1993

Bill Clinton becomes the 42nd President of the USA. F.W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela share the Nobel Peace Prize. Despite threats from both black and white extremists, South Africa finally moves towards majority rule. Israeli and Palestinian leaders sign a peace deal. Palestinian areas are given limited self-rule. Ireland gets a new Coalition government. Fianna Fail shares power with Labour. The Dail re-elects Albert Reynolds as Taoiseach by 107 votes to 60. At the Green Glens Arena in Millstreet, Co. Cork, Fionnuala Sweeney hosts 'Eurovision 1993'. Britain and Ireland go right to the final vote. Niamh Kavanagh wins with 'In Your Eyes'. Waco, Texas: a 51-day siege ends in disaster. FBI agents storm the headquarters of the Branch Davidian cult. 80 people are killed in a gunfight and a massive fire. Cult leader David Koresh is among the dead. Russia faces a constitutional crisis. Communist hardliners defy President Boris Yeltsin. Dissent turns into open revolt. Hundreds of delegates take over the parliament building. Rebel supporters occupy public buildings. The Russian military backs Boris Yeltsin and crushes the rebellion. After a day-long battle, the rebels surrender. Windsor Park, Belfast: although Northern Ireland have failed to qualify for the World Cup, they can still stop the Republic from going through. A tense 1-1 draw sends the Republic into the World Cup Finals. A new boy band makes its debut on the 'Late Late'. Gay Byrne meets 'Boyzone'. Des O'Malley resigns as Progressive Democrats leader. Mary Harney is the first Irishwoman to lead a political party. President Mary Robinson travels to West Belfast where she meets Gerry Adams. President Robinson also meets the Queen this year. A toddler is abducted from a Liverpool shopping centre. He is murdered by two young boys. Jamie Bulger was two years old. Jonathan Ball was three years old, and Tim Parry was twelve years old, when the IRA bombed Warrington town centre. The killings lead to a series of peace demonstrations. As Aer Lingus begins direct flights between Dublin and the USA, Shannon Airport loses its 'stopover' status. Galway is shocked by a multinational's decision to close its computer manufacturing plant. Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles are hit by scandal when a tape of their intimate conversation is published. An IRA bomb explodes in a fish shop on the Shankill Road. Ten people die. The IRA bomber is among the dead. Loyalists retaliate by shooting seven people dead in a pub in Greysteel, Co. Derry. Peace efforts intensify throughout the year. Talks between Gerry Adams and John Hume are followed by lengthy diplomatic negotiations. The Republic and Britain agree a joint policy on Northern Ireland . The Downing Street Declaration is signed on 15 December 1993. Playlist: Gabrielle - Dreams Niamh Kavanagh - In Your Eyes Bjork / David Arnold - Play Dead House Of Pain - Jump Around Take That - Relight My Fire Cranberries - Linger Pet Shop Boys - Go West The Beloved - Sweet Harmony Frank and Walters - After All Garth Brooks - Friends In Low Places