When the United States last won a match at the Rugby World Cup, star fly half Mike Hercus was seven years old and Beverly Hills Cop 2 was swamping the May 1987 box office.
Sixteen years is a long time to go without a win, in fact it is the longest losing streak ever in the history of the Tournament, which makes the USA's 39-26 victory against the Japanese on Monday night all the more sweeter.
With the win, not only have the USA shrugged that enormous monkey off their backs but they have escaped coming last in Pool B and can go into their final RWC match against France with nothing to lose.
According to their number 8 Dan Lyle, the USA have now achieved their main mission for the RWC, the win validating all the hard work.
"We set out a goal and worked hard as a team to reach it. We had to work very hard in March and April. The win allows us to gain an understanding of what it means to succeed in rugby," said Lyle.
"Tonight was a big game, on a big ground, with a big crowd and on the biggest stage possible.
"When this gets out to people back home they will see how well Japan can play and how well we can play. I'm sure it will help to develop the game."
Coach Tom Billups felt it was about time for a win and was impressed with his team’s performance, especially its ability to work as a unit to the game plan – get it to Hercus.
"Rugby World Cup wins have been hard to come by, but not through lack of trying. We are a good team with several players in their prime," Billups said.
"Mike [Hercus] is a talented footballer, he has real skills. We have built plays around him and until tonight we could not give him the right platform for him to excel."
The USA now face France on Friday, 31 October, in Wollongong and even though the RWC 2003 objective is achieved, that doesn't mean coach Billups is going to rest in the home work department.
"They [the French] are world class, they're full time professionals, even their front row forwards have seven per cent body fat."