Flashback Fun: A Look at 1990s World Events & Pop Culture
The 1990s was a decade marked by significant global, technological, and pop culture changes. Read on to take a walk down memory lane!
A Decade of War, Peace & International Trade
Many significant world events occurred in the nineties. This decade saw the fall of the Soviet Union, which ended the Cold War. The Apartheid ended in South Africa. While peace was seen in many parts of the globe, genocides were happening in Rwanda and Serbia; the Gulf War was being fought in the Middle East. The 1990s saw an increase in international trade with the establishment of the European Union, the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the World Trade Organization. This decade ushered in a new global economy, where countries were doing business with one another in a way that they had never done before.
Major Developments in Technology
The 1990s brought us advancements in technology, which changed the way we communicated. The internet became popular and connected people around the world. Microsoft and Apple created major developments in computer technology. While most people still relied on pagers, cell phones started to become popular. Video game systems were all the rage, and Game Boys allowed people to enjoy their games on the go. CD players replaced cassette players, allowing users to easily skip to their favourite tracks on albums.
Pop Culture Icons
During the 1990s, alternative and hip-hop music gained popularity, aided by the rise in MTV and the internet. Viewers were glued to their televisions to catch every episode of Friends, Seinfeld, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Blockbuster movies of the decade included Titanic, Jurassic Park, and Clueless.
Fashion & Trends
90s fashion was a clash of styles- from preppy to grunge to sporty, clothing was an expression of personal taste. The decade began with bright colours and bold prints as the top trends, but as the nineties came to an end, muted colours of flannel shirts, baby doll dresses, and baggy jeans were all the rage, as teens emulated the styles of their favourite musicians.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane as we looked back on the 1990s!
