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1989 was a landmark year filled with unforgettable moments that shaped pop culture, technology, and world events. It was the year Printing Partners began its journey, laying the foundation for 36 years of excellence in the printing industry. Let’s find out what happened in 1989.
Movies
Music
Technology
Political
Sports
News
Toys
In March of '89, Tim Berners-Lee, a British scientist at CERN in Switzerland, invented the World Wide Web. This groundbreaking invention revolutionized how people share and access information globally, laid the foundation for the digital age, and transformed communication, commerce, and entertainment. Learn more about CERN. That is what happened in 1989, I wonder what they are doing these days.
Nintendo released the Game Boy on July 31. This handheld gaming system became immensely popular, with games like Tetris entertaining millions. The Game Boy changed how people played video games, making it possible to play anywhere. Discover more on Nintendo’s history.
The U.S. Air Force launched the first of 24 Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites on February 14. This innovation changed modern navigation systems. It transformed how we travel and find places. It also revolutionized many industries, including transportation and mobile technology. Read more about GPS history.
Lexus and Infiniti, luxury divisions of Toyota and Nissan, were first introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 11, 1989. Lexus vehicles went on sale in the U.S. on September 1, 1989, at about 65–81 dealerships nationwide. Infiniti sales followed on November 8, 1989, with 51 dealerships initially. Learn more about Lexus and Infiniti.
The commercial dial-up Internet service was introduced in the United States in November '89. This enhanced digital connectivity for individuals and signaled the onset of the Internet era. This significant milestone was instrumental in ensuring internet accessibility for everyone. Explore the history of the Internet.
Sega released its Sega Genesis gaming console in North America on August 14, 1989. At launch, it featured titles like "Altered Beast" and several arcade ports, offering advanced 16-bit graphics and sound that set a new standard for home gaming. The Genesis laid the groundwork for Sega’s future success and positioned the company as a serious competitor to Nintendo. Learn more about the history of Sega.
In '89, Motorola introduced the MicroTAC 9800X, one of the first flip phones. This innovation was an important step in mobile communication. It made cell phones smaller and easier to carry for daily use. One of the best things in what happened in 1989. Learn more about Motorola's MicroTAC 9800X
This beloved holiday comedy, starring Chevy Chase, premiered on December 1. The film quickly became a Christmas classic, known for its humorous take on family holiday chaos. The movie's popularity continues to endure, bringing laughter and nostalgia to many during the holiday season. Learn more on Wikipedia. This is one of the top movies of 1989 that people still love today.
Tim Burton released "Batman," starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker, on June 23. This iconic superhero film had a significant cultural impact and remains a classic in the superhero genre. "Batman" not only broke box office records but also redefined the superhero movie genre. Read more on IMDb.
"Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," which stars Harrison Ford and Sean Connery, premiered on May 24. The film was a box office success and remains a favorite in the adventure genre. The Indiana Jones series had an exciting story. It impressed audiences with the teamwork of Ford and Connery. Discover more about this classic on IMDb.
"Lethal Weapon 2," starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, hit theaters on July 7. The sequel kept the exciting and funny teamwork of Riggs and Murtaugh. It became a favorite for action movie fans. The film's blend of humor and high-octane action scenes solidified its place in the hearts of many. Find out more on Wikipedia.
This family-friendly sci-fi comedy, directed by Joe Johnston, premiered on June 23. The film tells the story of a scientist who accidentally shrinks his children. It became a beloved classic for its creative plot and special effects. What happened in 1989? "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids" was a significant hit, capturing the imagination of both children and adults. Learn more on Wikipedia.
In 1989, Milli Vanilli dominated music charts with hits like "Girl You Know It's True," "Baby Don't Forget My Number," "Girl I'm Gonna Miss You," and "Blame It on the Rain," earning global fame. However, a July 21, 1989, MTV performance glitch in Bristol, Connecticut, where "Girl You Know It's True" skipped, sparked suspicions of lip-syncing. These doubts foreshadowed the November 1990 revelation by producer Frank Farian that Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus did not sing on their records, igniting an infamous music scandal. Despite this, their catchy pop hits remain nostalgic favorites. Learn more about the Milli Vanilli scandal.
New Kids on the Block became famous in 1989 with their hit album "Hangin' Tough." This album included the popular song "I'll Be Loving You (Forever)." It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 17, 1989. The boy band quickly became a pop culture phenomenon, known for their catchy songs and dedicated fan base. Their success paved the way for future boy bands. Read more about New Kids on the Block.
The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels Tour began on August 31. Their first show was at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This marked a significant comeback for the band. The tour was one of the highest-grossing of the year and demonstrated the enduring popularity of The Rolling Stones. Learn more about the Steel Wheels Tour.
The Rolling Stones' Steel Wheels Tour began on August 31. Their first show was at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This marked a significant comeback for the band. The tour was one of the highest-grossing of the year and demonstrated the enduring popularity of The Rolling Stones. Learn more about the Steel Wheels Tour.
On January 20, George H. W. Bush became the 41st President of the United States. Dan Quayle served as Vice President. His presidency oversaw significant events, including the end of the Cold War and the Gulf War. Learn more about George H. W. Bush.
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9. It was a big moment in history and marked the end of the Cold War. The wall was built in 1961 to stop people from leaving East Berlin for the West. It divided families and friends for 28 years. Protests, economic problems, and calls for freedom led to its fall. Many people still reflect on what happened in 1989 as a turning point in global history. Learn more about the fall of the Berlin Wall here.
The Berlin Wall fell on November 9. It was a big moment in history and marked the end of the Cold War. The wall was built in 1961 to stop people from leaving East Berlin for the West. It divided families and friends for 28 years. Protests, economic problems, and calls for freedom led to its fall. Many people still reflect on what happened in 1989 as a turning point in global history. Learn more about the fall of the Berlin Wall here.
In 1989, Cold War tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States began to ease significantly. The Malta Summit on December 2–3, 1989, between President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, symbolized the Cold War’s decline, fostering a new era of superpower cooperation. This pivotal meeting laid the groundwork for a post-Cold War world. Read more about the end of the Cold War.
The Hillsborough disaster occurred on April 15, 1989 during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Overcrowding in the stadium caused the deaths of 96 fans. This tragedy highlighted the need for improved safety measures and better crowd control. Learn more about the Hillsborough disaster.
On December 20, 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause, invading Panama to overthrow dictator Manuel Noriega. The incursion signified a notable military interference in Latin America, with goals of reinstating democracy and battling drug smuggling. Learn more on Wikipedia or read a retrospective on PBS NewsHour.
The Hillsborough disaster occurred on April 15, 1989 during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Overcrowding in the stadium caused the deaths of 96 fans. This tragedy highlighted the need for improved safety measures and better crowd control. Learn more about the Hillsborough disaster.
Many Eastern European countries had revolutionary movements. These countries included Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Romania. These movements led to the fall of communist governments. These occurrences signified a notable transition towards democracy and market-oriented economies in the area. Learn more about the Eastern European revolutions.
Many Eastern European countries had revolutionary movements. These countries included Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, and Romania. These movements led to the fall of communist governments. These occurrences signified a notable transition towards democracy and market-oriented economies in the area. Learn more about the Eastern European revolutions.
On January 22, 1989, the San Francisco 49ers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII. This victory, led by quarterback Joe Montana, became one of the most memorable moments in NFL history. Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to John Taylor in the final minute secured the victory. Read more about Super Bowl XXIII.
A standout event in 1989 was the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. The Oakland Athletics won the championship in a four-game sweep. The Loma Prieta earthquake disrupted the series, making the victory historic and emotional. Learn more about the 1989 World Series.
Nick Faldo won the Masters Tournament on April 9, after a thrilling playoff against Scott Hoch. This victory was Faldo's first win at the Masters. It confirmed his status as a top golfer. People recognize him for his precision and calmness under pressure. Read more about Nick Faldo's victory.
The Detroit Pistons, known as the "Bad Boys," won the NBA Championship on June 13, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers. This victory marked their first NBA title, celebrated for their tough defense and aggressive playing style. Learn more about the 1989 NBA Finals.
German tennis stars Boris Becker and Steffi Graf won the U.S. Open in September 1989. They dominated the tournament and showed their great talent on the court. Their wins marked a great time for German tennis. Read more about the 1989 U.S. Open.
Sports Illustrated named Joe Montana Sportsman of the Year. This accolade acknowledged his exceptional performance and leadership as the quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers. Montana's achievements cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Learn more about Joe Montana.
The Exxon Valdez oil spill, one of the most devastating environmental disasters, was a key part of what happened in 1989. It underscored the need for stronger environmental protections. The Exxon Valdez oil tanker spilled about 11 million gallons of oil into Prince William Sound, Alaska, on March 24. This spill led to significant environmental damage, impacting local wildlife and economy. Efforts to clean up the spill took many years. Learn more about the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
The Loma Prieta earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area on October 17, 1989. It caused major damage and led to the deaths of 63 people. The earthquake disrupted the World Series between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. This made it one of the most memorable and tragic events in American sports history. Read more about the Loma Prieta earthquake.
Eastern Airlines’ filing for bankruptcy was a significant chapter in what happened in 1989, signaling the decline of one of America’s most iconic airlines. On March 9, Eastern Airlines filed for bankruptcy, reflecting challenges in the aviation industry, including labor disputes and financial mismanagement. Learn more about Eastern Airlines.
The Savings and Loan crisis was a financial disaster. It caused over 1,000 savings and loan institutions to fail. This crisis peaked in the late 80's. This crisis had a significant impact on the U.S. economy. It also led to important changes in banking rules. Read more about the Savings and Loan crisis.
🦃1989 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade pic.twitter.com/WdZQ0QAn03
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) November 28, 2024
Take a trip down memory lane with the '89 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. ALF gave funny comments about the famous balloons, like Garfield and the Pink Panther. A memorable moment in holiday TV history.
🥛 ‘Milk. It does a body good.’ (1989) pic.twitter.com/QoBtrhrnTu
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) December 1, 2024
Discover the nostalgia of the "Milk, It Does a Body Good" campaign. This campaign celebrates milk for its health benefits. This slogan linked itself to the healthy image of milk. It encourages people to drink milk for strong bones and good health.
Fun Flashback to 1989 when Radio Shack was selling a Cell phone for $799 pic.twitter.com/Z7qHLn5qE9
— Ken Rutkowski (@kenradio) August 22, 2017
Take a trip back in time with this ad for a cellular phone from RadioShack. It shows the early days of mobile technology. See how communication devices have changed from the bulky, expensive phones of the '80s to today's slim smartphones.
🎄In December 1989, Hershey's first aired its ‘Christmas Bells’ Hershey’s Kisses commercial pic.twitter.com/AAjNMHrFed
— RetroNewsNow (@RetroNewsNow) December 17, 2023
Enjoy the classic charm of Hershey's "Christmas Bells" commercial. In this ad, Hershey's Kisses play a festive song. This beloved holiday ad first aired in '89. It still enchants viewers every season.
In eighty-nine, Huggies revolutionized potty training with Pull-Ups. These training pants combined the convenience of diapers with the ease of underwear. They featured fun designs and tear-away sides for easy changes. They help toddlers transition with confidence.
The Power Glove changed gaming in the late 80's with its motion-based control. Made for the Nintendo Entertainment System, it let players control games with hand movements. Its futuristic design captured imaginations, even if its functionality wasn’t perfect. The Power Glove remains a nostalgic icon of 1980s gaming culture.
For us, 1989 is more than a year of historic events—it’s the year Printing Partners was founded. While the world witnessed major turning points in politics, culture, and technology, we opened our doors in Indianapolis with a commitment to quality printing and customer service. More than three decades later, we continue to build on that foundation, growing alongside the changes that began in 1989.
