49 Pics of What the World Looked Like In 1990

Carly Tennes Published 10/11/2024 in wow

Kicking off the millennium's final decade, 1990 had much to live up to. Yet with massive revolutions, iconic films, and legendary sports feats, the year not only lived up to its promise but also created some very cool photo-ops along the way.

From World Cup plays to our Earth as a "Pale Blue Dot," here are 49 photos of what life looked like in 1990.

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1.
Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder. During his January 1993 swearing in ceremony. He was the first African American lawmaker to be elected as governor
2.
Tennis star John McEnroe during the 1990 U.S. Open. He was disqualified from the Grand Slam tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.
3.
Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry during his 1990 arrest.
4.
NASA’s famed “Pale Blue Dot” photo of Earth. The images was taken by NASA’s Voyager 1 in February 1990.
5.
A still from the pilot episode of ‘Twin Peaks.’ The beloved mystery series premiered in April, 1990.
6.
“A crowd blocks the passage of Soviet tanks on a road near Ganja, formerly Kirovabad, in Soviet Azerbaijan, on January 22, 1990.”
7.
Nelson and Winnie Mandela shortly after his release from prison, 1990.
8.
“The 1990 Discovery launch, carrying the Hubble Telescope. Having a deployment of nearly 600km, almost twice the shuttle's typical working altitude, the Columbia was put on standby for rescue. In the shadow of Challenger, we had redundancy.”
9.
“30,000 Russians queue for the first McDonald's in the Soviet Union, January 30th 1990.”
10.
A still from the iconic pottery scene in ’Ghost.’ The film first hit theaters in July 1990.
11.
President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on the White House South Lawn, July 1990.
12.
Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and President George H. W. Bush during the 1990 Washington Summit.
13.
The aftermath of the 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake in northern Iran.
14.
“On the 3rd of October 1990 Germany was finally reunited. We celebrate the German Unity Day ever since.”
15.
"1990 South Dakota: Sue Hendrickson and Peter Larson posing next to the dug up skull of Sue, the most complete T-Rex ever discovered, 90% of Sue's bones were unearthed. The dinosaur was named after Hendrickson who first made the discovery.”
16.
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appears at a Paris press conference with President George H. W. Bush in November 1990. Days later, she would resign from her role after 11 years in office.
17.
“Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson in 1990.”
18.
“Mohawk warrior attacks Canadian soldiers during Oka crisis July-Sep 1990 which began when the Canadian government approved the seizure of Mohawk land for a private golf course - A 14 yr old Mohawk teen was bayoneted in the chest and almost died. Canada took the land in the end.”
19.
“Shopping in Soviet Vilnius, Lithuania, 1990.”
20.
The Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge sinks, November 1990.
21.
“Matt Groening in 1990 at the age of 36 with a little Homer Simpson (1990).”
22.
“Hungarian-Italian [adult] star Ciccolina (Ilona Staller) says goodbye to Soviet tanks leaving Hungary, March 12, 1990.”
23.
“Trinidad and Tobago soldiers on the roof of the Guardian Media building during the 1990 coup attempt led by the local islamist organization Jamaat al Muslimeen, supported by Gaddafi.”
24.
“On 2nd of August 1990 Thirty years on, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait still haunts region.”
25.
“Young Angela Merkel having a Schnaps with fishermen on the island of Rügen during her first MP campaign in summer 1990.”
26.
“British and French workers meet while digging the 'Chunnel', which connected Britain and mainland Europe for the first time. 1990.”
27.
“Bill Gates introducing Windows 3.0, 1990.”
28.
“Massive pro-independence rally in Baku, Azerbaijan - January 1990.”
29.
“1990 World Cup: François Omam-Biyik heads in the only goal of Cameroon's win over Argentina in Milan.”
30.
“Arnie supporting Disabled Athletes in the early 1990’s.”
31.
“London during the Poll Tax Riots of 1990, UK.”
32.
“Widely considered the photo that changed the face of AIDS: A father comforts his son, David Kirby, on his deathbed in Ohio. Published in LIFE magazine, November 1990. Photo by Therese Frare.”
33.
“London Heathrow Airport, March 1990.”
34.
“Statues of Stalin being removed from Budapest, Hungary, 1990.”
35.
“Boris Yeltsin visits a grocery store in Houston, Texas with an official Soviet delegation (1990).”
36.
“My mom in 1990.”
37.
“Manhattan in the 1990’s.”
38.
“Tom Petty grocery shopping in L.A. circa 1990.”
39.
“Washington Square Park, New York City, circa 1990.”
40.
“1990 Me, my mullet, and Danny Glover.”
41.
“Thanksgiving Meal During the Gulf War, 1990.”
42.
“My first day of 1st grade, 1990.”
43.
“Me and the second most beautiful woman I've seen in person (1990).”
44.
“WrestleMania VI April 1,1990.”
45.
“The day I was brought home, June 1990.”
46.
“Senior Picture Class of 1990.”
47.
“My parents when they first started dating. Circa 1990.”
48.
“Paul Rudd as my Aunt’s waiter at Bennigan’s in 1990.”
49.
“My Dad 1990.”

1.
Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder. During his January 1993 swearing in ceremony. He was the first African American lawmaker to be elected as governor
2.
Tennis star John McEnroe during the 1990 U.S. Open. He was disqualified from the Grand Slam tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.
3.
Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry during his 1990 arrest.
4.
NASA’s famed “Pale Blue Dot” photo of Earth. The images was taken by NASA’s Voyager 1 in February 1990.
5.
A still from the pilot episode of ‘Twin Peaks.’ The beloved mystery series premiered in April, 1990.
6.
“A crowd blocks the passage of Soviet tanks on a road near Ganja, formerly Kirovabad, in Soviet Azerbaijan, on January 22, 1990.”
7.
Nelson and Winnie Mandela shortly after his release from prison, 1990.
8.
“The 1990 Discovery launch, carrying the Hubble Telescope. Having a deployment of nearly 600km, almost twice the shuttle's typical working altitude, the Columbia was put on standby for rescue. In the shadow of Challenger, we had redundancy.”
9.
“30,000 Russians queue for the first McDonald's in the Soviet Union, January 30th 1990.”
10.
A still from the iconic pottery scene in ’Ghost.’ The film first hit theaters in July 1990.
11.
President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on the White House South Lawn, July 1990.
12.
Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and President George H. W. Bush during the 1990 Washington Summit.
13.
The aftermath of the 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake in northern Iran.
14.
“On the 3rd of October 1990 Germany was finally reunited. We celebrate the German Unity Day ever since.”
15.
"1990 South Dakota: Sue Hendrickson and Peter Larson posing next to the dug up skull of Sue, the most complete T-Rex ever discovered, 90% of Sue's bones were unearthed. The dinosaur was named after Hendrickson who first made the discovery.”
16.
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appears at a Paris press conference with President George H. W. Bush in November 1990. Days later, she would resign from her role after 11 years in office.
17.
“Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson in 1990.”
18.
“Mohawk warrior attacks Canadian soldiers during Oka crisis July-Sep 1990 which began when the Canadian government approved the seizure of Mohawk land for a private golf course - A 14 yr old Mohawk teen was bayoneted in the chest and almost died. Canada took the land in the end.”
19.
“Shopping in Soviet Vilnius, Lithuania, 1990.”
20.
The Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge sinks, November 1990.
21.
“Matt Groening in 1990 at the age of 36 with a little Homer Simpson (1990).”
22.
“Hungarian-Italian [adult] star Ciccolina (Ilona Staller) says goodbye to Soviet tanks leaving Hungary, March 12, 1990.”
23.
“Trinidad and Tobago soldiers on the roof of the Guardian Media building during the 1990 coup attempt led by the local islamist organization Jamaat al Muslimeen, supported by Gaddafi.”
24.
“On 2nd of August 1990 Thirty years on, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait still haunts region.”
25.
“Young Angela Merkel having a Schnaps with fishermen on the island of Rügen during her first MP campaign in summer 1990.”
26.
“British and French workers meet while digging the 'Chunnel', which connected Britain and mainland Europe for the first time. 1990.”
27.
“Bill Gates introducing Windows 3.0, 1990.”
28.
“Massive pro-independence rally in Baku, Azerbaijan - January 1990.”
29.
“1990 World Cup: François Omam-Biyik heads in the only goal of Cameroon's win over Argentina in Milan.”
30.
“Arnie supporting Disabled Athletes in the early 1990’s.”
31.
“London during the Poll Tax Riots of 1990, UK.”
32.
“Widely considered the photo that changed the face of AIDS: A father comforts his son, David Kirby, on his deathbed in Ohio. Published in LIFE magazine, November 1990. Photo by Therese Frare.”
33.
“London Heathrow Airport, March 1990.”
34.
“Statues of Stalin being removed from Budapest, Hungary, 1990.”
35.
“Boris Yeltsin visits a grocery store in Houston, Texas with an official Soviet delegation (1990).”
36.
“My mom in 1990.”
37.
“Manhattan in the 1990’s.”
38.
“Tom Petty grocery shopping in L.A. circa 1990.”
39.
“Washington Square Park, New York City, circa 1990.”
40.
“1990 Me, my mullet, and Danny Glover.”
41.
“Thanksgiving Meal During the Gulf War, 1990.”
42.
“My first day of 1st grade, 1990.”
43.
“Me and the second most beautiful woman I've seen in person (1990).”
44.
“WrestleMania VI April 1,1990.”
45.
“The day I was brought home, June 1990.”
46.
“Senior Picture Class of 1990.”
47.
“My parents when they first started dating. Circa 1990.”
48.
“Paul Rudd as my Aunt’s waiter at Bennigan’s in 1990.”
49.
“My Dad 1990.”

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NEXT GALLERY 40 Trashy Trucks Terrorizing the Road

1. Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder. During his January 1993 swearing in ceremony. He was the first African American lawmaker to be elected as governor

2. Tennis star John McEnroe during the 1990 U.S. Open. He was disqualified from the Grand Slam tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.

3. Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry during his 1990 arrest.

4. NASA’s famed “Pale Blue Dot” photo of Earth. The images was taken by NASA’s Voyager 1 in February 1990.

5. A still from the pilot episode of ‘Twin Peaks.’ The beloved mystery series premiered in April, 1990.

6. “A crowd blocks the passage of Soviet tanks on a road near Ganja, formerly Kirovabad, in Soviet Azerbaijan, on January 22, 1990.”

7. Nelson and Winnie Mandela shortly after his release from prison, 1990.

8. “The 1990 Discovery launch, carrying the Hubble Telescope. Having a deployment of nearly 600km, almost twice the shuttle's typical working altitude, the Columbia was put on standby for rescue. In the shadow of Challenger, we had redundancy.”

9. “30,000 Russians queue for the first McDonald's in the Soviet Union, January 30th 1990.”

10. A still from the iconic pottery scene in ’Ghost.’ The film first hit theaters in July 1990.

11. President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on the White House South Lawn, July 1990.

12. Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and President George H. W. Bush during the 1990 Washington Summit.

13. The aftermath of the 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake in northern Iran.

14. “On the 3rd of October 1990 Germany was finally reunited. We celebrate the German Unity Day ever since.”

15. "1990 South Dakota: Sue Hendrickson and Peter Larson posing next to the dug up skull of Sue, the most complete T-Rex ever discovered, 90% of Sue's bones were unearthed. The dinosaur was named after Hendrickson who first made the discovery.”

16. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appears at a Paris press conference with President George H. W. Bush in November 1990. Days later, she would resign from her role after 11 years in office.

17. “Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson in 1990.”

18. “Mohawk warrior attacks Canadian soldiers during Oka crisis July-Sep 1990 which began when the Canadian government approved the seizure of Mohawk land for a private golf course - A 14 yr old Mohawk teen was bayoneted in the chest and almost died. Canada took the land in the end.”

19. “Shopping in Soviet Vilnius, Lithuania, 1990.”

20. The Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge sinks, November 1990.

21. “Matt Groening in 1990 at the age of 36 with a little Homer Simpson (1990).”

22. “Hungarian-Italian [adult] star Ciccolina (Ilona Staller) says goodbye to Soviet tanks leaving Hungary, March 12, 1990.”

23. “Trinidad and Tobago soldiers on the roof of the Guardian Media building during the 1990 coup attempt led by the local islamist organization Jamaat al Muslimeen, supported by Gaddafi.”

24. “On 2nd of August 1990 Thirty years on, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait still haunts region.”

25. “Young Angela Merkel having a Schnaps with fishermen on the island of Rügen during her first MP campaign in summer 1990.”

26. “British and French workers meet while digging the 'Chunnel', which connected Britain and mainland Europe for the first time. 1990.”

27. “Bill Gates introducing Windows 3.0, 1990.”

28. “Massive pro-independence rally in Baku, Azerbaijan - January 1990.”

29. “1990 World Cup: François Omam-Biyik heads in the only goal of Cameroon's win over Argentina in Milan.”

30. “Arnie supporting Disabled Athletes in the early 1990’s.”

31. “London during the Poll Tax Riots of 1990, UK.”

32. “Widely considered the photo that changed the face of AIDS: A father comforts his son, David Kirby, on his deathbed in Ohio. Published in LIFE magazine, November 1990. Photo by Therese Frare.”

33. “London Heathrow Airport, March 1990.”

34. “Statues of Stalin being removed from Budapest, Hungary, 1990.”

35. “Boris Yeltsin visits a grocery store in Houston, Texas with an official Soviet delegation (1990).”

36. “My mom in 1990.”

37. “Manhattan in the 1990’s.”

38. “Tom Petty grocery shopping in L.A. circa 1990.”

39. “Washington Square Park, New York City, circa 1990.”

40. “1990 Me, my mullet, and Danny Glover.”

41. “Thanksgiving Meal During the Gulf War, 1990.”

42. “My first day of 1st grade, 1990.”

43. “Me and the second most beautiful woman I've seen in person (1990).”

44. “WrestleMania VI April 1,1990.”

45. “The day I was brought home, June 1990.”

46. “Senior Picture Class of 1990.”

47. “My parents when they first started dating. Circa 1990.”

48. “Paul Rudd as my Aunt’s waiter at Bennigan’s in 1990.”

49. “My Dad 1990.”

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1.
Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder. During his January 1993 swearing in ceremony. He was the first African American lawmaker to be elected as governor

2.
Tennis star John McEnroe during the 1990 U.S. Open. He was disqualified from the Grand Slam tournament for unsportsmanlike conduct.

3.
Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry during his 1990 arrest.

4.
NASA’s famed “Pale Blue Dot” photo of Earth. The images was taken by NASA’s Voyager 1 in February 1990.

5.
A still from the pilot episode of ‘Twin Peaks.’ The beloved mystery series premiered in April, 1990.

6.
“A crowd blocks the passage of Soviet tanks on a road near Ganja, formerly Kirovabad, in Soviet Azerbaijan, on January 22, 1990.”

7.
Nelson and Winnie Mandela shortly after his release from prison, 1990.

8.
“The 1990 Discovery launch, carrying the Hubble Telescope. Having a deployment of nearly 600km, almost twice the shuttle's typical working altitude, the Columbia was put on standby for rescue. In the shadow of Challenger, we had redundancy.”

9.
“30,000 Russians queue for the first McDonald's in the Soviet Union, January 30th 1990.”

10.
A still from the iconic pottery scene in ’Ghost.’ The film first hit theaters in July 1990.

11.
President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act on the White House South Lawn, July 1990.

12.
Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and President George H. W. Bush during the 1990 Washington Summit.

13.
The aftermath of the 1990 Manjil–Rudbar earthquake in northern Iran.

14.
“On the 3rd of October 1990 Germany was finally reunited. We celebrate the German Unity Day ever since.”

15.
"1990 South Dakota: Sue Hendrickson and Peter Larson posing next to the dug up skull of Sue, the most complete T-Rex ever discovered, 90% of Sue's bones were unearthed. The dinosaur was named after Hendrickson who first made the discovery.”

16.
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher appears at a Paris press conference with President George H. W. Bush in November 1990. Days later, she would resign from her role after 11 years in office.

17.
“Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson in 1990.”

18.
“Mohawk warrior attacks Canadian soldiers during Oka crisis July-Sep 1990 which began when the Canadian government approved the seizure of Mohawk land for a private golf course - A 14 yr old Mohawk teen was bayoneted in the chest and almost died. Canada took the land in the end.”

19.
“Shopping in Soviet Vilnius, Lithuania, 1990.”

20.
The Lacey V. Murrow Floating Bridge sinks, November 1990.

21.
“Matt Groening in 1990 at the age of 36 with a little Homer Simpson (1990).”

22.
“Hungarian-Italian [adult] star Ciccolina (Ilona Staller) says goodbye to Soviet tanks leaving Hungary, March 12, 1990.”

23.
“Trinidad and Tobago soldiers on the roof of the Guardian Media building during the 1990 coup attempt led by the local islamist organization Jamaat al Muslimeen, supported by Gaddafi.”

24.
“On 2nd of August 1990 Thirty years on, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait still haunts region.”

25.
“Young Angela Merkel having a Schnaps with fishermen on the island of Rügen during her first MP campaign in summer 1990.”

26.
“British and French workers meet while digging the 'Chunnel', which connected Britain and mainland Europe for the first time. 1990.”

27.
“Bill Gates introducing Windows 3.0, 1990.”

28.
“Massive pro-independence rally in Baku, Azerbaijan - January 1990.”

29.
“1990 World Cup: François Omam-Biyik heads in the only goal of Cameroon's win over Argentina in Milan.”

30.
“Arnie supporting Disabled Athletes in the early 1990’s.”

31.
“London during the Poll Tax Riots of 1990, UK.”

32.
“Widely considered the photo that changed the face of AIDS: A father comforts his son, David Kirby, on his deathbed in Ohio. Published in LIFE magazine, November 1990. Photo by Therese Frare.”

33.
“London Heathrow Airport, March 1990.”

34.
“Statues of Stalin being removed from Budapest, Hungary, 1990.”

35.
“Boris Yeltsin visits a grocery store in Houston, Texas with an official Soviet delegation (1990).”

36.
“My mom in 1990.”

37.
“Manhattan in the 1990’s.”

38.
“Tom Petty grocery shopping in L.A. circa 1990.”

39.
“Washington Square Park, New York City, circa 1990.”

40.
“1990 Me, my mullet, and Danny Glover.”

41.
“Thanksgiving Meal During the Gulf War, 1990.”

42.
“My first day of 1st grade, 1990.”

43.
“Me and the second most beautiful woman I've seen in person (1990).”

44.
“WrestleMania VI April 1,1990.”

45.
“The day I was brought home, June 1990.”

46.
“Senior Picture Class of 1990.”

47.
“My parents when they first started dating. Circa 1990.”

48.
“Paul Rudd as my Aunt’s waiter at Bennigan’s in 1990.”

49.
“My Dad 1990.”