The 1988 Winter Olympic Games held in Canada, the Jamaica bobsled team made their first appearance on the world stage as the only tropical nation competing in a winter sport. The team never officially finished the race as they lost control of the sled. However, after crashing, they famously walked to the finish line - this inspired the film Cool Runnings.

2 On September 12, Hurricane Gilbert hit Jamaica. This was the first hurricane to hit the island directly in 37 years. This historical event led to the popular hit song Wild Gilbert, by Lloyd Lovindeer, which poked fun at the tragedy of Hurricane Gilbert.

3 Under the leadership of then Prime Minister, Edward Seaga, the first satellite telecommunications data processing operation, Digiport, was set up in Montego Bay.

4 The Gene Award for best screenplay, Milk and Honey was filmed. The film is a heartwarming story of a Jamaican woman's determination to work and keep herself and her son in Toronto, Canada. Her story reflected that of many Jamaicans, who have left the island for 'greener pastures', and the struggles they endure.

5 Under the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) administration, a new thrust was initiated to see to the preservation of cultural heritage, restoration work on Fort Charles in Port Royal and Seville Great House in St Ann's Bay was started.

6 Devon House was developed as a park and craft centre.

7) Television magazine programme Hill an' Gully Ride, produced by Creative Production and Training Centre, begins airing.

8 Media Divestment Programme was introduced for the first time, to issue broadcast licenses. This liberated the media and several small private radio stations and Church television stations were established.

9 The reclamation of the Montego Bay waterfront under a new thrust of restoring cultural heritage.

10 The Extensive School Construction Programme, which saw the introduction of the school feeding programme and the provision of free textbooks at the primary level and the Textbook Rental Scheme at the secondary level is implemented.