20 Events from the ’90s You Totally Misremember
The '90s were packed with unforgettable events, but thanks to media distortion, collective false memories, and time playing tricks on us, you probably remember many of them completely wrong!
- Alyana Aguja
- 6 min read
The 1990s were a pivotal decade, with moments that changed history—but we got many of the details wrong or even invented whole events. From Nelson Mandela’s supposed death in prison to Sinbad’s non-existent genie film, misinformation, and media manipulation have conditioned the way we remember history. This list takes a look at 20 significant ’90s events you probably got wrong, revealing the shocking ways our brains edit history.
1. Nelson Mandela’s Death (1990s?)
Image from Wikipedia
Most individuals vividly recall Nelson Mandela having died in prison during the 1980s or ’90s, but in reality, he was freed in 1990 and became South Africa’s first Black president in 1994. This general false memory spawned the phrase “The Mandela Effect.” He died much later in 2013.
2. The O.J. Simpson Trial Verdict (1995)
Image from Wikipedia
Others remember seeing the verdict read live at night, but it really occurred at 10 a.m. PST on October 3, 1995. Classrooms and offices were stopped in their tracks as millions listened in to hear O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of double murder. It’s still one of the most viewed television moments in American history.
3. Sinbad’s Nonexistent Genie Movie, Shazaam
Image from Wikipedia
Many people swear Sinbad starred in a genie movie called Shazaam in the ’90s, but no such film ever existed. Many likely confuse it with Kazaam (1996), which featured Shaquille O’Neal. Even though Sinbad repeatedly shut it down, the false memory endures.
4. Billy Graham’s Death (1990s?)
Image from Wikipedia
Famous televangelist Billy Graham is commonly thought to have passed away in the ’90s, possibly because several TV specials were aired celebrating his life when he was still alive. He actually died in 2018 at the age of 99. Some people think that advanced obituaries strengthened this false memory.
5. The Challenger Explosion (1986, Not the ’90s!)
Image from CNN
Most individuals improperly locate the Challenger disaster in the early ’90s instead of its true location, January 28, 1986. The live presentation of the disaster explosion, especially in schools, had a lingering effect. Its mislocation is probably because subsequent space shuttle activity occurred in the ’90s.
6. Mike Tyson Biting Evander Holyfield’s Ear (1997)
Image from Wikipedia
Though most remember Tyson biting off Holyfield’s ear, he just bit off a piece of it. In the infamous June 28, 1997, boxing match, Tyson was disqualified twice for two different bites. Holyfield’s ear was damaged but not bitten off.
7. Y2K Bug Panic (1999–2000)
Image from Aesthetics Wiki - Fandom
Individuals recall Y2K as a huge technological catastrophe, but the crisis was avoided. Programmers and IT professionals worked extensively to ensure that key systems did not fail when the clock hit midnight. While there were some minor hiccups, the world did not end.
8. Princess Diana’s Death (1997) & Conspiracy Theories
Image from Wikipedia
Though Diana’s fatal car accident in Paris on August 31, 1997, is well documented, most get facts about it wrong. Some remember a phantom white Fiat never conclusively attributed to the crash. Others feel the paparazzi were wholly responsible, even though official accounts indicate driver intoxication as a primary cause.
9. The Death of Tupac Shakur (1996)
Image from Britannica
Tupac was also shot on September 7, 1996, in Las Vegas and passed away six days later. Because of his ongoing posthumous album releases and conspiracy theories, though, others falsely think that he either lived or was assassinated many years later. Some claim that he lives in Cuba or Malaysia.
10. The Columbine Massacre (1999) & Trench Coat Mafia Myth
Jeffco Public Schools on Wikimedia Commons
Following the school shooting tragedy on April 20, 1999, numerous reports erroneously associated the perpetrators with a group known as the “Trench Coat Mafia.” They were not part of any such group. In fact, the label was incorrectly applied at an early stage of media reports. This myth perpetuated later stereotypes of school shooters.
11. Monica Lewinsky’s Blue Dress (1998)
Image from Wikipedia
While most recall Bill Clinton’s affair with Monica Lewinsky to have been an open secret from the start, that notorious blue dress was not presented as evidence until late in the investigation. Clinton initially denied the relationship. It wasn’t until DNA evidence came forth that he owned up to it.
12. The “Macarena” As A 1990s Hit
Image from Refinery29
Yes, Macarena was a ‘90s phenomenon, but many forget that the original version by Los del Río came out in 1993 and flopped. It wasn’t until the Bayside Boys remix in 1996 that it became the global dance craze we remember. By the time it peaked, the song was already years old.
13. The Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989, Not the ’90s!)
Image from Wikipedia
More people seem to recall the Berlin Wall coming down in the early ’90s rather than on November 9, 1989, when the Berlin Wall did come crashing down. This is probably due to the official German reunification that took place in 1990. Many symbolic events, such as Pink Floyd’s The Wall concert, occurred later.
14. Ross Perot Withdrawal from the 1992 Election
Image from Wikipedia
Most remember Ross Perot running in the 1992 presidential race, only to withdraw permanently. He actually withdrew in July but re-entered the race in October, ending with almost 19% of the popular vote. His brief withdrawal may have cost him the election.
15. Pokémon’s Debut (1996 or 1998?)
Image from Wikipedia
Pokémon is commonly believed to have debuted in 1998 when it originally surfaced in the U.S. Actually, Pokémon Red and Green were first released in Japan in 1996. The anime series, trading cards, and international phenomenon came later.
16. The Rodney King Beating Occurring in the Mid-’90s
Image from Wikipedia
Most people confuse the violent beating of Rodney King and the riots that followed in LA in the mid-’90s. The beating actually took place on March 3, 1991, while the riots happened in April 1992, when the officers were acquitted. The incident played a central role in debates regarding police brutality.
17. The Death of Kurt Cobain (1994) & Murder Theories
Image from The New Yorker
Kurt Cobain’s suicide on April 5, 1994, is usually overshadowed by lingering speculations that he was actually killed. Some people wrongly recall Courtney Love being arrested or Cobain writing several letters. Despite the rumors, officials declared it a suicide.
18. The Original Jurassic Park Release Year (1993, Not Later)
Image from IMDb
Others remember Jurassic Park as a late ’90s film, perhaps due to its enormous cultural presence. The film, however, opened in June 1993. The confusion could be attributed to the sequel The Lost World (1997).
19. The Death of Chris Farley (1997, Not 1998-99)
Image from Wikipedia
Most folks get the year of comedian Chris Farley’s untimely death wrong, assuming it happened in 1998 or afterward. He really died on December 18, 1997, due to a drug overdose. The misunderstanding could be that his last movie, Almost Heroes, was released after his death in 1998.
20. The Release of Google (1998, Not Before)
Image from Wikipedia
Although most feel that Google has existed forever, it was just created in September 1998. Before this, individuals generally used search engines such as AltaVista, Yahoo!, and Lycos. Google took over slowly and, therefore, feels more established than it actually is.