These 31 Throwback Photos Perfectly Capture 1989

Written by Alina Wang on June 5, 2025

Split image: On the left, two men in suits smile and gesture at the camera, one holding a trophy. On the right, a young person in pajamas sits on a couch, holding a Game Boy box and another gift, smiling.

The year 1989 did not tiptoe in — it burst onto the scene with big hair, neon colors, and a fighting spirit that refused to be ignored. It was the year when the Cold War cracked, the Berlin Wall crumbled, and students in Tiananmen Square risked everything in the name of freedom.

Amid all the chaos and change, pop culture also thrived — from the launch of the Nintendo Game Boy to the rise of cable TV and Blockbuster. And while history played out on the world stage, everyday life carried on in living rooms, disco parties, and school hallways across the globe. Here are 31 vintage photos that show what life looked like in 1989.

1. I Mean, Just Look at Those Hairstyles

Nine high school yearbook portraits from the 1980s feature young men and women in formal attire, with various hairstyles popular at the time, each smiling at the camera. Their names are handwritten below each photo. — NoahTheAttacker

2. People Walking Through Times Square in New York City

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3. Crowds Gather Around the Berlin Wall Moments Before It Begins to Fall in November 1989, Marking the Symbolic End of the Cold War and the Beginning of German Reunification

A large crowd sits and stands on top of the Berlin Wall, with one person standing with arms outstretched. People and media gather below, capturing the historic event. The wall is covered in graffiti. — UserDeleted

4. Madonna Showing Off Her Dance Moves at a Charity Event for AIDS

A woman wearing a hat, sunglasses, black leather jacket, white shirt, high-waisted denim shorts, white socks, and black shoes dances energetically at a crowded indoor event with others in the background. — Same_Possibility4769

5. ‘Class Photo, 1989’

A group of high school students pose for a class photo in the 1980s. The students wear a variety of hairstyles and clothing, with one person in the center featuring short bleached hair and a black graphic t-shirt. — SuffrnSuccotash

6. A Man Hammers Away at the Wall as East German Soldiers Watch From Atop the Concrete Barrier

A man swings a hammer to break the Berlin Wall, while onlookers and soldiers watch from both sides; the wall is covered in graffiti. — marsolino

7. DJ Jazzy Jeff and Will Smith Pose for a Picture After Winning ‘Best Rap Video’ at the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles

Two men stand together smiling and making peace signs. One holds a trophy. Both are dressed in stylish suits, posing against a plain backdrop at an event. — Djf47021

8. George H. W. Bush is Sworn in as the 41st President of the United States on January 20, 1989

A man in a suit raises his right hand while being sworn in by a judge. A woman with white hair stands beside him, and several people in formal attire watch in the background. — Wikipedia Commons

9. Michael Jackson and Eddie Murphy at the 1989 American Music Awards (AMA)

Two men in black and red outfits stand together at the American Music Awards. One holds a trophy. A backdrop with "American Music Awards" logos is behind them. — UserDeleted

10. A Section of the Berlin Wall Is Hoisted Away as East German Soldiers Look on in Resignation and Defeat

A crowd gathers as a large segment of the Berlin Wall is removed. People on both sides watch, including uniformed guards and photographers. The wall is covered with colorful graffiti. — CincoDeMayoFan

11. Big Hair and Even Bigger Bottles of Coke

A girl in a pink sweater smiles while holding a large bottle of Coca-Cola near a booth, where three other girls sit eating and drinking. The setting appears to be a casual indoor restaurant or diner. — CincoDeMayoFan

12. An Unidentified Man, Known as ‘Tank Man,’ Stands Alone Before a Line of Tanks in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on June 5, 1989

A man stands in front of a line of three military tanks on a wide city street, blocking their path. The tanks appear to be stationary, and the scene is tense and dramatic. — UserDeleted

13. Germans Rejoice as the Border Finally Opens, Climbing Over the Graffiti-Covered Wall That Had Kept Families Apart for Nearly 30 Years

A large crowd of people climbs over and stands on a graffiti-covered concrete wall at night, celebrating. Some are helping others over the wall, while many watch or cheer. — CincoDeMayoFan

14. American Actors D.B. Sweeney (left) and John Cusack Pose for a Photo at a Party for the Film ‘Scandal,’ on April 25, 1989, in New York

Two men pose together in a dimly lit setting, both wearing black leather jackets. One man has long hair and a relaxed expression, while the other wears a bandana and rests his arm on the first man's shoulder. — Catherine McGann/Getty Images

15. Mullets Were a Big Thing in 1989

Five smiling young adults pose playfully together indoors, with beers on the table to the left. Three people stand while two crouch in front. Another woman in the background wears stripes and holds a camera. Bright daylight streams in from windows. — CincoDeMayoFan

16. ‘A Couple Dancing at Tiananmen Square Before the Tanks Rolled In’

Two young people dance joyfully amid a large crowd of seated and standing protesters, with flags and banners visible in the background at a public square. The atmosphere appears lively and energetic. — KaamDeveloper

17. Paula Abdul and Tone Lōc Pose for the Camera During the MTV Video Music Awards in Peak Late ’80s Fashion

A woman in a black outfit and hat sits on the lap of a man wearing a black tank top and gold chain, both smiling and posing together indoors. — Djf47021

18. A Couple on a Bicycle Hides Under an Overpass as Chinese Military Tanks Rolled Through Beijing During the Tiananmen Square Crackdown

A tank marked with a red star and the number 401 crosses a bridge. Below, two people stand with a bicycle in an underpass, looking up at the tank. Another tank is partially visible behind the first. — noddy877

19. ‘The Year is 1989 and You Found the New Game Boy Under the Christmas Tree’

A smiling child in striped pajamas sits on a couch holding up a boxed Game Boy and a Game Boy game, with a decorated Christmas tree in the foreground and another person sitting nearby. — hagr

20. People Visiting the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan

A large group of people, including families and children, walk up and gather near stone steps and ornate railings in a public outdoor area, surrounded by greenery and sunlight. — DarkLiberator

21. ‘A Look at a Random Moment Captured By My Grandmother in the Late ‘80s’

Three adults with 1980s-style clothing and hair stand in a living room with wood paneling, tan carpet, and a small round table with a lamp. One person holds a cat, another has a purse, and boxes are visible in the background. — Colbster91

22. Getting Down at the Middle School Dance to Madonna and Milli Vanilli? Sounds Like the Late ’80s

A group of teenagers dance energetically in a dimly lit room while others stand or talk in the background, giving a lively and casual atmosphere at a school dance or party. — clayru

23. Commuting in Taiwan: Bikes or Scooters Were the Top Choice. It Wasn’t Until 1997 That a National Helmet Law Was Passed

A busy city intersection with people riding bicycles and scooters in front of tall commercial buildings covered in signs with Chinese characters. Cars wait at the light, and the scene appears lively and urban. — DarkLiberator

24. ‘Dancing at the Disko Club in East Germany’

A group of young people in 1970s-style clothing dance and socialize in a small room with a "DISKO CLUB" sign above the doorway. The atmosphere is casual and retro, with patterned walls and curtains. — bidge8

25. This One Just Screams Late ’80s House Party

A group of young women in 1980s-style clothing stand by white pillars inside a house, talking and socializing at a party. Some people are in the background, near a staircase and front door. — CincoDeMayoFan

26. American Rapper Flavor Flav Attends an Album Launch Party for the Release of Run DMC’s ‘Tougher Than Leather’ in New York City

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

27. Don’t Forget To Make a Wish!

Three women sit on a carpeted staircase indoors, smiling. One woman in a red sweater is holding a lit birthday candle toward another woman. A green candy dispenser and family photo are visible in the background. — CincoDeMayoFan

28. The Velvet Revolution Breaks Out in Czechoslovakia After a Student Demonstration Is Put Down by Riot Police in Late 1989

A large crowd fills a city street during a protest. In the foreground, a person wearing red gloves waves a flag with blue, white, and red stripes over the crowd. Tall buildings line both sides of the street. — devler

29. Michael Jackson During a Photoshoot for Vanity Fair, Capturing the King of Pop at the Height of His Career

A person with long, curly black hair wearing a flowing white shirt and dark blue jeans stands against a plain gray background, looking directly at the camera. The shirt billows slightly, creating a sense of movement. — WTYTPhone

30. Queen Latifah Looking Fabulous in a Matching Fit

A person stands outdoors at night wearing a patterned outfit and matching hat, holding up a peace sign with their right hand and smiling confidently at the camera. — Djf47021

31. Going to the Video Store To Pick Out a Movie or Two for the Weekend

Three kids stand in a video rental store looking at horror movie VHS tapes; one boy holds a tape featuring Freddy Krueger from "A Nightmare on Elm Street" as the others watch. — Djf47021

Want a closer look at the ’80s?

Be sure to check out These 31 Photos Will Take You Straight Back to the 1980s and These 31 Vintage Photos Will Instantly Transport You to 1985. Plus, we think you’ll also like 13 Popular Products From the 1980s.