* The British goverment under John Major withdrew the pound from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM) on September 17, causing the housing market to crash and arguably leading to a recession. The day became known as Black Wednesday.

* The Conservative government had been re-elected a mere five months before.

* Silence of the Lambs won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and its stars Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster won the Best Actor and Best Actress awards.

* Bill Clinton became President of the United States, beating George Bush and Ross Perot. During the campaign, then Vice President Dan Quayle caused a stir when he spelled potato “potatoe” at a children’s spelling bee.

* The Queen had an annus horriblus, with scandals including the separations of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of York affecting her family, and a fire at Windsor Castle.

* The FA Premier League was officially formed.

* The Church of England allowed women to become priests for the first time.

* In China, market reforms led by Deng Xiaoping led to the establishment of a socialist market economy, paving the way for the country’s economic growth in the 21st century.

* Nevermind by Nirvana hit the No.1 spot in the American charts.

* The UK suffered its worst drought since 1745.

* Disneyland Paris opened its doors under the name EuroDisney.

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