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Hot reads: Sports fans, where were you in ’88? – The San Diego Union-Tribune
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ win over the Chicago Cubs on Thursday night that propelled them into the World Series made us nostalgic, considering that it’s been 29 years since L.A. last played for a title.
Dodgers fans, we get your impatience, because 1988 seems ages ago for so many aspects of American life.
Example: The concept of the World Wide Web was first discussed at a conference of the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
Crazy idea, huh?
According to Wikipedia’s page for 1988, it was a big year for the internet. The first permanent intercontinental connection between the U.S. and Europe was established. Also, the first internet virus – the Worm – was detected.
Some other highlights and lowlights from the year:
The Winter Olympics were held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The media darlings were English ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards and the first-ever Jamaica national bobsled team. American speed skater Dan Jansen skated in the 500-meter final mere hours after his sister Jane died of leukemia.
“Phantom of the Opera,” which would become the longest-running show on Broadway, debuted.
The first McDonald’s restaurant in a country run by a Communist party opened in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
Former pop singer Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs.
A report by U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Coop stated that the addictive properties of nicotine are similar to those of heroin and cocaine.
NASA scientist James Hansen testified to the Senate that man-made global warming had begun.
Al-Qaeda is formed by Osama bin Laden.
The 1988 Summer Olympics were held in Seoul, South Korea. These would be the last games for the Soviet Union and East Germany. Notable: Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson won the 100 final in record time, but was disqualified after he tested positive for a performance enhancing drug; Greg Louganis famously hit his head on the diving board, but still won both diving events.
Kirk Gibson’s dramatic home run in Game 1 of the World Series propelled the Dodgers to the eventual title over the Oakland A’s.
On Nov. 8, Republican George H.W. Bush was elected president over Democrat Michael Dukakis.
The first World AIDS Day was held.
Pan Am Flight 103 is blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people.
Future Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry was born, as was Adele.
Notable deaths from the year included Andy Gibb, John Carradine, Roy Orbison, Sammy Davis Jr. and Pete Maravich.