1989
News
- Mikhail Gorbachev and George Bush officially declare the end of the Cold War.
- 95 people were crushed to death during an FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough.
- Student protests took place in China’s Tiananmen Square.
- The Berlin Wall was breached and Communist regimes came to an end, as revolution swept across Eastern Europe.
- An airliner crashed on the M1, killing more than 40 people.
- Meteorologists claimed it was the warmest year on record.
Entertainment
- Sky Television launched in the UK.
- Round the World in Eighty Days with Michael Palin, Challenge Anneka and Birds of a Feather made their debut on TV.
- Dirty Den was killed off in EastEnders.
- Proceedings in the House of Commons were televised for the first time.
- The Simpsons made a debut in the US.
Music
- The Eurovision Song Contest winner was Riva from Yugoslavia with ‘Rock Me’.
- Madonna was threatened with ex-communication from the Catholic church, after her ‘Like A Prayer’ video suggested sexual attraction between the star and a vision of Jesus.
- It was revealed that Milli Vanilli had not sung on their records.
- A disguised Sinead O’Connor joined an anti-O’Connor demonstration outside her concert in New York..
Number #1 Hits of 1989
| Artist | Title |
| Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan | Especially For You |
| Marc Almond with Gene Pitney | Something’s Gotten Hold Of My Heart |
| Simple Minds | Belfast Child |
| Jason Donovan | Too Many Broken Hearts |
| Madonna | Like A Prayer |
| The Bangles | Eternal Flame |
| Kylie Minogue | Hand On Your Heart |
| The Christians, Holly Johnson, Paul McCartney, Gerry Marsden, Stock Aitken & Waterman | Ferry ‘Cross The Mersey |
| Jason Donovan | Sealed With A Kiss |
| Soul II Soul Feat. Caron Wheeler | Back To Life (How Ever Do You Want Me) |
| Sonia | You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You |
| Jive Bunny | Swing The Mood |
| Black Box | Ride On Time |
| Jive Bunny | That’s What I Like |
| Lisa Stansfield | All Around The World |
| New Kids On The Block | You Got It (The Right Stuff) |
| Jive Bunny | Let’s Party |
| Band Aid II | Do They Know It’s Christmas? |
Sport
- Desert Orchid won the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
- Arsenal won the 1st Division.
- Liverpool won the FA Cup.
- Little Polveir won the Grand National.
- Alain Prost became the Formula 1 World Champion.
