989

By place

Byzantine Empire

• Emperor Basil II uses his contingent of 6,000 Varangians to help him defeat Bardas Phokas, who suffers a seizure during the siege of Abydos. Phokas dies, ending the revolt and threat to Constantinople. Upon Phokas' death, the other rebel leader Bardas Skleros yields to Basil's superior forces.

Europe

• Summer - Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, captures the city of Reims by treachery of its new archbishop, Arnulf. King Hugh I demands that Pope John XV discipline Arnulf. But John XV, not wishing to defy Empress Theophanu, refuses.
• Winter - Theophanu arrives with her son, King Otto III in Rome to meet John XV. Crescentius II offers his submission to the Holy Roman Empire, in return for which she confirms his title as patrician of Rome.

Asia

• In Vietnam during the Early Le dynasty, provincial governor Dương Tiến Lộc seized control of the two provinces Hoan and Ái in an attempt to request annexation to Champa, which was rejected. He then rebelled against the emperor but was quickly suppressed within the same year, resulting in heavy civilian casualties in both provinces.

By topic

Religion

• Council of Charroux: French bishops under the patronage of William IV, duke of Aquitaine, declare the first Peace of God. This agreement grants immunity from violence to noncombatants who can not defend themselves.

Art

• October 25 - The Hagia Sophia at Constantinople is struck by a great earthquake, causing the collapse of the western dome arch. Basil II asks the Armenian architect Trdat, the creator of the Cathedral of Ani, to direct the repairs.

Education

• Sankore Madrasah, at this stage a mosque, is founded in Timbuktu.

Astronomy

• September - Halley's Comet is at perihelion.