Liverpool are two wins away from a historic league title, their first in 30 years. Most football supporters probably do not remember the reds last lifting a league trophy.
A lot has changed in the world in the last three decades so let us take a look down memory lane and what was happening in 1990. Get ready to feel old.
Biggest news stories of the year
Easily the biggest story of the year 1990 was the release of Nelson Mandela from Prison after 27 years on February 11, 1990. The first 18 of his 27 years in jail at the brutal Robben Island Prison. Confined to a small cell without a bed or plumbing.
There was bad news for one politician though, although Liverpool probably celebrated this as much as the league title, following the poll tax riots where 340 people were arrested and 113 were injured, Margaret Thatcher was forced to call it a day after failing to secure enough support in the second round of the leadership election.
Western Alliance ends Cold War after almost half a century and proposes joint action with Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.
East and West Germany reunited on the 3rd October 1990, a year after the Berlin wall was brought down the country became unified once more.
TV and Movies
The first episode of The fresh prince of Bel Air aired. It follows Will Smith as a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his wealthy uncle and aunt in their Bel Air mansion after getting into a fight in his hometown.
The Simpsons first series was on TV although the first episode aired 16th December 1989 the first series carried on into the new decade, it is now in its 30 season and is the longest running sitcom currently on TV.
Twin Peaks is an American mystery horror drama television series first aired in April 1990, although it was cancelled after seasons it has gained a cult following and is now a popular media reference.
Beverly Hills, 90210 also appeared first on our screens at the turn of the 90’s it was an American teen drama television series.
The films that were popular when Liverpool last lifted the league title were
The Christmas classic Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin, having to survive been left home alone at Christmas and defend his house from two burglars.
Martin Scorsese’s classic the Goodfellas. The story of Henry Hill and his life in the mob, covering his relationship with his wife Karen Hill and his mob partners Jimmy Conway and Tommy DeVito in the Italian-American crime syndicate
The finale to the Godfather was released on Christmas day 1990 it completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia kingpin who attempts to legitimize his criminal empire.
Sporting Events
West Germany beat Argentina 1-0 for football’s 14th World Cup in Italy in 1990. The USA had qualified for the first time in 40 years, though lost all three of its first-round games.
This was England’s best feat at a World Cup since ’66, they reached the semis eventually losing to West Germany on penalties this was the famous Gazza tears.
Manchester United won the FA Cup beating Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to a Lee Martin goal, this was after drawing 3-3 in the first game. It was Manchester United’s first major trophy under the management of Alex Ferguson. It is often debated that if Manchester United lost the match, Alex Ferguson would have been sacked as Manchester United manager.
AC Milan won the European Cup beating Benfica 1-0, they were the last team to defend the European Cup before Real Madrid won three Champions League’s in a row
Sir Nick Faldo won the golf masters (his second win) and went on to win the British Open and became the second man since Tom Watson in 1982 to achieve this feat. At age 45.
Mike Tyson was this year’s highest earner with earnings of 28.6 million USD, even though Buster Douglas defeated Tyson by a knockout in round 10 to win the world’s unified Heavyweight title, in what many consider boxing’s biggest upset ever
1990 was a year where many future legends of the game were born. Players like German world cup winner Toni Kroos who scored a hat trick against Brazil in the semifinal of the 2014 soccer world cup. Former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki was also born in 1990. The woman who has taken world cricket by storm, Australian Ellyse Perry was also born in 1990. Other notable people born were Mario Balotelli and Tao Li.
Music
The 90’s were defined by music from the arrival of Brit pop, or acid house the music made and changed the decade.
Starting the year Sinead O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U spent four weeks at number one. Followed by New Order’s World Cup hit World in Motion spent a futher four weeks top of the charts, made famous for its John Barnes rap it was hit of the summer as England had great success at the World Cup.
Wedding DJ’s favourite Bombalurin Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini was released and somehow climbed up the charts sitting on top for three whole weeks. Another Party favourite Vanilla Ice Ice Ice Baby was spending time at the top for a couple of weeks at the end of the year. The bestselling single of the year 1990 was The Righteous Brothers Unchained Melody.
Hopefully I have not made you feel old by this little trip back in the past and while now we won’t have to look back 30 years since Liverpool last won the league. I am hoping as a Manchester United fan I shall be doing this again in 30 years so it means the red half of Liverpool are not winning titles again.
