In the year 1189...
- The Third Crusade gets underway as German and French armies set out for the Holy Land in response to a call by Pope Gregory VIII to recapture Jerusalem, which had fallen to Saladin in 1187. The German army, lacking ships, dies of plague while trying to go the long way by marching through Turkey, but the French army arrives by sea, helping erstwhile King of Jerusalem Guy of Lusignan begin the Siege of Acre.
- Spurred on by their mother, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and French king Philip II, English princes Richard the Lionhearted and Prince John raise yet another rebellion in France against their aging father King Henry II. Henry attempts quell the rebellion, only to die during the course of the campaign, causing Richard to be crowned King Richard I.
- Attempting to raise more money so he can join the Third Crusade, newly crowned King Richard sells Scotland its freedom for 10,000 crowns. Scotland had previously agreed to become a feudal possesion of the English crown when it had been forced to sign the Treaty of Falaise in 1174, but the treaty is annulled under the agreement reached between Richard and Scotish king William the Lion.
- King Sancho I of Portugal takes advantage of the general anti-Muslim mood to start his own crusade against the Moors in southern Portugal. He scores some temporary victories, but will eventually be driven back to the north.
- Forces loyal to Japanese hegemon Minamoto Yoritomo attack and kill Yoritomo's brother Minamoto Yoshitsune and his band of followers, including the legendary warrior-monk Benkei, at the Battle of Koromogawa in Mutsu province.
- At a conclave of Mongol leaders, Mongol warlord Temujin is acclaimed with the title "Genghis Khan," literally, "ruler unto the seas."
- Jin Dynasty emperor Shizong orders construction begun on the Marco Polo Bridge.
These people were born in 1189:
These people died in 1189:
1188 - 1189 - 1190
12th century