News
After the collapse of communism and the fall of the Berlin Wall the previous year, East and West Germany agree to unification as a single government with Berlin as the capital.
1990 Context: News, Entertainment, Lifestyle
News
After years of delays the Hubble Space Telescope is launched into low earth orbit by NASA at a cost of $4.7 Billion. An aberration in the telescope's main mirror causes distorted images and is corrected during a manned space mission in 1993.
News
Iraq invades their neighbor Kuwait over an oil dispute. The United Nations sets a deadline for Iraq to withdraw, but this is ignored by Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, eventually leading to the Gulf War in 1991.
Television
The primetime animated sitcom The Simpsons has it's successful first season Dec. 17, 1989 through May 1990. Created by Matt Groening, the series continues today and is the longest running sitcom, animated or scripted television series in US television history. The Simpson's were originally a series of short cartoons aired as part of The Tracey Ullman Show on Fox TV beginning in 1987.
Advertising
A 1990 advertisement for Kmart featuring the Wrangler and Britannia brands.
Advertising
L.A. Gear footwear advertisement "Street Hiking".
Advertising
Vans advertisement in the skateboarding magazine Thrasher.
Advertising
Surfer dudes featured in an ad for the material Supplex by DuPont.
Fashion
Fashion from a 1990 JC Penney catalog.
Fashion
Spirited funwear from My Michelle in the JC Penney catalog.
Advertising
Detail from an advertisement for Skidz clothing.
Fashion
Advertisement for J. Caracci Designs.
Advertising
Professional tennis play Andre Agassi in an ad for Nike.
Television
The teen drama television series Beverly Hills, 90210 debuts on Fox-TV in October, where it would run for ten seasons.
Television
The TV sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air debuts on NBC and runs for six seasons. The series stars rapper Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street smart teen who moves from West Philadelphia to live with his wealthy Aunt and Uncle.
Television
ABC-TV debuts the mystery/drama series Twin Peaks. Directed by filmmaker David Lynch, the moody, surrealist series is cancelled after two seasons. Having gained a devoted cult following, a prequel/sequel movie is later released.
Movies
The number one box office hit of 1990 is the romantic comedy fantasy film Ghost. Directed by Jerry Zucker, the film stars Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Whoopi Goldberg.
Movies
The comedy film Home Alone, starring Macaulay Culkin as eight year old Kevin McCallister, is released to widespread commercial success. Written by John Hughes and directed by Christopher Columbus, the film is the second highest grossing movie of 1990.
Movies
The third highest grossing film of 1990 is the romantic comedy drama Pretty Woman. The film is directed by Garry Marshall and stars Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.
Lifestyle
A group of high school teens wear their sunglasses at night in a 1990 prom photo.
Lifestyle
Ohio University students clown around for the camera.
Lifestyle
A group of high school boys trying out a new dance step.
Lifestyle
Clearwater, Florida high school girls.
Lifestyle
Students at a St. Louis, Missouri high school formal.