I'm of the opinion that it is 1996 and not 1997 that marks the end of the core '90s and the beginning of the late '90s.
You have in that year a few events in music, TV and movies that show the core 90s giving way to the 90s.

Music:

-Tupac's All Eyez on Me cements the mainstream popularity of rap music, going platinum in just four hours.
-The Spice Girls debut, releasing their first single in June which is huge throughout 1996.
-Oasis plays the biggest selling free show ever
-Korn releases Life is Peachy, it goes to #3 on the charts and begins the rise of nu metal.
-Rage Against the Machine releases Evil Empire, which is a hit, further cementing the rise of rap rock/nu metal as a viable genre
-Tool releases Aenima, cementing their popularity as industrial rock band
-Marilyn Manson releases Antichrist Superstar, and is a big hit and cements the rising popularity of the '90s goth movement and industrial metal.
-Rage Against the Machine Releases Evil Empire
-Nickleback releases their debut album.
-The Backstreet Boys release their debut album
-Eminem releases his debut album

Meanwhile, the older grunge and hard rock acts finally come to a halt. Alice in Chains does an unplugged show in 1996 but it's clear they're slowing down. Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and Soundgarden both release records in 1996 but those are not anywhere nearly as popular, critically or commercially, as their earlier releases. Guns N' Roses for all intents and purposes breaks up. Metallica cuts their hair, changes their image, and releases Load, a very controversial record, though it sells well enough.

Long hair and the grunge look is out, and the preppy look of the later '90s begins to take hold.

TV:

TVLand debuts.
The Dish Network starts
The TMNT cartoon ends
3rd Rock from the Sun debuts
Dexter's Laboratory debuts
The Daily Show begins
The Rosie O'Donnell show begins
7th Heaven starts
Judge Judy begins
Sabrina, The Teenage Witch begins
The O'Reilly Factor starts
Hannity & Colmes begins
Arthur starts
KaBlam! Begins
Hey, Arnold! begins

Are You Afraid of the Dark ends
Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers ends
Murder, She wrote ends
The Fresh Prince of Bell Air ends
Tales from the Crypt ends
Ren and Stimpy ends
Rocko's Modern Life ends


I think an argument can be made for 1996 as a cultural transitional year. A year that was mid 90s, but also a bridge to the late 90s.

You do bring a logical argument and everything that you are saying does make sense about some late 90s cultural elements  to creep in by 1996, but many of the cultural aspects of the mid 90s did carry over into 1996 and even 1997 and wet still had a much stronger presence than the late 90s culture in those years. Some examples of this being Fox Kids show Bobby's World still airing new shows in 1996 and 1997, the SNES and Sega genesis being the most popular gaming consoles for much of 1996 and even still pretty relevant in 1997, grunge still being dominant and Michael Jordan still being the pinnacle of the NBA.

I still think 1997 was the end of the core 90s!!

You do bring a logical argument and everything that you are saying does make sense about some late 90s cultural elements  to creep in by 1996, but many of the cultural aspects of the mid 90s did carry over into 1996 and even 1997 and wet still had a much stronger presence than the late 90s culture in those years. Some examples of this being Fox Kids show Bobby's World still airing new shows in 1996 and 1997, the SNES and Sega genesis being the most popular gaming consoles for much of 1996 and even still pretty relevant in 1997, grunge still being dominant and Michael Jordan still being the pinnacle of the NBA.

Fifth generation took over in 1996 when n64 was officially launched!

I still think 1997 was the end of the core 90s!!
I agree with you. 1997 still felt alot like the mid 90s especially early in that year.


Fifth generation took over in 1996 when n64 was officially launched!
True, but the n64 wasn't launched until September of 1996 in the states so SNES and Sega genesis were still the more popular consoles for much of that year

I agree with you.

Yeah, even though I was REAL little then; most of 1997 was as 90s as you get IMO. Late 1997 was when the transition began! Disney one Saturday morning, Zoog disney, Toonami, South Park and King of the Hill debuting, N64/PS1 taking over,WWF attitude era started, Michael Jordan's last hurrah;before he returned in 01, Pokemon debuted in Japan,Spice Girls,Smash Mouth and Sugar Ray etc.

AS a matter of fact 1996 was arguably the peak of the 90s!! Seinfeld and Friends at it's peak! Tupac's ALL Eyez on me, then his death,1996 Olympics, the presidential election, best bulls team ever, east coast/west coast rap wars at their peak, SNES/Sega Genesis, and Sega Saturn/PS1/N64 all in the same year!, The Sports teams of the 90s decade(Cowboys,bulls, and Yankees)winning their championships that year! ECW in it's prime, Hulk Hogan turning heel, Steve Austin becoming the Stone Cold character; starting the second wrestling boom etc.,  I could go on!

It was a very fun year!  8)

It was a very fun year!  8)

How was it at 6/7 years old? 2002(when I was 6/7) was VERY fun for me!!

How was it at 6/7 years old? 2002(when I was 6/7) was VERY fun for me!!


Pop culturally, Alanis Morissette was huge that year. I'm sure you know that.  8)

Teen pop had not really exploded until '97 I guess. But the teen pop of the late 90s was better than teen pop from late 00s/early 10s.

Also, who knew that reality TV would explode roughly four years later!

Despite numerous ways that 1996 is a bit different from 1994, it's still clearly a core '90s year. Yes, that was the year that I first used the Internet along with its increasing presence in advertising, but it was still in its fledgling stages in terms of being a utility like it became around the turn of the new century. And some of the things 90s Guy listed in terms of ending/breaking up are more associated with the early '90s (or even late '80s). Power Rangers Zeo wasn't MMPR, but it was the last incarnation that represented the franchise in its heyday before the Turbo movie (complete with PR's version of Cousin Oliver) ruined it, even with the original Red Ranger returning in the second half of that series. That said, I still wasn't aware of digital cameras and DVDs on the market in 1996 and kitchen appliances were still a plain black/white covering with no stainless steel being common, and of course while cars were getting rounder, they were still much more old school in terms of not having side airbags, some still with just cassette players, and of course a greater variety of color choice compared to the every car is seeming some shade of black, white or gray. Currently, 1996 is halfway between the primitive "VCR's, PC's, Atari VCS games and answering machines are the future in a rotary phone/typewriter/board game world of 1977 and today's smartphone/tablet/digital displays everywhere world, so clearly it is a defining moment in terms of culture.

Finally, although movies like Twister and Independence Day were quite revolutionary at the time with their special effects, they look quite primitive compared to today's movies and if anything are closer to the original Star Wars in terms of feel. It was also easier for Oscar-nominated/winning movies to reach mainstream audiences as opposed to today's more indie/art-house vibe at the movies.

AS a matter of fact 1996 was arguably the peak of the 90s!! Seinfeld and Friends at it's peak! Tupac's ALL Eyez on me, then his death,1996 Olympics, the presidential election, best bulls team ever, east coast/west coast rap wars at their peak, SNES/Sega Genesis, and Sega Saturn/PS1/N64 all in the same year!, The Sports teams of the 90s decade(Cowboys,bulls, and Yankees)winning their championships that year! ECW in it's prime, Hulk Hogan turning heel, Steve Austin becoming the Stone Cold character; starting the second wrestling boom etc.,  I could go on!


I definitely remember those storylines well.

May 28th 1996 – U.S. President Bill Clinton's former business partners in the Whitewater land deal, Jim McDougal and Susan McDougal, and the Governor of Arkansas Jim Guy Tucker, are convicted of fraud.

AS a matter of fact 1996 was arguably the peak of the 90s!! Seinfeld and Friends at it's peak! Tupac's ALL Eyez on me, then his death,1996 Olympics, the presidential election, best bulls team ever, east coast/west coast rap wars at their peak, SNES/Sega Genesis, and Sega Saturn/PS1/N64 all in the same year!, The Sports teams of the 90s decade(Cowboys,bulls, and Yankees)winning their championships that year! ECW in it's prime, Hulk Hogan turning heel, Steve Austin becoming the Stone Cold character; starting the second wrestling boom etc.,  I could go on!


If I were to pick one year that best represents the nineties, it would be 1996.

Probably true for all the "6" years in every decade.

If I were to pick one year that best represents the nineties, it would be 1996.

Probably true for all the "6" years in every decade.

Not ALL! I think 68 represents the sixties best, 77 represents the seventies best, 85 represents the eighties best,05 represents the 2000s best,etc.

Not ALL! I think 68 represents the sixties best, 77 represents the seventies best, 85 represents the eighties best,05 represents the 2000s best,etc.


I think 1986 summed up the entire decade a little more than 1985.

A few early 80's things hanging around

New wave was still around.

Glam metal really took off.

hip-hop becoming a thing.

Reagan was at the peak of his popularity. Then the Iran-Contra scandal.

Nintendo.

Every other movie this year just screams 80's.

I think 1986 summed up the entire decade a little more than 1985.

A few early 80's things hanging around

New wave was still around.

Glam metal really took off.

hip-hop becoming a thing.

Reagan was at the peak of his popularity. Then the Iran-Contra scandal.

Nintendo.

Every other movie this year just screams 80's.

I honestly think new wave is a quentissental 80s sound!! It declined in the late 80s! 1985 also had much better films that year! That's probably one of the reasons I give 85 the edge over 86! But 86 is the number 2 80s year! with 84 being number 3!

I think 1986 summed up the entire decade a little more than 1985.

A few early 80's things hanging around

New wave was still around.

Glam metal really took off.

hip-hop becoming a thing.

Reagan was at the peak of his popularity. Then the Iran-Contra scandal.

Nintendo.

Every other movie this year just screams 80's.


Nintendo was pretty popular at this time.

Nah 1995 and 1996 are the same to me in both years being core mid 90's. 1996 is not extension of the late 90's I think 1997 is where the late 90's starts either spring of summer of 1997.

I think 1986 summed up the entire decade a little more than 1985.

A few early 80's things hanging around

New wave was still around.

Glam metal really took off.

hip-hop becoming a thing.

Reagan was at the peak of his popularity. Then the Iran-Contra scandal.

Nintendo.

Every other movie this year just screams 80's.


Any year from 1986 to 1990 could be accurately described as the quintessential '80s year.  I think its ArcticFox that said a decade is defined by its last four years and there isn't any better examples of that than the '80s.

Any year from 1986 to 1990 could be accurately described as the quintessential '80s year.  I think its ArcticFox that said a decade is defined by its last four years and there isn't any better examples of that than the '80s.

I think mid years of the decade is usually the heart of the decade to me!

Nah 1995 and 1996 are the same to me in both years being core mid 90's. 1996 is not extension of the late 90's I think 1997 is where the late 90's starts either spring of summer of 1997.


The 1997-98 school year kicked off the late '90s.  1996 was still solidly core-'90s in my book.

June 4th 1996 – The first flight of Ariane 5 explodes after roughly 37 seconds. It was a Cluster mission.

June 10th 1996 – Peace talks begin in Northern Ireland without the participation of Sinn Féin.

June 23rd 1996 - Michael Johnson broke the world record for the men's 200 meter race. He ran it in 19.66 seconds.

Nintendo was pretty popular at this time.


The NES was popular from 1987 to 1991.

Nah 1995 and 1996 are the same to me in both years being core mid 90's. 1996 is not extension of the late 90's I think 1997 is where the late 90's starts either spring of summer of 1997.


No one ever said 1996 was an extension of the late '90s; I see it as the first year of the late '90s. Picket Fences (a mid '90s show) was officially cancelled in that year. I don't know of anyone who watched the show to the very end, so the episodes that aired in the spring of '96 pretty much never happened to mainstream America.

I know some people on this board think of '96 as a 'hardcore mid '90s year', but '96 can really be thought of as the END of the mid '90s and start of the late '90s.

I think mid years of the decade is usually the heart of the decade to me!


Well, "Go For It" the board game, Breakin' and Punky Brewster are all from the mid '80s, I would have to agree with you on that.

Any year from 1986 to 1990 could be accurately described as the quintessential '80s year.  I think its ArcticFox that said a decade is defined by its last four years and there isn't any better examples of that than the '80s.


ArticFox also thinks "All For Love" by Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart could pass as an '80s song.  ::)

The 1997-98 school year kicked off the late '90s.  1996 was still solidly core-'90s in my book.


What makes 1996 a year of the core-'90s to you?

June 23rd 1996 - Bryan Adams went to No.1 on the UK album chart with '18-Till I Die'. Metallica went to No.1 on the US album chart with their sixth studio album 'Load'. The album has now sold over five million copies in America alone.

Well, "Go For It" the board game, Breakin' and Punky Brewster are all from the mid '80s, I would have to agree with you on that.

Thank you!! The only decades I consider to be quintessential in the latter years would be the 60s and probably the 70s! the 80s 90s 00s all were at their peak in the mid years!!

ArticFox also thinks "All For Love" by Bryan Adams, Sting and Rod Stewart could pass as an '80s song.  ::)

My parents would actually disagree with that completely! To them true 80s music is 1982-1987! My dad(born in 1959) in particular doesn't think of the new jack swing, hair bands, ALF, TMNT late 80s style! To him true 80s is the new wave, John Hughes films, MJ's Thriller, old school rap(pre 86), Bird/Magic rivalry, etc.

July 17th 1996 – TWA Flight 800: Off the coast of Long Island, New York, a Paris-bound TWA Boeing 747 explodes, killing all 230 on board.

July 17th 1996 – The Community of Portuguese Language Countries is founded.

July 17th 1996 The National League extended its ban of Marge Schott of not allowing her to come to her owner's box for games. Schott was banned from baseball until 1998.

July 21st 1996 - Alanis Morissette started a second run at No.1 on the UK album chart with 'Jagged Little Pill', which stayed at the top for eight weeks. Overall, the album has sold over 33 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the most successful albums in music history.

July 21st 1996 - Boston's Roger Clemens passed Hall-of-Famer Don Drysdale and moved into 20th place on the all-time strikeout list, registering the 2,494th of his career.

July 21st 1996 – In a military coup in Burundi, Pierre Buyoya deposes Sylvestre Ntibantunganya.

August 6th 1996 – NASA announces that the ALH 84001 meteorite, thought to originate from Mars, contains evidence of primitive life-forms.

August 18th 1996 - The San Jose Mercury News publishes Gary Webb's three-part series on the Reagan CIA's role in crack cocaine importation to fund the Contras.

I think 1996 was the last full on core 90's year but the core 90's culture to me died in mid 1997.

Honestly, 1995-1998 was pretty much the mid-late 90s. 1990-93 was pretty good to be called the early 90s, but after '93, it just seems boring. Hell, MLB didn't even get to have a full season in 1994.

Honestly, 1995-1998 was pretty much the mid-late 90s. 1990-93 was pretty good to be called the early 90s, but after '93, it just seems boring. Hell, MLB didn't even get to have a full season in 1994.

1994 is mid 90s as well!

1994 is mid 90s as well!


Meh, 1994 just felt more early 90s, but not as good as 1990-93.

Meh, 1994 just felt more early 90s, but not as good as 1990-93.

what feels early 90s about it???

what feels early 90s about it???


I just felt like it was a cultural transition from the early to mid 90s.

I just felt like it was a cultural transition from the early to mid 90s.

I ALWAYS felt 1993 was!

I ALWAYS felt 1993 was!


Ehhh... Not really. I thought 1993 was still the early 90s, since it still had some early 90s culture into it.

Ehhh... Not really. I thought 1993 was still the early 90s, since it still had some early 90s culture into it.

Yeah it had a FEW; and I said this ANOTHER post, but Bill Clinton became president taking over from HW Bush, TV shows like Walker Texas Ranger, X-Files, Boy meets world, Power Rangers, Conan O' Brien, The Nanny, Rocko, Anamaniacs, Frasier, David Letterman etc. all premiered!! MJ retied for the first time; Movies like Steven Spielberg's Schindler's list was groundbreaking as it was where he proved he could make  more mature movies; Philadelphia, starring Tom Hanks(the quintessential actor of the decade) was where he broke type casting and progressed into more serious roles etc.

Yeah it had a FEW; and I said this ANOTHER post, but Bill Clinton became president taking over from HW Bush, TV shows like Walker Texas Ranger, X-Files, Boy meets world, Power Rangers, Conan O' Brien, The Nanny, Rocko, Anamaniacs, Frasier, David Letterman etc. all premiered!! MJ retied for the first time; Movies like Steven Spielberg's Schindler's list was groundbreaking as it was where he proved he could make  more mature movies; Philadelphia, starring Tom Hanks(the quintessential actor of the decade) was where he broke type casting and progressed into more serious roles etc.


Most of the shows you mentioned were very popular during the core 90s, so I guess 1993 was basically the transitional year from the early 90s to the core 90s.

August 23rd 1996 – Osama bin Laden issues message entitled 'A declaration of war against the Americans occupying the land of the two holy places.'

August 24th 1996 - Oasis singer Liam Gallagher failed to turn up for the recording of the bands MTV unplugged session at London's Royal Festival Hall in front of 400 fans. He later sat in the audience and watched the show with his brother Noel taking over on vocals.

August 24th 1996 -  'Missing' by UK duo Everything But The Girl broke the all-time US chart stay record previously held by The Four Seasons' 'December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)', when it appeared on the Billboard chart for the 55th week

September 11th 1996 - Noel Gallagher walked out on the rest of Oasis half way through an American tour after a fight with his brother Liam in a hotel in Charlotte North Carolina. Noel flew back to London the following day.

September 14th 1996 - Peter Andre scored his first UK No.1 single when 'Flava' went to the top for one week. The English-born Australian singer’songwriter became a major television personality after taking part in the British reality TV series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!; during which he met, fell in love with and subsequently married former glamour model Jordan. The couple split in May 2009 after three and a half years of marriage.

September 18th 1996 - At Sotheby's in London, Julian Lennon successfully bid just over $39,000 (£21,000), for the recording notes for the song Paul McCartney wrote for him, 'Hey Jude'. At the same event, John Lennon's scribbled lyrics to 'Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite' sold for $103,500, (£57,500).

I was obsessed with those electric trains through one of my cousins at that time haha The house was pretty big to. They lived across the street from our older aunt we didn't really know but she was still cool. The neighborhood was scary in a mysterious way.
This is when I was really antagonistic. I used to chase cats all the time. Me and my brother used to visit our other main cousins living with our aunt who sadly left. The Nintendo 64 was mind blowing that complimented her awesome house. They had every major game for the system. The games you had to have in 96 was Super Mario 64, Mario Kart and Mortal Kombat Trilogy. Sometimes our aunt would sit in her chill room, pumping to the radio haha We used to hear mainly Biggie Smalls then. I remember when our aunt bought us tones of Burger King out the blue and we already had a colorful plastic toy table we had to unfold. It was a fun year indeed.