1990's

Aids Epidemic (1987-1992)

The AIDS Epidemic affected the world dramatically because it was extremely deadly and caused many deaths. Everyone was at risk, even celebrities couldn't escape its grasp. In 1999 approximately 2.6 million people died of this disease totaling 16.3 million world wide. In January 29, 1990 the FDA approved Diflucan tablets that treat two serious types of AIDS: Cryptococal Meningitis and Candiasis. 

• Magic johnson announces that he has HIV and that he's retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers
• Former NWA rapper Eric Whright AKA Eazy-E dies from aids on February 24, 1995 
• Ryan White Resource Centers Act : improve the quality of care for low-income, uninsured or underinsured people and families affected by the HIV virus

                                                         Magic                                                                          Eric                                          

                                                       Johnson                                                                     Whright

Designer Clothes

The styles in the 1990's varied because of the constant  changing of fashions. Many things were "in" for example tattoos and body piercings were in style, even today. Flannels were another thing that were very in style in the mid-90's. In the early 1990's many things were in like cat suits which were super tight suits which came in very bright colors. Flourescent colored shirts and clothing were very common among teenagers and young college students. Oversized shirts were in and the tennis shoes Keds were very stylish along with some brightly colored leg warmers. Getting your hair cut around this time was not very common because many people loved their long hair. Long hair was the style especially if it was in a side pony tail with some long bangs for girls.

• Designer clothes were very in style especially if they displayed Italian or French tags like Armani, Gucci and Channel.
• Suits had gone out of style and men began to dress smart-casual or business-casual, a trend that was started by Bill Gates of Microsoft.
• Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of the band Nirvana, had a grunge style that inspired many followers to attempt the same look.

Music

The first half of the 1990's were a time of intese music like Alternative Rock, Thrash Metal, Nu Metal, Pop-Punk, and Grudge. The second half of the 1990's were filled withh preppy tunes like Ballads, Pop, Teen Pop, House Music, R&B, Electronic, Country,and Hip-Hop. Post-Brit Pop bands were also popular in the United States like the Spice Girls, The Beatles, The Verve, Rolling Stones, and Radiohead. Some of the bands that defined Alternative Rock were Blind Melon, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Smashing Pumpkins, Sublime, Hole, Cake, Weezer, Live, and Alice in Chains.

• In the early 90s Rodney King's incident sparked many rap artist to rap about political and social issues artists such as Tupac Shakura, Notorious BIG, and groups such as NWA , Public Enemy, and Wu Tang Clan.
• Pop-Punk is first introduced by Green Day and later by Blink 182, The Off-Spring, Weezer and Bad Religion
• Nu Metal is introduced by Korn and Limp Bizkit
• Metallica comes up with Thrash Metal, a new style of rock music
• Madonna, Goldie, Mobi, and Roni Size are most famous for their electronic music in the 90's 
• Famous bands in the first half of the decade were Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and Van Halen 
• In the second half of the decade Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Meatloaf, and U2 were very popular

                      

Persian Gulf War (1990-1991)

The Persian Gulf War, also known as the Gulf War, involved the UN-authorized troops (34 nations) led by the United States to the State of Kuwait. It first started when Iraq invaded and annexed the State of Kuwait. On January 17,1991 UN troops bombarded the state of Kuwait by air and on February 23 that same year they invaded the state by land and freeing the state from Iraqi troops. The Iraqi troops cease-fired a few hours after the invasion on land. The Iraqis released missiles towards allied targets in Saudi Arabia and Israel. 

• Resolution 660 : the withdrawl of iraqi troops and a haly on the invasion
• UN Resolution 665 : naval blockade to enforce economic sanctions against Iraq
• Operation Desert Shield : US troops sent to Saudi Arabia because President Bush feared that the Iraqi would invade Saudi Arabia
• Resolution 678 : gave Iraq a deadline for removing its troops until Jan. 15, 1991 and said that if it was absolutely necessary they would be able to use force to move them out  

Rodney King and the LA Riots (1991-1992)

Rodney King was an innocent man who was attacked by LAPD police officers in the streets of Los Angeles on March 3, 1991. George Holiday, a bystander, videotaped most of the violent incident. The vidro tape showed LAPD police officers repeatedly striking King with their batons while other officers stood by and watched the assault, doing nothing to stop it. Three of the officers were pressed charges, meanwhile the court could not agree on the fourth mans' charges. On the other hand the LAPD was shocked and declared that the be men were to be dismissed of their jobs because they were not worthy to wear the uniforms. 

• Most of the video was aired by news stations and the publics reaction was intense and furious by the police brutality and social inequalities in LA
• In the riots 53 died and 2,383 were injured
• More than 7,000 fires were started, 3,100 business were damaged and there were $1 billion financial losses 
• King was rewarded with $3.8 million which he used to start a music label called Straight Atta-Pazz Recording Company

Interview

Wojo interview.mp4