The Times
By the time Cortland students were studying for their midterms in October 1988, Mikhail Gorbachev was both the General Secretary of the Communist Party as well as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet giving him power over his party as well as the state. Through Gorbachev’s policies, the world learned two Russian words…Perestroika, a reforming of economic and political systems and Glasnost, a policy of increased transparency and freedom of information. By December 1988, Gorbachev’s speech at the United Nations outlined his “new thinking” in Soviet foreign policy and world cooperation forging a path to end the Cold War.
The world was stunned to learn of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. On December 21st, 1988, the tragedy hit close to home for Cortland students as 35 Syracuse University students were among the 270 people killed. The students were returning home for Christmas break from a semester of studying abroad in London and Florence. The bombing was determined to be a terrorist attack orchestrated by Libyan intelligence in retaliation for the downing of Iran Air Flight 655 by the US Navy.
By January 1989, President Ronald Reagan had given his farewell address and Iran’s Ayatollah Kohmeini issue a fatwa, calling for the death of Salman Rushdie for his book “The Satanic Verses” which was deemed blasphemous. In April 1989, five Black and Latino teenagers, known as the Central Park Five were convicted of the brutal assault and rape of the Central Park Jogger, 28-year-old investment banker Tricia Meili. Thirteen years later in 2002, the Central Park Five who were now young men, became the Exonerated Five after they were cleared of charges and released from jail after a serial rapist came forward.
Beginning in April 1989, Beijing university students gathered in Tiananmen Square for a series of protests calling for democracy, free speech, and a free press in China. Their demands drew wide public support, and millions joined the peaceful demonstrations that took place across China. As tensions escalated, martial law was declared and on the night of June 3rd, 1989, heavily armed troops and hundreds of armored vehicles moved to Tiananmen Square to clear the pro-democracy demonstrators. The next day, Chinese troops opened fire on the peaceful protesting students and workers, killing thousands and arrested tens of thousands across China. As of today, the Chinese government has heavily censored the incident, effectively erasing it from history.
Notable Events
- Mikhail Gorbachev – December1988
- Mikhail Gorbachev who was both the General Secretary of the Communist Party as well as the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet giving him power over his party as well as the state speaking at the United Nations General Assembly about world cooperation.
- Pan Am Flight 103 – Lockerbie, Scotland – December 21, 1988
- 25 Syracuse University students were tragically killed along with 270 passengers as well as those on the ground in Lockerbie, Scotland. The bombing was determined to be a terrorist attack orchestrated by Libya.
- Tiananmen Square – June 3, 1989
- Pro-Democracy students and workers protest in Tiananmen Square against government crackdown on the limits of basic human rights and the increase in corruption. Troops opened fire on the crowd killing thousands and arresting tens of thousands across the country.
CONCERTS THAT CAME TO CORTLAND 1988/1989
The Persuasions – 10/22/88 – Corey Function Room (Parents Weekend) Formed in Brooklyn NY in 1962, The Persuasions were an A Capella group who honed their craft singing under streetlights and in subway corridors. Their style combined gospel, soul, early rock and jazz into melodic five-part harmonies. A little-known fact is that the band was discovered by Frank Zappa. In 1969, Frank Zappa heard The Persuasions singing live over the phone in a New Jersey record shop and was so impressed that he flew the band to Los Angeles to record their first album “A Cappella.” They have released 23 studio albums.
Mike + The Mechanics (Escape Club opened) – 4/11/89 – PER Ice Arena Formed in 1985 by Mike Rutherford, founding member and guitarist of the British band Genesis, Mike +The Mechanics was formed as a side project while Genesis was on a hiatus. This side project turned Mike + The Mechanics into a worldwide supergroup. By the time the band performed at the Ice Arena they were supporting their highly successful second album “Living Years.” The title song topped the charts in the US and the UK and was the band’s biggest hit. Although the band broke up several times over the years, Mike + The Mechanics is still touring the world.
Escape Club – 4/11/89
The Escape Club, an English pop band formed in 1983. They became MTV stars through their unique videos. In 1989, while opening for the Mike + The Mechanics US tour, Escape Club was supporting their second album “Wild Wild West” with the title single reaching #1.