World Events in 1993
World Trade Center Bombing
On 26 February, a truck bomb exploded beneath the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York, killing six people and injuring over a thousand. It was the first major terrorist attack on the WTC.
European Union Established
The Maastricht Treaty came into force on 1 November, formally establishing the European Union. It set the framework for a single currency and common foreign and security policy.
Oslo Accords Signed
Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organisation signed the Oslo Accords on the White House lawn on 13 September. The historic handshake between Yitzhak Rabin and Yasser Arafat raised hopes for Middle East peace.
Battle of Mogadishu (Black Hawk Down)
On 3-4 October, US forces attempting to capture a Somali warlord's lieutenants were ambushed in Mogadishu. Two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down, and 18 American soldiers were killed.
Murder of James Bulger
Two-year-old James Bulger was abducted and murdered by two ten-year-old boys in Liverpool in February. The case shocked Britain and sparked a national debate about childhood crime and the nature of evil.
Music in 1993
"I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)"
Meat Loaf
The epic rock ballad spent seven weeks at number one in the UK and became Meat Loaf's biggest hit, a dramatic comeback after years of declining sales.
"I Will Always Love You"
Whitney Houston
Carrying over from late 1992, Whitney Houston's powerhouse ballad from The Bodyguard was the best-selling single of 1993 in the US, spending a total of 14 weeks at number one.
#1 Film of 1993
Jurassic Park
Box Office: $914 million worldwide
Steven Spielberg's dinosaur blockbuster broke box office records and revolutionised CGI in cinema. Audiences were genuinely awestruck by the lifelike dinosaurs on screen.
Born in 1993
Ariana Grande
Pop superstar known for hits like Thank U, Next and her powerhouse vocals
Niall Horan
Irish singer and member of One Direction
Harry Kane
England football captain and prolific Premier League goalscorer
Zayn Malik
Singer who found fame in One Direction before a successful solo career
Patrick Mahomes
NFL quarterback and multiple Super Bowl champion with the Kansas City Chiefs
Lost in 1993
Audrey Hepburn
Hollywood icon and star of Breakfast at Tiffany's and Roman Holiday
Age 63
Bobby Moore
England's 1966 World Cup-winning captain, widely regarded as the finest defender ever
Age 51
Dizzy Gillespie
Jazz trumpet virtuoso and pioneer of bebop
Age 75
Pablo Escobar
Colombian drug lord and head of the Medellin Cartel
Age 44
Technology in 1993
The Mosaic web browser made the internet accessible to ordinary people for the first time. Intel launched the Pentium processor. Doom arrived and changed gaming forever. Mobile phones were still large and expensive but becoming more visible.
- ● Mosaic web browser released, popularising the World Wide Web
- ● Intel Pentium processor launched
- ● Doom released by id Software, revolutionising PC gaming
- ● Adobe Acrobat and the PDF format introduced
Cost of Living in 1993
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £58,096 | $106,000 |
| Average salary | £15,230 | $32,000 |
| Pint of milk | 28p | $0.58 |
| Loaf of bread | 55p | $0.75 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.08 | $0.98 |
| Pint of beer | £1.30 | $2.30 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £2.10 | $1.11 |
| Cinema ticket | £3.10 | $4.14 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1993
Britpop was bubbling up with Suede releasing their debut album. Jurassic Park made everyone afraid of velociraptors. Premier League football was in its exciting second season, transforming English football with Sky TV money. Beavis and Butt-Head were MTV staples.
In the News in 1993
The IRA detonated a massive bomb in Bishopsgate, London, causing over a billion pounds in damage. The Maastricht Treaty came into force, creating the European Union. James Bulger's murder shocked Britain to its core.