A YEAR IN REVIEW: 1990 WAS A REMARKABLE YEAR

Each 365 days, we come to this fragile moment in time. We stand poised at the start of a new year - a time of resolutions, anticipation, and celebration.

But as we look ahead, so many of us pause to review the year just ended. There's little doubt 1990 was a year filled with extraordinary events.

It was a remarkable year:

Formerly communist East Germany merged into West Germany Oct. 3, ending 45 years of post-war division; after 30 years in prison, Nelson Mandela was released in February; Three Baltic Republics declared their independence and sought to secede from the Soviet Union.

It was a surprising year: After 11 years in power, England's longest serving leader of the century - Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher - resigned Nov. 22; Mikhail Gorbachev won the Nobel Peace prize; a Dec. 3 earthquake prediction by one New Mexico climatologist focused national attention on Southeast Missouri.

It was a year of world solidarity: President Bush and Soviet leader Gorbachev met in Washington in early June for a four-day summit; citizens of the world celebrated the 20th Earth Day on April 22.

It was a controversial year: `The no new taxes' theme went out the window, and new taxes became law with the new budget. In June, the Supreme Court struck down a flag burning law passed by Congress, reigniting the call for a constitutional amendment; the savings and loan bailout proceeded, amid lots of citizen anger and finger pointing.

It was a quirky year: Bart Simpson and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles proved unlikely heroes. Donald Trump proved that fortunes can change quickly when image is everything.

It was a sad year: A Missouri family's legal struggle to allow their daughter to die ended in December after three years. Nancy Cruzan's death last week saddened a nation, and sparked a national right-to-die debate.

It was an ominous year: Since the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq's Saddam Hussein on Dec. 2, the United States has been perched on the brink of war. Release of the hostages in early December hasn't negated the chance of war, and a Jan 15. U.N. deadline for Iraq looms. Nearly 400,000 U.S. troops are now in Saudi Arabia, including a number of local men and women.

The past year was filled with accomplishments and sadness - a mixed bag of happenings and people. Many stories that began in 1990 will carry on into the new year. Tomorrow's headlines will be built on the choices we make today.

What will the new year bring? No one has a fool-proof crystal ball. We can only hope 1991 will be a year of peace, progress and prosperity.