30 Years Ago

What Was Happening... 30 Years Ago

Events in Australia

  • Australia’s Bicentenary year
  • World Expo 88 opens in QLD, runs for 6 months hosting pavilions from over 70 countries
  • First episode of “Home and Away” goes to air
  • A Current Affair” debuts on Channel Nine

World News

  • Iran: After 8 years and 1.5 million dead, the Iran-Iraq war ends
  • UK: The English Pound Note ceases to be legal Tender
  • South Korea: The Summer Olympics are held in Seoul, South Korea
  • United States: US Space Shuttle program resumes 2 1/2 years after Challenger disaster
  • Canada: The Winter Olympic Games are held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Technology

  • First transatlantic fibre optic cable laid able to carry 40,000 telephone calls simultaneously
  • Stephen Hawking Publishes " A Brief History of Time "
  • The first major computer virus infects computers connected to the Internet
  • The US Stealth Bomber is unveiled
  • Using Carbon Dating it is established that the Turin Shroud Can Not Be the Burial Cloth of Christ
  • The Antidepressant Prozac introduced which quickly became the market leader for treating depression

Films and TV

  • Popular films included: Crocodile Dundee II, The Man from Snowy River II, Rain Man, Twins, Die Hard, A Fish Called Wanda
  • “The Last Emperor” received “Best Picture” at the 60th Academy Awards
  • Michael Douglas won “Best Actor” for “Wall Street” at the 60th Academy Awards
  • Cher won “Best Actress” for “Moonstruck” at the 60th Academy Awards
  • “L.A. Law” won “Best Television Series – Drama” at the 1988 Golden Globe Awards
  • “The Golden Girls” won “Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy” at the 1988 Golden Globe Awards

Music

  • Popular musicians included: Kylie Minogue, Michael Jackson, Robert Palmer, U2, The Beach Boys, Guns N’ Roses
  • “Don’t Worry Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin won “Record of the Year” at the 31st Annual GRAMMY Awards
  • “Faith” by George Michael won “Album of the Year” at the 31st Annual GRAMMY Awards

Fashion

Children's Toys