20 iconic photos of the '90s, from Y2K hysteria to Princess Diana's 'revenge dress'

Gabbi ShawSep 9, 2020, 02:06 IST

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the stars of "Titanic."HAL GARB/AFP/Getty Images

The '90s might not seem like they were that long ago, but kids who were born in 1990 are turning 30 this year.
These photos will take you back to the decade of platform shoes, "Titanic," and beepers.
The cast of "SNL" was filled with superstars like Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, and Chris Rock.

Nostalgia for the '90s is at an all-time high right now (especially because 2020 has essentially been a wash) between fashion, TV show reunions, and a longing for simpler technology like Tamagotchis.

These 20 photos perfectly summarize the decade — the good, the bad, and the ugly. While you might remember the '90s through a pair of rose-tinted circular sunglasses, things weren't always better.

Crimes like the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman captivated the country, and people were convinced that the world was going to end the minute the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2000.

Keep scrolling to take a journey back to the '90s, and see if you can remember these moments in time.

Jennifer Aniston spawned one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time, "the Rachel," during seasons one and two of "Friends."

The Rachel. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Image

The country was captivated by President Bill Clinton's sex scandal. One of the most famous moments came when he denied having a relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

President Bill Clinton shakes his finger as he denies improper behavior with Monica Lewinsky in the White House Roosevelt Room. Harry Hamburg/NY Daily News via Getty Images

In 1999, one of the biggest fears was Y2K, which was the belief that all computers would cease to function once we hit the year 2000.

A computer programmer attempting to stave off the "Millennium Bug." Photoshot/Getty Images

The Spice Girls rocked their now iconic ensembles, including Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell's Union Jack dress at the 1997 Brit Awards.

Spice Girls photographed backstage at the Brit Awards in February 1997. Ray Burmiston/Photoshot/Getty Images

Beepers, or pagers, were the best way to get in touch with someone.

A beeper. Marty Katz/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

The trial of OJ Simpson dominated 1995, and one of the most infamous moments was when the former football player tried on a pair of gloves, spawning the phrase "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Defendant OJ Simpson wearing the blood-stained gloves found by Los Angeles Police. Reuters

The trial of OJ Simpson dominated 1995, and one of the most infamous moments was when the former football player tried on a pair of gloves, spawning the phrase "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Platform shoes were also huge in the '90s.

Club-goers wear trendy platform shoes at the Limelight. mark peterson/Corbis via Getty Images

Two of the biggest stars on the planet were Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio who made everyone cry their eyes out in "Titanic."

Leonardo DiCaprio arrives with co-star Kate Winslet for the 55th Annual Golden Globe Awards. HAL GARB/AFP/Getty Images

The Tamagotchi craze swept across the world during the '90s.

Various models of Tamagotchi in June 1997 in Paris, France. Xavier ROSSI / Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images

The love triangle between Princess Diana, Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker-Bowles culminated in Princess Di wearing what many called her "revenge dress."

Princess Diana arriving at the Serpentine Gallery, London, in a gown by Christina Stambolian in June 1994. Jayne Fincher/Getty Images

Low-rise jeans, Tommy Hilfiger-branded underwear, Destiny's Child, and a young Scarlett Johansson? There's never been a more '90s combo.

Scarlett Johansson, in the center, surrounded by Destiny's Child in 1999. Marion Curtis/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Franchise juggernaut "Star Wars" returned in 1999 after a 16-year hiatus with "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace."

Natalie Portman and Liam Neeson attending the premiere of "The Phantom Menace." Marion Curtis/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Blockbuster Video was the one-stop shop for all your favorite movies, movie snacks, and video games.

RIP, Blockbuster. Ron Heflin/AP Images

Every era has their cast of "SNL," and this era lucked out with comedy all-stars Chris Farley, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, and David Spade.

Farley, Rock, Sandler, and Spade. Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc via Getty Images

David Beckham went from one of the most popular soccer stars in the world to public enemy No. 1 when he was red-carded during the World Cup in 1998.

David Beckham is shown the red card by referee Kim Milton Neilsen for retaliating against Argentina's Diego Simeone. Tony Marshall/EMPICS via Getty Images

The era of the supermodel peaked in the '90s with icons like Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Elle MacPherson, and others.

Campbell, Schiffer, Turlington and MacPherson. Dave Allocca/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

President Bill Clinton's saxophone ability is the stuff of memes in 2019, but in the '90s it was endearing.

President Bill Clinton plays the saxophone as jazz vibraphonist Lionel Hampton gives a thumbs up during a birthday celebration on July 24, 1998. Karen Cooper/Getty Images

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were '90s icons and fashionistas even back then.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images

Britney Spears released her debut album, "... Baby One More Time" in January 1999, officially beginning her reign as the teen pop queen.

Britney Spears performing at Universal Amphitheater for her "Baby One More Time" tour on July 31, 1999. Brenda Chase/Online USA, Inc.

The Kardashian-Jenner clan have been stars since the '90s — just look at this photo of them from 1991.

The entire KarJenner clan in 1991. Maureen Donaldson/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

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20 iconic photos of the '90s, from Y2K hysteria to Princess Diana's 'revenge dress'

Jennifer Aniston spawned one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time, "the Rachel," during seasons one and two of "Friends."

The country was captivated by President Bill Clinton's sex scandal. One of the most famous moments came when he denied having a relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

In 1999, one of the biggest fears was Y2K, which was the belief that all computers would cease to function once we hit the year 2000.

The Spice Girls rocked their now iconic ensembles, including Geri "Ginger Spice" Halliwell's Union Jack dress at the 1997 Brit Awards.

Beepers, or pagers, were the best way to get in touch with someone.

The trial of OJ Simpson dominated 1995, and one of the most infamous moments was when the former football player tried on a pair of gloves, spawning the phrase "If it doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Platform shoes were also huge in the '90s.

Two of the biggest stars on the planet were Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio who made everyone cry their eyes out in "Titanic."

The Tamagotchi craze swept across the world during the '90s.

The love triangle between Princess Diana, Prince Charles, and Camilla Parker-Bowles culminated in Princess Di wearing what many called her "revenge dress."

Low-rise jeans, Tommy Hilfiger-branded underwear, Destiny's Child, and a young Scarlett Johansson? There's never been a more '90s combo.

Franchise juggernaut "Star Wars" returned in 1999 after a 16-year hiatus with "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace."

Blockbuster Video was the one-stop shop for all your favorite movies, movie snacks, and video games.

Every era has their cast of "SNL," and this era lucked out with comedy all-stars Chris Farley, Chris Rock, Adam Sandler, and David Spade.

David Beckham went from one of the most popular soccer stars in the world to public enemy No. 1 when he was red-carded during the World Cup in 1998.

The era of the supermodel peaked in the '90s with icons like Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, Elle MacPherson, and others.

President Bill Clinton's saxophone ability is the stuff of memes in 2019, but in the '90s it was endearing.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were '90s icons and fashionistas even back then.

Britney Spears released her debut album, "... Baby One More Time" in January 1999, officially beginning her reign as the teen pop queen.

The Kardashian-Jenner clan have been stars since the '90s — just look at this photo of them from 1991.