World Events in 1992
Barcelona Olympic Games
The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona were the first since 1972 without a boycott. The US Dream Team, featuring Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, dominated basketball.
Black Wednesday
On 16 September, the UK was forced to withdraw the pound from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism after failing to keep it above its minimum level. The debacle cost the UK an estimated £3.3 billion.
Bill Clinton Elected President
Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton defeated incumbent George H.W. Bush and independent candidate Ross Perot. His campaign famously centred on the phrase 'It's the economy, stupid.'
Siege of Sarajevo Begins
The Bosnian Serb army began the longest siege in modern warfare history in April 1992. The siege of Sarajevo would last nearly four years and claim over 11,000 lives.
Los Angeles Riots
Riots erupted across Los Angeles after four LAPD officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King. The unrest lasted six days, killed 63 people, and caused over $1 billion in damage.
Music in 1992
"I Will Always Love You"
Whitney Houston
From The Bodyguard soundtrack, Whitney Houston's cover of the Dolly Parton classic became one of the best-selling singles of all time and dominated the end of 1992.
"End of the Road"
Boyz II Men
The R&B ballad spent a then-record 13 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, breaking Elvis Presley's long-standing record.
#1 Film of 1992
Aladdin
Box Office: $504 million worldwide
Disney's animated musical featured Robin Williams as the Genie in a show-stealing performance. It was part of the Disney Renaissance that revitalised animated filmmaking.
Born in 1992
Cardi B
Rapper and the first solo female artist to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album
Daisy Ridley
British actress who played Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy
Neymar
Brazilian football superstar who played for Barcelona and PSG
Demi Lovato
Singer, songwriter, and actress known for pop and R&B hits
Lost in 1992
Benny Hill
British comedian famous for The Benny Hill Show
Age 68
Marlene Dietrich
German-American actress and singer, one of Hollywood's golden age icons
Age 90
Isaac Asimov
Prolific science fiction author of the Foundation series and I, Robot
Age 72
Frankie Howerd
British comedian and star of Up Pompeii!
Age 75
Technology in 1992
Text messaging (SMS) was sent for the first time. Windows 3.1 became the dominant PC operating system. The term 'surfing the Internet' was coined, though very few people had actually been online. Sega and Nintendo battled fiercely in the console wars.
- ● First SMS text message sent ('Merry Christmas')
- ● Windows 3.1 released, selling a million copies in two months
- ● IBM Simon, considered the first smartphone, was demonstrated
- ● Wolfenstein 3D launched the first-person shooter genre
Cost of Living in 1992
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £60,257 | $103,000 |
| Average salary | £14,886 | $31,500 |
| Pint of milk | 27p | $0.57 |
| Loaf of bread | 54p | $0.74 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.06 | $1.03 |
| Pint of beer | £1.25 | $2.20 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £2.00 | $1.13 |
| Cinema ticket | £3.00 | $4.15 |
Shop 1992 memorabilia on eBay/Amazon
The Zeitgeist of 1992
Grunge went fully mainstream with flannel shirts and Doc Martens. Euro 92 in Sweden saw Denmark shock the football world. Wayne's World brought 'Excellent!' and 'Party on!' into everyday vocabulary. Whitney Houston's cover of I Will Always Love You was inescapable.
In the News in 1992
Black Wednesday saw the pound crash out of the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, humiliating John Major's government. Bill Clinton defeated George H.W. Bush for the US presidency. The Church of England voted to allow the ordination of women.