1990s

Millennia: 1st millennium - 2nd millennium - 3rd millennium

Centuries: 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
Decades: 1960s 1970s 1980s - 1990s - 2000s 2010s 2020s
Years: 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Events and trends

The 1990s are generally classified as having moved slightly away from the more conservative 1980s, but otherwise retaining a similar mindset. The 90s were marked with rapid progression of globalization and global capitalism following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

While optimism and hopes were high following the collapse of Communism, the backlash of the Cold War's effect was only beginning, precipitating the continuation of terrorism in Third World regions that were once the frontlines for American and Soviet foreign politics, particularly in Asia. However, during the 1990s many First World economies such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Korea experienced steady economic growth for nearly the entire decade. Even less affluent nations such as Malaysia saw tremendous improvements in economic prosperity and quality of life during the 1990s. With the Cold War over, "Roaring" 90's prosperity, and September 11 having no negative connotations applied to it, this decade is often held in high regard for people in many of these nations.

Many countries, institutions, companies, and organizations also viewed the 90s decade as "a prosperous time", meaning that almost all of them rebounded after many years of failure. Some examples include Apple Computer's revival of power after being at the edge of Bankruptcy, breakthroughs in many fields of technology that includes the Internet, Compact disc, Virtual reality, etc., the discovery of oil and gas on many countries and Pope John Paul II's papacy reached its peak.

Regardless, the 1990s brought tragic conflicts as well, like the Balkan Wars, the Rwandan Genocide, the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia and the first Gulf War.

Technology

The World Wide Web invented at CERN.
The Pentium processor is developed by Intel.
Microsoft introduces Windows 95 to the market, which gained immediate popularity.
Explosive growth of the Internet, decrease in the cost of computers and other technology.
Advancements with computer modems, ISDN, cable modems and DSL lead to faster connection to the Internet.
The development of web browsers such as Netscape and Internet Explorer makes surfing the World Wide Web easier and more user friendly.
The Java programming language is developed by Sun Microsystems.
Businesses begin E-commerce websites; companies such as Amazon.com, EBay, AOL, and Yahoo! grew rapidly on the Internet.
Cell phones burst in popularity and decrease in size, becoming a necessity for modern life.
Pagers and PDAs become popular communication tools.
E-mail becomes popular; as a result Microsoft acquires the popular Hotmail.com.
Year 2000 problem (commonly known as Y2K).
Microsoft Windows operating system becomes virtually ubiquitous on IBM PCs.
Development of free operating system Linux is started.
Breakthrough of compact discs technology, introduced in the 1980s, later branching into DVD.

Science

Detection of extrasolar planets orbiting stars other than the sun.
The Cloning of Dolly the sheep is achieved.
Human Genome Project begun.
DNA identification of individuals finds wide application in Criminal law.
Hubble Space Telescope launched in 1990; revolutionizes Astronomy.
Protease inhibitors introduced allowing HAART therapy against HIV; drastically reduces AIDS mortality.
NASA's spacecraft Pathfinder lands on Mars and deploys a small roving vehicle, Sojourner, that analyzes the planet's geology and atmosphere.
The Hale-Bopp comet swings past the sun at close to 100,000 miles per hour for the first time in 4,200 years.
Development of biodegradable products, replacing products made from styrofoam; advanced methods for Recycling of waste products (such as paper, glass, aluminum) are developed.
Genetically engineered crops are developed for commercial use.
Discovery of Dark matter, Dark energy, and Brown Dwarfs, and first confirmation of black holes.
The Galileo probe orbits Jupiter, studying the planet and its moons extensively and nearly confirming the presence of an underwater ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa, fueling bacterial life and new grounds for science fiction.

War, peace and politics

Reunification of Germany on October 3 1990.
End of apartheid in South Africa (1990) and election of ANC government of Nelson Mandela.
Gulf War (resulting from Iraq's invasion of Kuwait) and United Nations embargo on Iraq in 1991.
North Yemen and South Yemen merge to form Yemen (1991).
Break up of the Soviet Union in 1991 - the end of the Cold War, United States as sole world Superpower.
The bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 by an explosive-filled van leads to awareness of international Terrorism as a rising threat.
Eritrea gains independence from Ethiopia (1993).
European Union is declared in 1992.
Military actions in Somalia in 1993 lead to questions of the United States' role as a policing officer of the world. (see also, Black Hawk Down).
Rwandan Genocide kills one million people, in 1994.
The birth of the "Second Republic" in Italy, with the Mani pulite investigations of 1994.
Peace process begins in Northern Ireland in 1995
Balkan war in former Yugoslavia in 1995.
A decade of women presidents in the Republic of Ireland.
The United Kingdom hands sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997.
U.S. Congressman Newt Gingrich crafts his manifesto "Contract with America", leading his Republican Party to become the controlling majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
U.S. president Bill Clinton's sex scandal with Monica Lewinsky and his Impeachment trial in 1998, which lasts the entire year.
Anti-globalization protests.
The Second Congo War start in 1998 in central Africa and includes 5 different cultures and 7 different nations. It goes on until 2002.
In May 1999, Pakistan sends troops covertly to occupy strategic peaks in Kashmir. A month later the Kargil War with India results in a political fiasco for Nawaz Sharif, followed by a military withdrawal to the Line of Control. The incident leads to a military coup in October in which the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is ousted by Army Chief Pervez Musharraf.
Portugal hands sovereignty of Macau to the People's Republic of China on December 20, 1999.

Economics

Development of GATT, the World Trade Organization and other global economic institutions.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which phases out trade barriers between the United States, Mexico and Canada is signed into law by U.S. President Bill Clinton.
After 1992 the booming of the US Stock market, in reference to which Alan Greenspan coined the memorable phrase "irrational exuberance", which eventually stretched into the Dot-com boom / dot-com bubble.
Financial crisis hits East and Southeast Asia in 1997 and 1998 after a long period of phenomenal economic development. See East Asian Tigers.

Culture

Douglas Coupland publishes the novel Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, popularizing the term Generation X as the name of the generation born in the late 1960s and early 1970s (then college-age).
Reality television explodes on MTV with the popularity of The Real World (1992-); along with Road Rules (1995-), Real World/Road Rules Challenge (1998), and Real World reunions, these shows remained popular throughout the 1990s.
Grunge music, popularized by Nirvana, gains widespread mainstream acceptance in the early part of the decade, as a result Alternative rock gain popularity, and the emergence of Post-grunge begins.
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers gains popularity with kids in the mid 90s; leading to entire Power Rangers series.
Rap music gains widespread mainstream acceptance throughout the decade, starting with the success of MC Hammer, Public Enemy and Vanilla Ice; ending with hip-hop inspired by Puff Daddy, Dr. Dre and Eminem.
Japanimation becomes popular in the United States with late 90s shows Pokemon, Dragonball Z, and Cowboy Bebop.
Music festivals such as Lollapalooza became popular; a fusing of genres from Alternative rock, rap, Punk rock and garage bands.
Black becomes a dominant color in fashion, along with several dark colors (see Goth, The Matrix, and Regis Philbin).
Trance, techno and Electronica music becomes widely popular at rave parties in Europe/USA and in pop culture, particularly later in the decade. The drug Ecstasy, (aka MDMA or 'X') is popularized by rave culture.
Dogme 95 becomes the leading European artistic film movement by the end of the decade
Video games become more advanced. The more influential game systems include the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the Sony Playstation, and the Sega Dreamcast.
Extreme sports reached a new height in popularity, and by 1995, were given their own annual tournament on US cable network ESPN, the X-Games.
Professional wrestling became extremely popular. After scandals and near bankruptcy due to competition from World Championship Wrestling (WCW), the World Wrestling Federation was repackaged more edgier and realistic. Superstars such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Mick Foley, Steve Borden (Sting), Bill Goldberg, Raven, Sabu and others became household names. At the same time, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) led wrestling's entry into edgier angles.
Recreational sports such as rock climbing, Mountain biking, sky diving, Snowboarding, mountain climbing, Bungee jumping, in-line skating, kayaking and Rowing becomes hugely popular.
Cartoons aimed at an adult audience become popular, a trend that continues in the 2000s. Among the most successful are The Simpsons (1989-), Ren & Stimpy (1991-1995), Beavis & Butt-head (1993-1997), South Park (1997-), King of the Hill (1997-), and Family Guy (1999-2002, 2005-).
Television networks increase programs aimed at twenty- and thirty-somethings. Some of the popular are Beverly Hills 90210 (1990-2000), Melrose Place (1992-1999), Party of Five (1994-2000), Ally McBeal (1997-2002), Friends (1994-2004), and Seinfeld (1990-1998).
Notable television sitcoms aimed at the teen/preteen market include Boy Meets World (1993-2000), Full House (1987-1995), Family Matters (1989-1998), and Third Rock From The Sun (1996-2001), among many others.
In America, Country music becomes more Mainstream with popular chart topping artist such as Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, LeAnn Rimes, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw.
Major Hip hop slang words/phrases include "homie", "phat", "da bomb", "Audi 5000", "tight", "word to your mother", "Talk to the hand", "You go girl!", and "Wasssuppp!"

Fads and fashion

Other significant events

The massive global human impact on the environment, which first garnered attention in the 60s, was widely acknowledged.
Divorce and scandal rocked the British Royal House of Windsor.
The assassination of Selena Quintanilla.
Sex and Violence in the media increase, especially in the late part of the decade. Profanity in music reaches peak in the late 90s.
Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers announced he has contracted HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and retires immediately from the NBA.
O.J. Simpson's trial, described in the media as the "Trial of the century".
You go, girl! becomes a popular phrase in the media as feminism is more widely accepted and publicised in the media with The Spice Girls, the WNBA, women's boxing, Sex and the City and others showcasing modern femininity.
The Vieques controversy.
The Oklahoma City bombing, the bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168.
The Waco massacre prompts a nationwide debate in the U.S. about the Freedom of association right of the Michigan Militia, Montana Militia and other radical groups.
Crime levels in the U.S. peak in 1991, begin to fall afterwards to the lowest levels since the late 1960s at end of decade.
Drug use in the U.S. reaches an all-time low in 1992 before increasing, reaching its peak in 1997 before declining again.
Princess Diana dies in a car accident in 1997. Debates of accident vs assassination rage.
Mother Teresa, the Roman Catholic Nun who won the Nobel Peace Prize, dies at age 87.
21-year-old Golfer Tiger Woods wins the Masters Tournament by a record 12 strokes; becoming the youngest and first African-American to win the Masters.
John F. Kennedy, Jr., his wife Carolyn Bessette and sister-in-law Lauren Bessette are killed when Kennedy's private plane crashes off the coast of Martha's Vineyard.
American Cyclist Lance Armstrong wins his first Tour de France in 1999, less than two years after battling Testicular cancer.