Who made us laugh and cry in 1989? TIME recalls some of the world’s leading lights
I Do Solemnly Swear
President George H.W. Bush took the Oath of Office on January 20 as wife Barbara looks on. Indeed, the 200th anniversary of the Presidency was observed as Bush used the exact same Bible as George Washington did back in 1789. Bush's Inaugural Address was almost prophetic in its prediction of change: "For a new breeze is blowing, and a world refreshed by freedom seems reborn; for in man's heart, if not in fact, the day of the dictator is over."Wally McNamee/CORBIS
Vorsprung Durch Tennis
Germany's two best players, Boris Becker and Steffi dominated at Wimbledon, winning their respective singles titles. Becker was already a firm favorite with the crowd after becoming the first ever unseeded champion (as well as the youngest winner of a Grand Slam) at the age of 17 in 1985. Graf, meanwhile, defeated Martina Navratilova for the second year running while Becker beat defending champion Stefan Edberg. Both victories came in straight sets.PA
This Is The One
In the U.K., music only meant one thing: Madchester. Fusing indie rock with dance, it thrust the likes of northern bands such as Happy Mondays, the Inspiral Carpets, James and The Charlatans into the limelight. But Madchester was undoubtedly defined by The Stone Roses. Their eponymously titled debut album was (and still is) considered a classic and their live shows (notably an outdoor gig at Spike Island) were labeled a Woodstock for the Baggy generation.BRIAN RASIC/Rex Features
Happier Times
The Prince Of Wales and Princess Diana are seen riding their bikes with their sons William (right) and Harry while on vacation in the Scilly Isles. Three years later, the Royal couple separated and were granted an historic divorce by the Queen in 1996. The following year, Diana died in Paris.Daily Mail/Rex Features
Brothers in Arms
A still from Rain Man, the Barry Levinson directed movie which pretty much swept all before it at the Oscars this year. Rain Man walked away with Best Picture, Original Screenplay, Director, and Actor for Dustin Hoffman. Many felt that co-star Tom Cruise's performance was superior but he's yet to win one. TIME's Richard Schickel noted "Hoffman's meticulously observed performance."United Artists/Everett Collection
Flower Fad
Rock'n Flowers were yet another example of a toy that had a brief moment in the sun (and when you think about it, that's exactly what flowers need). Made by the Japanese company Takara, Rock'n Flowers responded to all sounds. Currently the subject of a fierce bidding war somewhere on eBay.Henry Groskinsky//Time Life Pictures/Getty
America’s Dad
The Cosby Show ran for eight seasons on NBC (ABC rejected it) between 1984-1992. It made a household name out of Bill Cosby and is considered to have paved the way for other African-American shows, such as In Living Color and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. The show is one of only two U.S. programs that have been #1 in the Nielsen Ratings for five consecutive seasons (All in the Family is the other one) and it won two Emmys and Golden Globes.Carsey-Werner Co./Everett Collection.
Down But Not Out
Future Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana is sacked by blitzing Cincinnati Bengals safety David Fulcher during Super Bowl XXIII in Miami, Florida. Montana would memorably drive his San Francisco 49ers down the field at the end of the fourth quarter to lead them to a 20-16 victory. He ended up winning four Super Bowls and remains the only player ever to win three Most Valuable Player awards.Al Messerschmidt/Getty
We Loved Lucy
Quite simply one of the biggest stars of the 20th Century, Lucille Ball passed away on April 26, 1989, at the age of 77. Ball was integral to the creation of her first major television series, I Love Lucy, which co-starred her then husband, Desi Arnaz. At its peak, in 1952-53, more than two-thirds of all homes with TV sets were tuned to Lucy. And among her many other achievements: a place in this very magazine's 100 Most Important People of the Century issue.Getty
