1988

1988 was a leap year starting on Friday. It followed on the year 1987 and preceded 1989.

In the world

 * January
 * 1 - The Soviet Union begins its program of economic restructuring (perestroika) with legislation initiated by Premier Mikhail Gorbachev (though Gorbachev had begun minor restructuring in 1985).
 * 13 – Taiwan President Chiang Ching-kuo dies in Taipei; Vice-President Lee Teng-hui becomes president.
 * 15 – In Jerusalem, Israeli police and Palestinian protestors clash at the Dome of the Rock; several police and at least 70 Palestinians are injured.

Events

 * Undated
 * Joseph McKinley becomes Governor of Seven for the second time.

Deaths

 * January
 * 20 - Robert Pennington, statesman and businessman
 * December
 * 2 - Princess Manon of Lovia