Every decade has a name, such as the ’60s is the Disco Age. Looking back at all the decades, every one has a specific name except for one, the ’90s. In fact, no phrase really stands out for the 1990s. Although no one has keyed a name for the decade, there were several major events that occurred during this period. Several events that will always be remembered in the minds of Americans. Consequently, these events have shaped the world we live in and the way we think about various things. When I say major events, I don’t necessarily mean events that were for the better. I’m trying to point out more tragic events because although we all love to see happy endings, the ones that leave an everlasting affect are the melancholy ones. The ’90s was a time of great change. The typical rock music had faded and the “good old days” were definitely gone by now. So, heading into the decade few knew what to expect and some of the events that they got were anything but pleasant. The 1990s was a heavy time for major crimes and tragic events. The events I’m about to mention are some that I’m almost sure you still remember today.
1990
The Desert Storm – A conflict between Iraq and a coalition force from thirty-five nations, authorized by the the United Nations and led primarily by the U.S. in order to liberate Kuwait. Marked the beggin of Saddam Hussein. Deaths = 148 : Casualties = 760
1991
Discovery of Jeffrey Dahmer – A serial killer slaughters seventeen young men and boys over a small time period. He rapes, dismembers, and occasionally eats many of his victims before being arrested. Deaths = 17 : Casualties = 1
1992
L.A. Riots – After the racial beating of Rodney King by Caucasian cops, many people wreak havoc in the streets of Los Angeles.
Deaths = 55 : Casualties = 2300
Hurricane Andrew – A powerful hurricane rips through Florida, killing twenty-six and leaving 250,000 homeless. It was the costliest hurricane, an estimated 26.5 billion, in American history. Deaths = 26 : Casualties = 462
Black Hawk Down – Somali rebels ambush U.S. soldiers on a mission to end famine in Somalia. Deaths = 18 : Casualties = 70
1993
The Assault on Waco – After federal agencies investigate a compound, a shootout erupts, killing four U.S. agents and six branch Davidians. A fifty-one day siege proceeds, ending with an unexplainable fire that engulfed seventy-four people, including many children and religious leader David Korish, who claimed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ. Deaths = 84 : Casualties = 24
1994
O.J. Simpson Case – A widely-viewed police chase occurs as police attempt to track down a possible suspect for the brutal murders of two people. To this day, no one has been convicted of the crime, but strong clues point to the ex-football player O.J. Simpson. Deaths = 2 : Casualties = 0
1995
Oklahoma Bombing – Angered over the Waco and Ruby Ridge incidents, Timothy McVeigh sets a bomb off near a government-operated building. The explosion produces a drastic 168 deaths and 853 injuries, resulting in the worst terrorist attack by a fellow American. Deaths = 168 : Casualties = 853
1996
The Unabomber – Highly intelligent Ted Kaczynski sends homemade bombs to several universities, airlines, and other targets from the late 1970s until he is eventually caught in 1996. Deaths = 3 : Casualties = 23
Flight 800 – An airplane explodes in mid-air near the vicinity of New York, killing everyone aboard. Deaths = 230 : Casualties = 0
Olympic Park Bombing – Eric Rudolph bombs a nearby park during the Olympics in Atlanta, two abortion clinics, and a gay bar in protest against aspects that went against the Bible. He later led the F.B.I. on a five year chase through a North Carolina forest. Deaths = 2 : Casualties = 111
1997
Heaven’s Gate – Thirty-nine people commit suicide believing they would be sent up to a spaceship behind a passing Hale Bopp comet. It was one of the saddest, but strangest events to ever occur. Deaths = 39 : Casualties = 0
Padacal High School Shootings – Mentally-ill Michael Carneal, age 15, kills three and wound five in a teen prayer circle.
Deaths = 3 : Casualties = 5
Hollywood Shootout Two notorious bank robbers rob the Bank of America and have a shootout with the Los Angeles police department. Wearing bullet proof material from head to toe and armed with automatic guns, they shoot at police forces for forty-five minutes, before both gunmen die by suicide or police bullets.
Deaths = 2 : Casualties = 20
1998
U.S. Embassy Bombings – Car bombs explode near two American embassies, killing 223 and injuring over 4100. The terrorist attacks were linked to Osama Bin Laden. Deaths = 223 : Casualties = 4100
The Jonesboro Ambush Two students, ages eleven and thirteen, kill five people at an Arkansas middle school after pulling a fire alarm. There is still no clear reason why this happened. Deaths = 5 : Casualites = 10
El Nino Warning – Periodic warming affects world climates, upsetting weather patterns. It produces one of the costliest and devastating hurricane seasons ever.
Deaths = 12,000 : Casualties = n/a
1999
The Columbine Massacre Two angry high school students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, kill eleven students and one teacher and injure twenty-four by bombs and bullets before turning their guns on themselves. Their motive behind the incident was to show the world how they felt.
Deaths = 15 : Casualties = 24
Texas Church Massacre Larry Ashbrook throws a bomb into a Fortworth Baptist Church killing seven, before shooting fourteen people during a teen service. He then commits suicide. Deaths = 8 : Casualties = 7
Texas A & M Bon Fire Collapse A celebratory bonfire collapses on Texas A & M students, killing twelve and injuring twenty-seven. The bonfire was constructed from 5,000 logs and was fifty-nine feet high. Deaths = 12 : Casualties = 27
Rare tornadoes – Extremely uncommon tornadoes in Oklahoma and Kansas kill forty-six and injure 800. Deaths = 46 : Casualties = 800
These were some of the more distinct, infamous events during the 1990s, but it was no where near all of them. Some of the events not included are the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing, the Ruby Ridge Standoff, Princess Diana’s death, and the Thurston High School shootings, just to name a few. Clearly, the 1990s was a time of upheaval. Thousands of people died in the events I’ve mentioned, most of them innocent, but what any statistic can’t calculate is the numbe of people that lived with grief and sorrow after each incident. Without these occurrences, how much would we have to remember about the 1990s?
