🇬🇧United Kingdom · 90s
The End of Thatcher
Poll tax riots, Gazza's tears, and Thatcher falls.
4 milestones of 1990
After 11 years, Thatcher was forced out by her own party. She cried in the back of her car leaving Downing Street. John Major succeeded her. The most transformative PM since Attlee was gone.
Politically divisive — factual. She transformed Britain; opinions on how differ sharply.
200,000 people marched against the poll tax in Trafalgar Square. It turned into the worst riot in London for a century. The poll tax destroyed Thatcher.
Civil unrest — acknowledge legitimate grievance against regressive taxation
Paul Gascoigne cried after being booked in England's World Cup semi-final against West Germany. England lost on penalties. 'Gazza's tears' became the iconic image of Italia 90.
Britain had been deeply involved in the anti-apartheid movement. Mandela's release was celebrated across the country. The Free Mandela campaign had helped make it happen.
70% local · 30% international
nuns on the run
Jonathan Lynn — Eric Idle and Robbie Coltrane. British comedy.
The Krays
Peter Medak — The Kemp brothers as London's most notorious gangsters.
Ghost
Jerry Zucker — Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. Date night cinema.
Hardware
Richard Stanley — Major UK release — TMDB 5.9
The Witches
Nicolas Roeg — Major UK release — TMDB 6.9
Italia 90 coverage
Jun-Jul 1990 — 'World in Motion,' Gazza's tears, Pavarotti's 'Nessun Dorma.' Football as opera.
One Foot in the Grave
1990-2000 — 'I don't believe it!' Victor Meldrew's eternal catchphrase.
Mr. Bean
1990-1995 — Rowan Atkinson's physical comedy genius. Global phenomenon.
Currency: GBP
Inflation: 9.5%
Recession hitting. Interest rates at 15%. House prices falling. The Lawson boom was over.
Inflation-adjusted values
Tim Berners-Lee's Web
The World Wide Web was being developed at CERN — by a Brit.
Sky TV merger
BSB and Sky merged into BSkyB. Satellite TV was here to stay.
Nintendo Game Boy
Handheld gaming took over school playgrounds.
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