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Ed Koch, Mayor of New York

A look at the daily tasks and problems faced by New York's mayor Ed Koch.

• 15 mins

President Reagan’s final Republican Convention

President Reagan gives his farewell address at the Republican convention in Kansas.

• 15 mins

Dan Quayle for vice president

George H W Bush chooses Dan Quayle as Vice-Presidential candidate.

• 15 mins

Etiquette for presidential candidates and the heat wave of Summer 1988

When presidential candidates only talked policy, and when Adlai Stephenson broke the rule.

• 15 mins

Yellowstone National Park, 1988

Yellowstone centre is saved from wildfires which have destroyed a million acres.

• 14 mins

The Democratic outsider

Could Michael Dukakis learn from Jimmy Carter when campaigning for the 1988 election?

• 15 mins

Hurricane Gilbert

The destruction caused by Hurricane Gilbert, and the Great New England Hurricane of 1938.

• 15 mins

Looking good on TV

Forget the issues, the most important political feat is to look good on television.

• 14 mins

1988 televised debates, and Thatcher in 1979

Has the campaign for the 1988 presidential election become too sterile?

• 15 mins

Testing public opinion

Vice-presidential debate could sway public opinion on main candidate.

• 14 mins

Baseball and politics in 1988

Do the baseball metaphors of the 1988 presidential candidates endear them to the public?

• 15 mins

The Bess Myerson trial begins

The Bess Myerson trial, often referred to as "the Bess mess", begins in New York.

• 15 mins

George H W Bush vs Michael Dukakis

A profile of the Democratic and Republic contenders for the White House in 1988.

• 15 mins

The 1988 presidential election

George Bush's victory in the 1988 election, and the complexity of a modern ballot paper.

• 15 mins

A dirty campaign

Commentators agree the campaign was the dirtiest 'in living memory'.

• 14 mins

Fears over US deficit

Greenspan warns that Bush will face economic woe.

• 14 mins

Yasser Arafat's speech at the UN, 1988

A milestone in Middle Eastern politics as Yasser Arafat is invited to speak at the UN.

• 15 mins

Gorbachev's perilous experiment

Soviet leader addresses UN as first cracks widen in the Eastern bloc.

• 14 mins

George Bush, the 41st president

The arrival of George H W Bush as the President of the United States of America.

• 15 mins

The inauguration of George Bush, 1989

A review of George H W Bush's cabinet, and his campaign for the presidency.

• 15 mins

Bush's first week and 'African-Americans'

Reverend Jessie Jackson's campaign for the recognition of the term 'African-American'.

• 15 mins

Bush's stance on abortion

A discussion on President Bush's position on the difficult issue of abortion.

• 15 mins

Ethical behaviour

Bush warns aides he expects high ethical standards.

• 14 mins

Revenue enhancements and the Nixon files

What is the difference between a tax and a revenue enhancement?

• 15 mins

1989 Soviet-Chinese summit

The background to, and aftermath of, the 1989 Soviet-Chinese summit in Beijing.

• 15 mins

Satanic Verses outcry

Book stores return book to public display after initial removal.

• 14 mins

John Tower and Colonel North

Do the personal problems of John Tower mean he is unable to advise President Bush?

• 15 mins

The continuing case of John Tower

Do a politician's personal problems affect their ability to govern?

• 15 mins

Food safety and standards

The poisoning of two grapes from Chile, and the role of the EPA and FDA.

• 15 mins

The New York City Board of Estimate

Is the New York City Board of Estimate an unconstitutional organisation?

• 15 mins