1988 was a crucial year in the early history of the Internet —it was the year of the first well-known computer virus, the 1988 Internet worm.

1988: Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

Historical events from year 1988. Learn about 844 famous, scandalous and important events that happened in 1988 or search by date or keyword.

What happened and who was famous in 1988? Browse important and historic events, world leaders, famous birthdays and notable deaths from the year 1988.

September 17–October 2 – The United States participates in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea and ranks in third place, bringing home 36 gold, 31 silver and 27 bronze medals for a …

Aug 23, 2025 · This quick read presents over 25 fun facts and historical events from the year 1988.

Discover the most significant events of 1988, from world-changing political decisions to cultural milestones. Explore the key moments that shaped history during this pivotal year

Apr 7, 2026 · This quick read presents a collection of fun facts, trivia, and historical events from the year 1988.

Nov 12, 2024 · Discover 26 fascinating facts about the year 1988, from historical events to pop culture milestones that shaped the world.

In 1988, a graduate student at Cornell released a self-replicating program onto the internet from an MIT terminal, and by morning, a significant portion of the connected internet had ground to a halt. Die …