This week we go back to when Michael Keaton was Batman. the Soviets gave up on Afghanistan, and the Exxon Valdez  spilled 240,000 barrels of oil after running aground in Alaska’s Prince William Sound.

For the first time ever, the Internet is available via commercial service providers.

George H. W. Bush takes office as the 41st President.

The Little Mermaid, Batman, Dead Poet’s Society, Do The Right Thing, Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, Ghostbusters II, Honey I Shrunk The Kids, Back To The Future 2, Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Field of Dreams are all in theatres.

November 9th marks the first day in decades where movement between East and West Germany is unhindered. Eight days later, the Berlin Wall is torn down by East German officials, students and activists. The event marks the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union.

Skid Row is hired as opening act on Motley Crue’s Dr. Feelgood Tour and their eponymous debut is available on CD, Cassette and vinyl. The album has since gone platinum five times.

The Sega Genesis is released in North America.

Students begin protesting in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square Square spawning an iconic photo of a lone student standing off against a tank with only flowers in his hand.

Bleach by Nirvana is released.

The NBA says goodbye to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. His 20-season career in the NBA includes 19 All-Star Game appearances and 38,387 points scored. He is heralded as one of the most influential players of all time,

The Woodstock ’89 Festival takes place.

Army General Colin Powell becomes the first black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff after being nominated by President Bush.