As 1989 came to a close, the year of miracles continued. In Prague, Czechoslovakia, a bloodless "Velvet Revolution" forced the Communist Party from power and opened the nation's border to the West. By year's end, Prague Spring reformer Alexander Dubcek was elected speaker of the federal assembly, and playwright Vaclev Havel was named president.

In Romania, demand for change ignited violence. Nearly 1,000 people were killed in December as anti-government protesters battled forces loyal to communist leader Nicolae Ceausecu in the streets of Bucharest. Ceausecu and his wife tried to flee Romania but were captured, tried by court martial, and shot on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, off the coast of Malta, U.S. President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev held what came to be called the "seasick summit." On the second day, Gorbachev told Bush the Soviets wanted the United States to remain a force in Europe. Then he decisively announced: "We don't consider you an enemy anymore."
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