When Nintendo released the Game Boy in 1989, it revolutionized the world of handheld gaming - or even more fundamentally - how we perceive video games in our everyday lives.
Looking back, do you realize that it has been 35 years since? Time is a curious thing, and as kids of the late 80s and 90s, we sometimes cannot fully comprehend how long ago it’s been or how old we have become ;)
What else was happening in the world during that time? Let's make you feel old and take a look at 9 events that occurred in 1989, when the Game Boy became a part of our lives and changed gaming forever:
1. Fall of the Berlin Wall
In November 1989, the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin for 28 years, finally came down. This event marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War.
2. Tiananmen Square Protests
In June 1989, pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square were brutally suppressed by the Chinese government. The world watched in horror as the military cracked down on the demonstrators.
3. Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
In March 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Alaska, causing one of the worst environmental disasters in history. Millions of gallons of oil spilled into Prince William Sound, devastating the local ecosystem.
4. The Simpsons Premieres
In December 1989, the first episode of the long-running animated series "The Simpsons" aired on television. The show would go on to become a cultural phenomenon.
5. First Modern GPS Satellite Launch
Other than late 70s early NAVSTAR satellites, In February 1989, the first modern GPS satellite was launched into space. This event marked the beginning of a new era in navigation and location technology. The first modern Block-II satellite was launched, and the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991 was the first conflict in which the military widely used GPS.
6. End of the Soviet-Afghan War
In February 1989, the Soviet Union officially withdrew its troops from Afghanistan, ending a decade-long conflict that had cost thousands of lives.
7. Madonna's "Like a Prayer" Album
In March 1989, Madonna released her iconic album "Like a Prayer," which included hits like the title track and "Express Yourself." The album was a commercial and critical success.
8. Voyager 2 Neptune Flyby
In August 1989, NASA's Voyager 2 spacecraft made its closest approach to Neptune, sending back stunning images of the distant planet and its moons.
9. First Internet Domain Name Registered
In March 1989, the first internet domain name, symbolics.com, was registered. This event marked the beginning of the commercial internet as we know it today.
