50 Facts About The 1990s That Will Leave You In Wonder
The 1990s was more than just a decade of cultural and technological innovation. It was an era of transformation that shaped the world we live in today, leaving an irreplaceable legacy in history. Today, it’s hard to imagine a time without the internet or when you had to wait for your favorite song to play on the radio. Nonetheless, the 90s were a decade like no other. From the birth of Google to wild fashion trends, here are 50 facts about 1990s that will transport you back to the unforgettable decade.
50 Facts About The 1990s
If you are a fellow 90s kid, these interesting facts about the 1990s will take you on a crazy nostalgia ride. So, buckle up your baggy jeans and unplug your walkman as we go down memory lane with these fun facts about the 1990s.
1. The first Harry Potter book was published
In 1997, J.K Rowling released Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first book of the series that marked the beginning of a global phenomenon. The author wasn’t very happy about her decision of publishing the book under a different name in the U.S.
2. Pager was the most important tool of communication.
Before flip phones took over, people relied on these old-fashioned gadgets for communication. In 1994, around 61 million people were reportedly using pagers. Today, people from the medical field still use pagers but otherwise they are completely obsolete.
3. The Backstreet Boys were ruling
Also known as the “original boy band,” the Backstreet Boys were the best-selling artists in 1999. They dominated the music charts creating a massive fanbase that influenced the 1990s culture.
Fun fact: The Backstreet Boys were named after a flea market in Orlando: the Backstreet Market.
4. The very first SMS text message was sent
In 1992, Neil Papworth, a British software architect, sent the first text message that said “Merry Christmas.” A year after that, Nokia introduced the SMS features in their phones. This changed communication forever.
5. Nokia phone were ruling
Speaking of phones, the Nokia 3310 became one of the most popular things in the 90s, renowned for its durability and Snake game.
6. Friends and Seinfeld aired on TV
You cannot talk about entertainment in the 1990s without mentioning these two iconic TV shows that dominated the decade. They influenced everything from comedy to fashion and are loved today.
7. Jennifer Aniston’s haircut on Friends
Jennifer Aniston quickly became a fashion icon and one of the most popular stars of the 90s. Her haircut on Friends known as “The Rachel,” became one of the most sought after 1990s fashion trends.
Fun Fact: She hated the haircut
8. Titanic killed it at the box-office
In 1997, Titanic became the highest-grossing movie of all time in 1997. The movie won 11 Academy Awards and made Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet household names, with its impact on 90s pop culture still felt today. The movie held its record until 2010, until Avatar surpassed it.
9. The iconic Titanic song “My Heart Will Go On” almost didn’t make it in the movie.
James Cameron, the director of the Titanic, didn’t want the song in the movie because he felt the movie didn’t require one. Céline Dion also did not want to sing the song but her husband convinced her to try. Cameron changed his mind after hearing a demo that she recorded. And the rest, as we all know, is history.
10. Sony released the PlayStation
In 1995, Sony revolutionized gaming with its release of PS1. It was their inaugural home gaming console that spread in popularity like wildfire. Sony sold over 70 million units by 2000.
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11. Everyone was doing the Macarena
This Spanish dance craze, by Los Del Río, took the world by storm in the 90s. It quickly became one of the most popular songs of the decade. It was a catchy song that followed you everywhere– literally it was playing all time, everywhere.
12. The birth of Google
Probably one of the most historical events of the 90s was the launch of Google. In 1998, Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin, forever changing how we search for information.
Thanks to Google, we have so many websites to kill time.
13. eBay launched in 1995
The action website launched in 1995, originally known as AuctionWeb. The website allowed people to sell and purchase items online. The first item to sell on this website was a laser pointer which sold for $14.83. It turned out to be broken.
The website quickly gained popularity amongst collectors.
14. Bill Gates was already worth $90 billion
According to Forbes magazine, Bill Gates was already worth $90 billion by 1999, making him the richest person in the world. What makes this achievement more impressive is the fact that Microsoft had only existed for around 2 decades then. Computers had gained popularity and Microsoft 98 had seen a huge success in the decade.
15. Disney was on a roll
In the 1990s, Disney released multiple iconic animated films like The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Tarzan, Little Mermaid and Aladdin. These movies shaped entertainment in the 1990s.
16. Nickelodeon was on a roll
In 1991, Nickelodeon released a lot of their popular cartoons like Doug, Rugrats and Ren & Stimpy.
17. Freddie Mercury died of AIDS
In 1991, Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of the band Queen, died from AIDS at the age of 45. In 1992, a tribute concert was announced in his honor, and all 72,000 tickets sold out in 3 hours.
18. NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope
In 1990, NASA launched the Hubble Space Telescope that still operates today. It was an amazing piece of technology that could lock targets, as thin as human hair, from a mile away. The telescope allowed scientists to capture stunning images of distant galaxies and stars helping NASA make amazing discoveries.
19. Warner Brothers released The Matrix
In 1999, the science fiction film The Matrix killed it at the box office and collected over $450 million. However, the studio wasn’t sure about the movie as Wachowskis, the writers and directors of the movie were unknown.
20. Jurassic Park was released
In 1993, the film was released setting new standards for CGI and effects that changed the future of filmmaking.
Fun fact: The iconic T. rex roar in the movie is actually a slowed-down recording of a Jack Russell terrier playing with a rope.
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21. Britney Spears released her first song
We cannot talk about things that defined the 90s without mentioning Britney Spears. She made her debut with the famous song ‘Hit Me Baby One More Time’ which was an instant hit. Britney Spears was a huge part of the 90s pop culture.
Fun fact: Her love interest shown in the video is actually her cousin Chad.
22. Furbies was concern to national security
In 1999, the National Security Agency (NSA) considered Furbies to be a threat to national security. They believed that these small toys contained recording devices in them so the Chinese government could spy on them. This wasn’t true, but NSA still banned them in offices.
23. Grunge Fashion Dominated
1990s fashion was truly iconic. It was the era of flannel shirts, ripped jeans and Doc Martens combat boots. This became an iconic look, popular amongst the youth, thanks to bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
24. Everyone had Tamagotchi Pets
Tamagotchi were digital pets that required care and attention. Taking care of these virtual pets became very trendy and fashionable making it one of the popular activities for kids of the 90s. Tamagotchi comes from the Japanese words for egg and friend. This fascinating toy was an instant hit and sold over 76 million units.
Reminds me of a story where an Indian Maharaja spent 2 crore for his dog’s wedding. That is truly a story of unconditional love between a man and his pet.
25. Pokémon Takes Over
The Pokémon franchise exploded in the late 90s. They started with the release of their video game in 1996 and quickly evolved into a multimedia franchise. The release of the game saw a huge success which was followed by manga series, trading cards and even films.
26. Tetris was played in space
In 1993, Tetris became the first game played in space. Russian astronaut Aleksandr A. Serebrov became the first astronaut to play a video game in space when he took his game boy to the MIR Space Station. He was only allowed to take one game and he chose Tetris.
27. AOL Instant Messenger launched
In 1997, AOL Instant Messenger was launched and it allowed people to send messages to people online. It became so popular that it got 53 million users in less than a decade. The platform was eventually discontinued but remained active until December 2017. It is still remembered as the most iconic messaging app of the early Internet era.
28. Everyone was wearing chokers
Choker necklaces saw a comeback and became a huge part of the 1990s culture. It was one of the most fashionable things to wear.
Fun Fact: Chokers were worn throughout history to signify different implications. During the French Revolution, red ribbons around their neck meant paying tribute to someone who was executed and in the 1800s, black choker was a way to identify prostitutes.
29. Nelson Mandela’s Release from prison
In 1990, Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years which became a historical moment in South African History. It marked the end of Apartheid system and in 1994, Mandela became South Africa’s first Black president.
30. The Spice Girls’ Global Dominance
90s pop culture wouldn’t be complete without The Spice Girls. They released their hit single “Wannabe” and instantly became international pop icons. They made the 90s famous for their “Girl Power” message and bold fashion that made them one of the biggest pop culture references of the decade.
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31. The Rise of Hip Hop and Rap
The era of the 90s were a transformative decade for hip hop with artists like Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg bringing the genre into the mainstream music industry.
32. Pixar released its first animated film
In 1995, Pixar released Toy Story, the first full-length feature film made entirely using CGI. This changed animation forever. The film became a huge hit and earned $373 million worldwide, transforming the animation industry forever.
33. The death of Princess Diana
In 1997, Princess Diana tragically died in a fatal crash a year after her divorce with Prince Charles. This was one of the most tragic events in Britain. Her passing caused global outrage towards the media’s treatment of public figures. Her funeral remains one of the most-watched TV events in history.
34. Boy Bands Dominate
The 90s will be remembered for boy bands like Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and 98 Degrees. It was a golden era for boy bands with dominating charts worldwide. They were international sensations with massive fan following and a huge part of the 1990s culture.
35. The Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
In 1998, a scandal involving the U.S. President Bill Clinton and White House intern, Monica Lewinsky, became a major political and media event. It was one of the biggest political scandals of the 90s that led to the impeachment of Clinton by the House of Representatives
36. The Y2K Panic
As the year 2000 approached, there was mass hysteria that computers would fail causing major infrastructure issues as the year changed from 1999 to 2000. The United States spent around $100 billion dollars to prepare for Y2K.
37. 1990s Makeup Trends
The makeup trends in the 90s are still unmatched. It was the decade of thin eyebrows, matte makeup, and frosted lips. These 1990s makeup trends were popularized by pop icons and celebrities.
38. MTV Ruled Youth Culture
MTV was founded in the 80s and gained insane popularity by the 90s. It was the hub for 90s pop culture, the rise of musicians and VJs. They featured some of the most iconic shows of the decade like TRL (Total Request Live) and MTV Unplugged.
39. The O.J. Simpson trial
In 1995, the O.J. Simpson murder trial became one of the most-watched court cases in history. The case involved the former NFL player and the death of his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Brown and her friend. Over 95 million Americans watched the verdict on television. He was found not guilty in the end.
40. The Launch of Windows 95
In 1995, Microsoft released Windows 95, a game-changer for computers. It was the first time many features like start menu, taskbar and built-in internet were seen. These features are still used today.
41. The Introduction of the iMac
In 1998, Apple released the iMac with its futuristic and colourful design. This marked Apple’s entrance into the computer and electronics market. Before the launch, Steve Jobs almost named the iMac “MacMan”.
Fun fact: Apple has a fascinating clause for product placements in media known as Apple’s No Villain Clause.
42. Jeff Bezos launched Amazon
In 1994, Amazon originally launched as an online bookstore. Eventually, they expanded the product range and introduced different categories. Amazon revolutionized the e-commerce industry and transformed the way we shop even today.
43. Michael Jordan won 6 NBA titles
During the 90s, The Bulls dominated the NBA with Michael Jordan leading them to 6 championships.
Fun fact: Jordan didn’t want to make a deal with Nike, he originally wanted to wear Adidas. However, Adidas didn’t match Nike’s price.
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44. Hummer was the coolest car
In 1994, Hummers were released and quickly became one of the coolest cars in the market. Each car weighed 10,000 pounds and had an average of 10 miles per gallon.
45. Hip Hop’s Influence on Fashion
If you ask: What was the most popular thing in the 90s? The answer has to be the 90s fashion! Hip hop significantly influenced the fashion of the era with baggy pants, oversized T-shirts and gold chains.
46. Polly Pocket was everywhere
Chris Wiggs invented the polly pockets in 1983 and it gained popularity in the 90s. He was making a doll house for his daughter in a powder compact so she could have a portable toy. They are a collectors item today.
47. Beanie Babies Craze
Speaking of toys, these tiny plush toys became one of the most popular toys of the decade. These are now sold as collectors items, with some fetching thousands of dollars.
48. Michael Jackson wanted to be Spider-Man
Michael Jackson attempted to buy Marvel Comics in the 90s because he wanted to play Spider-Man. He was a huge fan of the superhero and it was his dream to portray the characters on the big screen.
49. Slap Bracelets were a hazard
Slap bracelets were “the” accessory for school goers. This short-lived trend was invented by a highschool teacher, Stuart Anders, who was playing with steel ribbons. Teachers across all schools really hated them because the bracelets started injuring students. At its peak, they generated around $8 million a day.
50. The birth of Yahoo!
In 1994, Jerry Yang and David Filo launched the website that was initially known as “Jerry and David’s Guide to the World Wide Web.” It went on to become one of the first search engines on the internet and was then renamed to Yahoo!
In its peak, Yahoo! was one of the most visited websites in the world.
A Decade Like No Other
These facts about 1990s sure took us on a nostalgic journey! The 90s was a decade of transformation, with moments that didn’t only make for popular trends but also shaped the landscape of today’s world.
Whether you lived through it or are discovering it for the first time, these facts remind us of simpler times when technology, fashion, music, and entertainment were all forming to create something extraordinary.
What are a few fun facts about the 1990s that you remember? Tell us in the comments below.
