1995
Key events from 1995
1995
A year of profound tragedy and technological transformation—terror strikes America’s heartland, genocide haunts Europe, while the digital age arrives for millions through a revolutionary operating system.
🌍 Key World Events
| Date | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 19 | Oklahoma City bombing | Domestic terrorist attack kills 168 people, including 19 children, marking America’s deadliest homegrown terrorism. |
| Jul 11 | Srebrenica massacre begins | Serbian forces kill over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II. |
| Nov 4 | Yitzhak Rabin assassinated | Israeli Prime Minister killed by right-wing extremist, devastating the Middle East peace process. |
| Sep 28 | Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement signed | Oslo II Accord expands Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank, though implementation faces major obstacles. |
| Nov 21 | Dayton Agreement signed | Peace accord ends the Bosnian War after nearly four years of brutal conflict and ethnic cleansing. |
🧪 Science & Technology
- Windows 95 released (Aug 24) — Microsoft’s revolutionary OS brings the internet and user-friendly computing to millions, launching with massive marketing campaign.
- DVD technology introduced, promising higher quality video and audio than VHS.
- Java programming language released by Sun Microsystems, enabling cross-platform software development.
- Amazon.com founded by Jeff Bezos (Jul 16), starting as an online bookstore that will transform retail.
- eBay (initially AuctionWeb) launches (Sep 3), pioneering online auctions and peer-to-peer commerce.
🎨 Culture & Society
- “Toy Story” premieres (Nov 22) — First fully computer-animated feature film revolutionizes animation and launches Pixar into prominence.
- “Braveheart” wins Best Picture at the Academy Awards, with Mel Gibson’s epic becoming a cultural phenomenon.
- Jerry Garcia dies (Aug 9) — Grateful Dead founder’s death marks the end of an era for counterculture music.
- O.J. Simpson verdict (Oct 3) — “Not guilty” verdict in televised murder trial divides America and dominates national conversation.
- “Friends” and “ER” dominate television, defining 1990s TV culture.
👶 Notable Births
| Name | Born | Legacy |
|---|---|---|
| Kendall Jenner | Nov 3 | Model and media personality. |
| Ariana Grande | Jun 26 | Grammy-winning pop star and actress. |
⚰️ Notable Deaths
- Jerry Garcia (Aug 9) — Grateful Dead frontman and counterculture icon.
- Yitzhak Rabin (Nov 4) — Israeli Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- Dean Martin (Dec 25) — Legendary entertainer and member of the Rat Pack.
- Ginger Rogers (Apr 25) — Iconic actress and dancer from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
📚 Quick Facts & Trivia
- Internet Growth: By 1995, the internet had approximately 16 million users worldwide—a number that would explode in coming years.
- Windows 95 Launch: Microsoft spent $300 million on marketing, including licensing the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up” for commercials.
- DVD vs VHS: The DVD format, though introduced in 1995, wouldn’t overtake VHS until the early 2000s.
- Million Man March (Oct 16) — Hundreds of thousands of African American men gather in Washington D.C. for unity and activism.