Why did Billy Joel include the cola wars in we didn't start the fire?

Billy Joel included the "cola wars" in "We Didn't Start the Fire" to highlight the cultural and commercial competition between Coca-Cola and Pepsi during the 1980s. This reference serves as an example of the trivial yet pervasive aspects of American life during that era, reflecting the broader theme of societal changes and events that shaped history. By juxtaposing significant historical moments with such commercial rivalries, Joel emphasizes that both monumental and mundane events are part of the ongoing narrative of human experience.