1990s: Peace, Prosperity and the Internet | HISTORY 1990s The 1990s is often remembered as a decade of relative peace and prosperity: The Soviet Union fell, ending the decades-long Cold War, and the rise of the Internet ushered in a radical new era of communication, business and entertainment. However, the decade was not without violence and tragedy, including the Bosnian genocide, the Rodney King beating and subsequent L.A. Riots, and the first bombing of the World Trade Center. Featured Overview The 1990s Author Douglas Coupland revisits a golden age of U.S. culture: the 1990s. 2:25m watch Illustration by Eduardo Ramón Trejo. Photos from Getty Images. Featured Overview The 1990s Author Douglas Coupland revisits a golden age of U.S. culture: the 1990s. 2:25m watch Start Here How Ruby Ridge and Waco Led to the Oklahoma City Bombing Timothy McVeigh developed his suspicion of government authority at a young age—but two pivotal events pushed him over the edge. Persian Gulf War The Persian Gulf War, or Operation Desert Storm, began in 1991 after President Saddam Hussein of Iraq ordered the invasion and occupation of neighboring Kuwait. The Euro: How a Common Currency Helped Europe Achieve Peace Born in the ashes of World War II, the currency used by 21 European countries went into effect on January 1, 1999. How the Beanie Baby Craze Came to a Crashing End In the 1990s, hysteria over Ty Inc's $5 plush toys fed a wave of theft, fraud and market manipulation. Values soared—then plummeted. Waco Siege What Happened at the Waco Siege? Learn about the Waco Siege and how cult leader David Koresh lived as a polygamist among his Branch Davidian followers at the Mount Carmel Center. Discover the 51-day siege, which ended in a deadly FBI raid on April 19, 1993. 4:50m watch 3 Major Events of the 1990s Hubble Space Telescope Launched (1990) The sophisticated telescope revolutionized our understanding of the universe by providing unprecedented, high-resolution images of space, black holes and distant galaxies. Its observations settled many longstanding debates in cosmology. Los Angeles Riots (1992) Years of tensions between the Los Angeles Police Department and the city’s Black community boiled over after four officers were found not guilty of assaulting unarmed motorist Rodney King, leading to several days of widespread violence, looting and arson throughout L.A. Oklahoma City Bombing (1995) In a devastating act of domestic terrorism, a truck packed with explosives was detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, killing 168 people. The attack was orchestrated by anti-government militant Timothy McVeigh and his co-conspirator Terry Nichols. Explore All Related Topics AllArticlesVideos 1990s 1990s EventsOklahoma City Bombing1990s Politics The Euro: How a Common Currency Helped Europe Achieve Peace Born in the ashes of World War II, the currency used by 21 European countries went into effect on January 1, 1999. 1990sDisabled Activists Crawl Up the Steps of the Capitol Protestors gathered at the Capitol in March of 1990, abandoned their assistive devices and crawled up the steps. Known as the Capitol Crawl, it was a major catalyst for the passage of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). 1990sHow the Rodney King Tape Became the First Viral Video The 1991 Rodney King beating, captured on a home video camera, became one of the first widely shared “viral” videos—sparking national outrage and igniting conversations about police brutality. 1990sHow These Simple Keepsakes Became Artifacts of History’s Biggest Moments From a copy of the Titanic’s first-class menu to a Mike Tyson fight night ticket reserved for Tupac, these stories reveal dark discoveries and their terrifyingly lucrative paydays. Advertisement What Drove Heaven’s Gate Followers to Mass Suicide? In 1997, 39 members of a religious sect were found dead by suicide inside a San Diego mansion. Why did they do it? 1990sHow the Gulf War Created 24-Hour News Live battlefield reports and real-time broadcasts transformed television forever. Discover how the Gulf War reshaped news into a 24-hour cycle. The Plane Crash That Killed JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy The son of the famous president died in the 1999 accident, along with his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister Lauren Bessette. The Calvin Klein Look That Ruled the 1990s The designer led a minimalist revolution that redefined American chic. Advertisement Advertisement 1990sThe Most Popular Hairstyles In Every Decade Get some inspiration for your next trip to the stylist as we countdown the top hairstyles of the last 100 years, from the Bob to the Man Bun, in this episode of History by the Decade. 9:25m watch The 1990s The 1990s were a decade marked by the collapse of the Soviet Union, the emerging popularity of grunge music and the rapid rise of the World Wide Web. How a Music Video Launched the ‘90s Supermodel Era These women transformed what it meant to be a model. 1990s: The Good Decade The man who gave the world "Generation X" looks back at the oft-maligned 1990s. Advertisement Monica Lewinsky Scandal The Monica Lewinsky scandal in the late 1990s involved President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern in her early 20s. In 1995, the two began a sexual relationship that continued sporadically until 1997. The impeachment of Bill Clinton was initiated in December 1998 by the House of Representatives for charges of lying under oath and obstructing justice. How a Petty Snub Led to Clinton’s Government Shutdown—and the Lewinsky Affair Newt Gingrich was offended that Clinton hadn't talked to him on Air Force One. How the Beanie Baby Craze Came to a Crashing End In the 1990s, hysteria over Ty Inc's $5 plush toys fed a wave of theft, fraud and market manipulation. Values soared—then plummeted. When Biosphere 2 Became a Grand Experiment in Self-Isolation In the 1990s, eight adventurers spent two years separated from the rest of the world inside a futuristic greenhouse meant to mimic a spaceship—on Earth. Load more Advertisement