Ty Murray, a native of Stephenville who had competed as a member of the Odessa College rodeo team, becomes the first person to win both collegiate and professional all-around cowboy titles in the same year. Oliver North, a former staff member of the National Security Council, is convicted May 4 of charges stemming from the Iraan-Contra scandal. The conviction is overturned on appeal in 1991. He is approved, becoming the first black to hold that position. In November, Douglas Wilder, a Democrat, is elected governor of Virginia and becomes the first black governor in the United States since Reconstruction.
Information is drawn from news accounts, archives and other historical records.
20th Century Countdown. The Odessa American's daily countdown of the last 100 years, from 1900 through 1999, with a short summary of some news and newsmakers affecting residents of Odessa. Copyright 1999 Odessa American. All rights reserved. Refer comments to Webmaster .