The first “The Simpsons” cartoon short is shown on The Tracey Ullman Show during April. The series aired on the newly launched Fox television network and a total of 48 Simpsons shorts were shown before they were turned into their own series in 1989. The characters were initially voiced by actors on The Tracey Ullman Show who would go on to continue voicing them for the full length series.
The popular television sitcom, “Full House,” debuts on ABC during September. The show starred Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Jodie Sweetin, Candace Cameron, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The plot revolved around a father raising his three daughters with the help of his friends and family in the wake of the unexpected death of his wife. The show was a part of the TGIF prime time family-oriented block of shows. Full House was on the air for 8 seasons until 1995.
The SN 1987A supernova became the first observable by the naked-eye supernova to be seen from Earth since 1604 when the light from the exploding star began reaching Earth in February. It could be seen from the Southern Hemisphere and it was at its brightest in May of that year. The supernova occurred when a massive star collapsed and exploded. It destroyed the star and sent out shock waves that potentially created new stars through the huge release of energy. Due to its proximity and timing SN 1987A has become on of the most studied events in the history of astronomy.
More than a year after it was released in Japan, North America and Europe received releases of Legend of Zelda on the Nintendo Entertainment System in cartridge format, making the game the first home console title to include an internal battery for saving data.
October 14: The United States is caught up in a drama that unfolds on television as 18-month-old Jessica McClure falls down a well in her aunt's backyard in Midland, Texas. Between that day and October 16, rescuers worked for 58 consecutive hours to free her from the eight-inch (20 cm) well casing 22 feet (6.7 m) below the ground.
December: The very first Final Fantasy video game is released by Square in Japan. The game was designed for the original Nintendo Entertainment System and was considered a critical and commercial success. It was reported to have sold about 400,000 copies during its original release and went on to sell nearly 2 million more copies worldwide in subsequent releases. The Final Fantasy games were developed into a well-loved series of video games, spawning several follow-up games, various merchandise, soundtracks, and even films.
January: Soul singer Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the first female artist to be included in the hall of fame which had began during the previous year. Some of Franklin’s popular songs included “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” She also boasted an impressive total hit singles and has won over 30 awards.
Hurricane force winds hit much of the South of England killing 23 people. winds approaching 120 mph gusts strike the south coast from Cornwall to Kent. The storm caused substantial damage over much of England, bringing down an estimated 15 million trees. Damage to property ranged from windows blown out to roofs being taken out and damage costs were estimated at £7.3 billion with 23 deaths. It was the worst storm in the UK in more than 200 years.
June 30 - Canada introduces a $1 coin, commonly called loonie; the dollar bill is withdrawn in 1989. This was proposed as a cost saving measure - it was argued that banknotes lasted only a couple of years, whereas the coins would last a couple of decades and save millions in printing costs. There was also pressure from vending machine operators, transit companies and cities in relation to parking meters who wanted to raise prices in coin operated equipment.