1990’s

Sitcom Sensation ("Seinfeld")
A New York stand-up comic and his eccentric friends entertained viewers for nine seasons on "Seinfeld," an award-winning sitcom "about nothing" that gave fans an offbeat and hilarious look at city life.

Gulf War
On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait. After negotiations failed, Operation Desert Storm was launched on January 17, 1991. Multinational forces led by the U.S. liberated Kuwait within six weeks.

Baseball Records
The pursuit of three important and long-standing records thrilled Major League Baseball® fans. Players set new marks for career strikeouts, consecutive games played, and home runs in a single season.

Computer Art and Graphics
Electronic art and computer-generated animation gained popularity. Artists, graphic designers, and moviemakers used software and powerful, more affordable computers to create everything from abstract paintings to cinematic special effects.

Improving Education
Across the U.S., improving the quality of education was a priority for educators, parents, and legislators. Key approaches included setting high standards, reducing class size, supporting teachers, and creating access to new technology.

Extreme Sports
Extreme Sports added an element of adventure and increased risk to the sports world. Daredevil sports such as aggressive inline skating, BMX biking, snowboarding, and street luge achieved greater popularity.

"Jurassic Park"
Cloned dinosaurs terrorized visitors at an island theme park in the 1993 hit "Jurassic Park." Noted for its stunning lifelike creatures, the Steven Spielberg-directed film won Academy Awards® for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing.

Virtual Reality
Employing computers and interface devices such as data gloves and head mounted displays, virtual reality created three dimensional "virtual" worlds used in video games and in applications ranging from architecture to surgery.

Special Olympics
In 1998, Special Olympics marked its 30th anniversary. The organization provides year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with mental retardation, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness and demonstrate courage.

Return to Space
In 1962, aboard the Mercury Friendship 7, John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth. His 1998 return to space at age 77, on the shuttle Discovery, heightened interest in the space program.

Recovering Species
Coordinated efforts led to the recovery of some animals that once were endangered or threatened. In the 1990s, two peregrine falcon subspecies. arctic and American. were removed from the Endangered Species List.

Cellular Phones
The popularity of cellular phones skyrocketed as the phones became smaller and cheaper, sound quality improved, and service became more widely available. In 1999, more than 78 million Americans had cellular service.

World Wide Web
The World Wide Web brought the text-based Internet to life by adding pictures, sound, and video. Millions of people accessed the Internet with user-friendly browsers for business, entertainment, and educational purposes.

Sport Utility Vehicles
Originally designed for off-road driving, sport utility vehicles became commonplace on city and suburban streets. Offering versatility, comfort, and a rugged image, SUVs were a popular choice for American families and commuters.

Blockbuster Film ("Titanic")
Adding romance and elaborate special effects to the tragic story of the ill-fated luxury liner, James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic"™ was a colossal success at the box offices worldwide and won 11 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture.