Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa following the relaxation of apartheid laws. He'd served 27 years after being convicted of treason in 1964. When Mandela appeared at the prison gates with his wife Winnie, people danced in the streets and the world celebrated alongside them.
Later that year Mandela's ANC party suspended its 30 year old armed struggle against the country's minority white government. In return, President FW de Klerk promised to free political prisoners and consider the repeal of security legislation. The end of the oppressive apartheid regime had begun.
In Jamaica, the first radio station devoted to playing local music begins broadcasting. Irie FM becomes the Island's most listened to station ever.
The British runner Diane Modahl wins the 800m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. She was the British 800m champion six times.
UK's Nigel Benn won the WBO middleweight title beating American Doug DeWitt in Atlantic City. He was the first Briton to win the title since Alan Minter in 1980 but lost it later that year to Chris Eubank.
Africa's last colony Namibia, became an independent state after nearly a century of rule by imperial Germany and later South Africa. Sam Nujoma was the country's first President.
Will Smith hits primetime television when the sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air launches. It stars him as a poor black cousin sent to stay in the rich white Bel-Air neighbourhood.
Karl Kani's Cross Colours clothing line is launched across the US. It was one of the defining fashion brands of the early 1990s.
A tribute concert hosted by Denzil Washington and Lenny Henry is held at Wembley to celebrate Mandela's release and is later viewed by one billion people worldwide. It includes performances by Aswad, Tracy Chapman, Anita Baker and Soul II Soul.
Mariah Carey released her eponymous debut album. It spawns four US No.1 singles. She goes on to be the biggest selling female singer of the 1990s.
Ice Cube left NWA and went solo with his debut album AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, produced by Public Enemy's Bomb Squad. In it Ice Cube portrayed inner city gangster life in both its glamour and deprivation.
MC Hammer released his debut album Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em which goes on to sell a phenomenal 10 million copies.
Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby reaches No 1 and sells 8 million copies of the album topping the US charts for 16 weeks.
Ike Turner is sentenced to 4 years in prison for possession of cocaine.
