1988
Pound notes ceased to be legal tender, Scott and Charlene got married in Neighbours and wax jackets became a new trend.
News
- A Pan-Am jumbo jet exploded in mid-air over Lockerbie, killing 270 people.
- More than 30 people died in a train crash at Clapham Junction.
- Mikhail Gorbachev became President of the USSR, while George Bush became President of the United States.
- Margaret Thatcher became the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th century.
- Pound notes ceased to be legal tender in England and Wales.
What’s New?
- Comic Relief, GCSEs, Prozac.
- All-day opening at pubs across Britain.
Entertainment
- Red Dwarf, This Morning with Richard and Judy and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were new on our screens.
- Scott and Charlene were married in Neighbours.
- The Government announced plans for three new TV stations.
- Harry Enfield burst onto the TV comedy scene with his Loadsamoney and Stavros characters.
- Carry On stars Kenneth Williams and Charles Hawtrey died.
Box Office
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, Coming To America, Big, Die Hard, Beetle Juice, Twins, A Fish Called Wanda, Rambo III and Midnight Run.
Music
- Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday concert was held at Wembley.
- The Eurovision Song Contest winner was Celine Dion from Switzerland with ‘Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi’.
- Chet Baker and Roy Orbison died.
Top Hits of 1988
| No. | Artist | Title |
| #1 | Cliff Richard | Mistletoe And Wine |
| #2 | Yazz & The Plastic Population | The Only Way Is Up |
| #3 | Kylie Minogue | I Should Be So Lucky |
| #4 | Kylie Mingoue & Jason Donovan | Especially For You |
| #5 | Tiffany | I Think We’re Alone Now |
| #6 | Glenn Medeiros | Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You |
| #7 | Phil Collins | A Groovy Kind Of Love |
| #8 | Wet Wet Wet | With A Little Help From My Friends |
| #9 | The Hollies | He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother |
| #10 | Womack & Womack | Teardrops |
Sport
- Mike Gatting was sacked as England cricket captain for irresponsible off-field behaviour.
- Sandy Lyle became the first Briton to win the US Masters.
- Gary Kasparov became World Chess Champion.
- Liverpool won the 1st Division.
- Wimbledon beat Liverpool to win the FA Cup.
- Rhyme ‘n’ Reason won the Grand National.
