeshi", "Barsaat ki Raat"), dies at the age of 72
"Lamhe" wins Filmfare Award for "Best Picture".
Bhalji Pendharkar (director/producer/writer) is the recipient of the "Dadasaheb Phalke Award" for lifetime achievement.
Satyajit Ray awarded the Oscar for "Lifetime Achievement". He also receives the "Bharat Ratna" from the Indian Government. On April 23 of this year he dies at the age of 70.
Actor / film-maker V. Shantaram is awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour
Music directors Anandji V. Shah and Kalyanji V. Shah (a.k.a. Kalyanji- Anandji), as well as actor / film-maker Manoj Kumar, and Jaya Bhaduri Bachchan are awarded Padma Shree
Nadeem / Shravan win Filmfare award for "Best Music Director" for their work in "Saajan"
Kumar Sanu wins the Filmfare Award for "Best Male Playback" for the song Mera Dil Bhi from "Saajan".
Anuradha Paudwal wins the Filmfare Award for "Best Female Playback" for the song Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin from "Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin".
Parveen Babi leaves the US and returns to Bombay. Physically she has put on much weight so she is not easily recognised. However she does raise considerable attention to herself by making outlandish accusations against Amitabh Bachchan, and a number of other people. It later becomes clear to all that she is suffering from mental illness
A.R.Rahman opens his recording studio. It is called the "Panchathan Record Inn". This same year he debuts as a composer / music director for the Tamil film "Roja"
Shahrukh Khan has his film debut in the film "Deewana".
Amitabh Bachchan wins the "Filmfare Best Actor Award" for his performance of Tiger / Shekhar in "Hum"
Sridevi wins the "Filmfare Best Actress Award" for her performance of Pallavi / Pooja Bhatnagar in "Lamhe"
Rani Mukerji makes her film debut in a small way in the Bengali film "Biyer Phool".
Kajol (a.k.a. Kajol Mukherjee) makes her film debut in "Bekhudi".
Dev Anand wins the "Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award".