Flashback to 1989 - A Timeline of Life in America 

I graduated HS that year and wish i could go back every day

During the Loma Prieta earth quake I was a 43 year old police officer working in Marin County, Calif. (the north end of the Golden Gate bridge is anchored in Marin County) I had just called out for dinner at a restaurant while on my shift. A few minutes later the lights went out and the glass lights hanging overhead about 4 ft. a part started swinging and bashing into each other. A minute later I ran back to my car and started checking buildings in my area for gas leaks, injuries etc. The shift would last 24 hours before I got relieved to go to my home in Sonoma, County 30 miles north. I remember looking to the east and seeing fires burning in Oakland and Richmond, Calif across the bay. In the rear view mirror I could see fires burning in San Francisco and directly ahead to the north in the direction of my home town near Santa Rosa, Calif. fires were burning as well. I'm a retired two tour Vietnam combat Marine. I was used to see such scenes but not in our own neighborhoods. I finished a 30 year career there in 2003. I moved to Phoenix, AZ. in 2007.

I was 32 years old, and it was my 4th year working at Kmart. Back, when Kmart was owned by Kmart Corporation. I miss Kmart and Sear's. But, I still remember the Blue Light Specials at Kmart. I remember the new TV 📺Shows and Sitcoms that came on in 1989. I will be turning 65 years old. How Time ⏲️Flies By. P.S., I still remember all the Talk Shows that also came on TV 📺.

I was born in1989 and graduated from high school in 2008. Both of those years had an Indiana Jones movie and a Batman movie. And both Batman movies featured the Joker.

1989 was my most cherished year -- After knowing and dating my best friend for a few years, we married. Mot precious gift ever --- loving and being loved by an incredible, wonderful, kind, intelligent man. Though we had 30 odd years together - the time was too short. Still, 1989 remains such a wonderful year --- It always will be.

The 80s were definitely the best decade.

1989 I was 14 years of age. We saw; Bat Man Indiana Jones and the last Crusade. Tango and Cash. Road House and im sure other movies that same year. What an amazing time that will never be repeated.

I bought a 1987 IROC in 1989. So much fun that year living in Pensacola.

I was 30 yrs old that year. What a wonderful time it was but those days are gone. Thanks for sharing this with us that watch your channel. Outstanding job sir. Thanks.

1st year for Jr High for me. 12 years old back then. ❤

The year that I fell in love for the first time…the memories are bitter/sweet

This was the year I graduated. I remember a lot of what happened this year. So cool. Thank you, Recollection Road, for doing these videos. So great to remember the things that happened while I was growing up in the 80's.

I remember watching with tears (literally) of joy watching The Wall fall. Something I had never thought I would ever see in my life time and Eastern Europe eventually being freed.

The year I graduated from high school. Great memories.

I remember seeing batman the night before it came out at a prescreening. The theater was so packed we got the last seats all the way down in front and to the side. Spent the night at my friends house that night. The next day went to Great America with my friends and mooned people on the ride there and back.

I only have vague memories of 1989. I was delving deep into recreational pharmaceuticals at the time. Not my most shining moment. They say you live and you learn. I say I survived and smartened up.

89 the number, another summer (Get down) Sound of the funky drummer Music hittin' your heart 'cause I know you got soul! (Brothers and sisters!)

I joined the USAF in 1989. I was in Basic Training when Hugo hit SC. My flight never heard a word of that hurricane until graduation day. I was in Tech School at Lowry AFB when the San Fran quake hit. I had a girl in my class who was from San Francisco. It took her over a month to get a hold of her family via telephone. 1989 is a year I will always remember mostly because of my senior training instructor at basic training. He was a little Hitler and made that summer something I will never forget.

Just turned 21 and, did my last deployment(Westpac)and got out of the Navy(Honorable conditions). Back then, you had to serve 4yrs to get and honorable discharge and i signed up for 3. But i finally got my honorable discharge while i was in the Navy Reserve.

I was only 7 in '89. Life was a whole lot more simpler. ❤

I miss the 80's I found my true love ...lost her 4 years ago to cancer

I was a Navy Commander on the USS Wainwright when Hugo slammed into Charleston SC. My wife and kids spent the night under a table as our Navy house blew apart. We were forced to take the ship out to sea before it hit. Charleston Port Authority wouldn't let us back in after Hugo move on due to the extensive damage to the port. We anchored out watching the extraordinary and very visible storm damage before going to Jacksonville, Fl to pick up relief supplies. It was a heck of an experience.

I graduated in 89. Good times!

Also in 1989… Generations premiered on NBC. Now You See It returns to CBS with new host, Chuck Henry. “Tango & Cash” starring Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell was released. The Mickey Mouse Club returns and aired on The Disney Channel. Their version was videotaped at Disney-MGM Studios in Florida, now Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Teen Win, Lose or Draw hosted by Marc Price premiered on The Disney Channel. Actress Rebecca Schaeffer of “My Sister Sam” murdered at her apartment building in Los Angeles by Robert John Bardo. She was 21 years old.

The year Pete Rose got railroaded. He will always be a baseball star to me.

Was a great year,most of it at least

I was born this year. I'm 33 today and to think I was brought into this world and existed during some of these historic moments blows my little mind. I was born on January 2nd a day after this year started. The world would never be the same once I came of age, my looks were so dashing and my intelligence unheard of. People started imitating my style and I started a revolution that changed humankind forever. I am the definition of sexy, I am the pinnacle of intelligence.

one of my favorite Don Bluth movies came out in 1989 (All Dogs Go to Heaven), the only problem was I was just one year old when it did. I don't remember the 80s but I do remember the 90s. I miss the 90s so much. It is sad that Judith Barsy did not get to see it. So I just have to say rest in peace Judith Barsy and thank you Don Bluth for making my favorite animated movie of 1989 and my 90s childhood. :)

the end of the 80s and it wouldn't be the same ever again. the music ; the TV shows . life wasn't the same.

This is so cool. I was 12 in '89. I completely remember all these things! Esp. the earthquake. I lived in Marin County and we felt it big time as well.

damn.. I was 29.. I turn 62 in a few days.. it doesn't seem that long ago?

Gosh, 1988 and 1989 were probably the best years of my young life. I was on top of the world, and anything seemed possible. Awesome decade, awesome memories.

I lived in San Jose California when the earthquake hit. My son was born in January of 1989.

The year i came into the world July 20 1989..I'm blessed to be an 80s baby

The earthquake disturbing the 1989 World Series was bad. At the end, the A's win in a clean sweep against the Giants.

Also in 1989… NBC Tower in Chicago opened and the new home for WMAQ-TV with studios to produce National shows like Jenny Jones, Jerry Springer, etc.

I was 0 years old in 1989. Greatest year of my life

I was right in the middle of the Loma Prieta quake. I had just left work and was on Army St in S.F. Fun times!

The marketing for the Batman movie was simple but brilliant: BAT SYMBOL

I started high school in 1989. Seems like a simple time compared to today.

US Billboard Hot 100 number one singles for 1989 JAN 7 Poison - Every Rose Has Its Thorn (also #1 on 12/24-31/1988) JAN 14 Bobby Brown - My Prerogative JAN 21-28 Phil Collins - Two Hearts (from "Buster") FEB 4 Sheriff - When I'm in Love (recorded in the early 1980s) FEB 11-25 Paula Abdul - Straight Up MAR 4-18 Debbie Gibson - Lost in Your Eyes MAR 25 Mike + the Mechanics - The Living Years APR 1 The Bangles - Eternal Flame APR 8 Roxette - The Look APR 15 Fine Young Cannibals - She Drives Me Crazy APR 22-MAY 6 Madonna - Like a Prayer MAY 13 Bon Jovi - I'll Be There For You MAY 20-27 Paula Abdul - Forever My Girl JUNE 3 Michael Damian - Rock On JUNE 10 Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings JUNE 17 New Kids on the Block - I'll Be Loving You (Forever) JUNE 24 Richard Marx - Satisfied JULY 1 Milli Vanilli - Don't Forget My Number JULY 8 Fine Young Cannibals - Good Thing JULY 15 Simply Red - If You Don't Know Me By Now JULY 22-29 Martika - Toy Soldiers AUG 5 Prince - Batdance AUG 12-26 Richard Marx - Right Here Waiting SEPT 2 Paula Abdul - Cold Hearted SEPT 9 New Kids on the Block - Hangin' Tough SEPT 16 Gloria Estefan - Don't Wanna Lose You SEPT 23-30 Milli Vanilli - Girl I'm Gonna Miss You OCT 7-28 Janet Jackson - Miss You Much NOV 4 Roxette - Listen To Your Heart NOV 11-18 Bad English - When I See You Smile NOV 25-DEC 2 Milli Vanilli - Blame it On the Rain DEC 9-16 Billy Joel - We Didn't Start the Fire DEC 23-30 Phil Collins - Another Day in Paradise (also #1 on JAN 6-13, 1990)

Love these videos!

Next week we start the 1990's with 1990 Flashback.

Also in 1989… “Prancer” starring Sam Elliott, Cloris Leachman, Michael Constantine and Rebecca Harrell was released. Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park opened at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, now Disney’s Hollywood Studios. TV shows have ended that year… $ale of the Century, hosted by Jim Perry and Summer Bartholomew on NBC Super Password, hosted by Bert Convy on NBC. Card Sharks, hosted by Bob Eubanks on CBS. The New Hollywood Squares, hosted by John Davidson in Syndication. Small Wonder in Syndication. The New Leave It To Beaver on TBS. Family Ties on NBC.

Major Professional Sports Champions in 1989 World Series: Oakland Athletics sweep San Francisco Giants, four games to zero. NBA Finals: Detroit Pistons sweep Los Angeles Lakers, four games to zero. Super Bowl XXIII: San Francisco 49ers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 16. Stanley Cup Finals: Calgary Flames beat Montreal Canadiens, four games to two. NCAA Division I Major Sports Champions in 1989 College World Series: Wichita State Shockers. Basketball: Michigan Wolverines (men), Tennessee Volunteers (women) Football: Miami Hurricanes.

I lived through Hugo in Charlotte NC, hurricane force winds 200 miles from the coast dropped hundreds if not 1000s of trees in the area. I was without power for 10 days in a new Condo. It truly was survival mode for the city the first week, finding food and groceries at anywhere with power.

The Scorpions “Winds of Change “ comes to mind. ‘89 wasn’t a bad year for me. Good interest rates at the bank, and jobs were easier to find and there was something called discretionary income, lower healthcare costs, food was cheap, etc.

Great video! Lots of history was made during this year!

Married....With Children was way better than Seinfield.

1960s tv stars survivors in 1989 Michael Landon (53) Diahann Carroll (54) Kent McCord (47) Larry Hagman (58) Karen Valentine (41) Peggy Lipton (42)

The day Gameboy was released in North America was the day the legendary "Death of a Goldfish" episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from 1970 aired on PBS for the final time.

My early childhood !

I graduated high school that year. 🎓

I miss those times.

Hugo came all the way inland to Charlotte NC, some 200 hundred miles. Some folks did not have power for a couple months.

Turned 30 that year - pre internet. Good memories.

This was the year I was born. Damn. How things have evolved and changed since then.

This is to year I graduated high school... I wore a pink long sleeve polo shirt with a narrow blue tie and a pair of 501 jeans with white sneakers. California

LOL I was 26 or so, in Mayport Florida, between deployments, so I was partying too much to remember a lot of these events! ;)

1989 , I turned 15 years old & was in the 10th grade

One of the best years in pop music and all its subgenres

Still the best Batman !!!!

1989 is when a star was born

I was 12 yrs old in the sixth grade and anxiously waiting for the weekand to see batman.

Even though the first short appearance was mentioned in the '87 Flashback, on DECEMBER 17TH the Fox broadcast network debuted the first full episode of The Simpsons, which on February, 2022 is still running after 717 episodes. Believe it is at least the 2nd longest running (# of episodes) animated show worldwide after the Dragon Ball franchise (there maybe someone else, but I can't remember).

The 89 world series was unfair because the earthquake gap allow Oaklands top pitchers Dave Stewart and Mike Moore to dominate and each pitch 2 games with plenty of rest.

Best decade ever and the best memories ever.b😊

I was 4 and my mother took me to see Batman! I will never forget, then the turtles movie at the turn of the decade! Greatest times as a child

This was my first year in which I still hold some vague memories. As a 4 year old I remember a vacation where I went on a ride on a gondola in Venice Italy and a camel in Egypt. I dressed up as Batman on Halloween. That's about it I think...

I was a freshman in high school

1989 was a great year! Not that it was part of the 80's, but, that it had it's own time in the 80's! I like the presentation of these videos! There's a lot of information here! Great Video! Thanks

Can't believe you left out Tiananmen Square.

One year later, in October of 1990, at 27, I got the worst, most unexpected news of my life - I somehow "tested positive for the AIDS virus" as my doctor informed me. It's been quite a "life", certainly not what I expected, but I am grateful every day God gives me. Be good to people - too much darkness in the world these days and do the best you can, believe in "goodness" and be happy.

I was attending International Business College working on a diploma in Computerized Accounting.

1989 was the year my sister graduated High School as she graduated from Nottingham (Hamilton North) High School in Hamilton Township, NJ. Would go on a cruise for the first time when our family did the DISNEY/PREMIER CRUISE week where we went to WALT DISNEY WORLD for four nights with a three night PREMIER CRUISE to The Bahamas. Plus my folks took over Weinstein's Deli officially from it's original owners. Other things that happened that year was my cousin Michelle graduated high school, my aunt revealed she was pregnant with my cousin Rebecca, and would fly from Newark International Airport for the last time, and started flying from Philadelphia International Airport for future trips.

Batman was huge that summer

I was 9 years old back in 89. We had good movies I remember we went to go see Ghostbusters 2

Seems like only yesterday!, I turned 27 in 1989

One event missing - Inauguration Day, Friday, January 20th, 1989, and I was there, rather close for the general audience. The only Inauguration Day I have been to so far. The peaceful transfer of power in the United States of America from Ronald Reagan (40) to George H. W. Bush (41) on a very cold and clear day, if I recall correctly.

And in 1989, Rozalia came over to my apartment after church in that purple dress. 😁

I was 9 years old back in 1989 in the 4th grade I remember we went to go see Ghostbusters 2 at the movies and Batman. And uncle Buck. And I remember Aresnio hall started his late night talk show which is an classic.

Hurricane Hugo was also filmed on a whole episode of Rescue 911 back in 1991.

Junior in high school at this time and my favorite year by far

How can You forgot a iconic legend of 1989 who is a biggest pop icon of all time 😏.

Class of 89 here.... can't believe we're 50!?!?!

Thank you for your thoughtful videos. I'm curious as to why the historic Tiananmen Square was left out of this video? Your work is appreciated

1989 was a great year. I got married and moved to then West Germany with my wife. I was in the USAF living in a small village. We traveled Western Europe and enjoyed seeing many landmarks. Then the fall of the wall. The East Germans were much more excited about it than the West Germans. It was a great year for music, movies and travel. Still together! 🇺🇸🇩🇪

Rest In Peace in 1989 Bette Davis Victor French Laurence Olivier Lucille ball

No mention of the Tiananmen Square massacre? Does China's malevolent influence extend to Recollection Road?

And I got my first two tattoos in the Phillipines. Good times indeed.

You forgot Madonna's controversial Like A Prayer video that through many into hysteria LOL...i remember everything else in this clip but strongly remember the Madonna because it made massive headlines.

And over in England this year we had the terrible Hillsborough Football stadium disaster in which nearly 100 people were crushed to death and the 33rd anniversary of this awful day was yesterday (15th April), the Kegworth aircraft accident where the pilot narrowly missed crashing onto a Motorway, Arsenal sensationally became League Champions with the last kick of the season, Liverpool won an emotional F.A. Cup final, Nottingham Forest won the League Cup.

i was 10 years old that year.

My favorite year!

Champions of 1989 Super Bowl XXIII Champion: San Francisco 49ers Stanley Cup Champion: Montreal Canadiens NBA Champions: Detroit Pistons World Series Champions: Oakland A's

Also in 1989, Sports Illustrated for Kids, a Sports Illustrated spinoff was launched. The first cover of the magazine was Basketball hall of famer, Michael Jordan. They have sports cards and posters. Other athletes were on the cover before including Barry Sanders, Jerry Rice, Kevin Johnson, Grant Hill, Wayne Grazety, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, Nolan Ryan, Steve Yzerman, Dominick Hasek, Patrick Roy, Brett Hull, Derek Jeter, Iaish Thomas, and more. 2 of my cousins love to read Sports Illustrated for Kids as well as me in the early years.

Also during April-June 1989, Ryoba Aishi, a high school murderer, made national headlines of her actions.

NEW CARS INTRODUCED IN 1989 FOR 1990 MODEL YEAR: CHRYSLER CORPORATION: Eagle Premier, Eagle Summit, Plymouth Laser, Eagle Talon, Dodge Monaco (FWD), Chrysler Imperial (FWD), Chrysler Town & Country (Minivan) FORD MOTOR COMPANY: Lincoln Town Car (restyled) GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION: GEO Storm, Chevrolet Lumina, Chevrolet Lumina APV, Pontiac Trans Sport, Oldsmobile Silhouette DISCONTINUED: Dodge Omni, Plymouth Horizon, Chrysler TC by Maserati, Lincoln Mark VII, Chevrolet Celebrity, Chevrolet Monte Carlo (RWD).

When Michael Keaton was the Batman!!

It's shocking to believe how small the death toll was for the SF earthquake.