January 8 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov on Soyuz TM-18 leaves for …, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 85 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined January 8 across the 1990s.
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov on Soyuz TM-18 leaves for Mir. He would stay o…
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov on Soyuz TM-18 leaves for Mir. He would stay on the space station until March 22, 1995, for a record 437 days in space.
An Antonov An-32 cargo aircraft crashes into a crowded market in Kinshasa, Zaire…
An Antonov An-32 cargo aircraft crashes into a crowded market in Kinshasa, Zaire, killing up to 223 people on the ground; two of six crew members are also killed.
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Cyndi Lauper (host), Metallica, Bob Dylan · Una Mangiata Siciliana – A Sicilian Meal + 14 more
16 episodes aired on January 8, 1994: "Cyndi Lauper (host), Metallica, Bob Dylan", "Una Mangiata Siciliana – A Sicilian Meal", "A Rogue's Tale", "Jumping On The Sonics Bandwagon", and 12 more.
1994 NFL Playoffs Divisional round (2) · The Enemy Within + 6 more
8 episodes aired on January 8, 1995: "1994 NFL Playoffs Divisional round (2)", "The Enemy Within", "Homer the Great", "Chi of Steel", and 4 more.
The Big Apple Can Bite Me · gift exchanging tips + 13 more
15 episodes aired on January 8, 1996: "The Big Apple Can Bite Me", "gift exchanging tips", "The Black Wolf", "Jan. 8, 1996", and 11 more.
Ep. #7949 · January 08 1997 + 16 more
18 episodes aired on January 8, 1997: "Ep. #7949", "January 08 1997", "Jan 08 1997", "Wednesday, January 8, 1997", and 14 more.
Clear As a Bell · January 08 1998 + 16 more
18 episodes aired on January 8, 1998: "Clear As a Bell", "January 08 1998", "January 8 1998", "Janaury 08 1998", and 14 more.
TRL Countdown — 1999
Total Request Live was the center of the pop universe. Teens were burning up the phone lines to vote, and the countdown from Times Square was the most-watched 30 minutes on MTV.
The reigning #1 — retired from the countdown after an extended run at the top.
Korn's "Freak On A Leash" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Britney Spears's "...Baby One More Time" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
*NSYNC's "I Drive Myself Crazy" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Eminem's "My Name Is" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Sugar Ray's "Every Morning" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
98 Degrees's "The Hardest Thing" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Limp Bizkit's "Nookie" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Music
From chart-toppers to birthdays to passings — what the music world was up to on January 8 across the decade.
Steve Clark, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1960)…
Steve Clark, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1960)
Metin Göktepe, Turkish photographer and journalist (born 1968)…
Metin Göktepe, Turkish photographer and journalist (born 1968)
Damiano David, Italian singer-songwriter
Damiano David, Italian singer-songwriter
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from January 8 across the 1990s.
Blair Walsh, American football player
Blair Walsh, American football player
Stefan Johansen, Norwegian footballer
Stefan Johansen, Norwegian footballer · Stefan Savić, Montenegrin footballer · Greg Smith, American basketball player
Stefanie Dolson, American basketball player
Stefanie Dolson, American basketball player · Koke, Spanish footballer
Glenn Robinson III, American basketball player
Glenn Robinson III, American basketball player · Harvey Haddix, American baseball player and coach (born 1925)
Tony Bradley, American basketball player
Tony Bradley, American basketball player · Jhoan Durán, Dominican baseball player
Ignas Brazdeikis, Lithuanian-Canadian basketball player
Ignas Brazdeikis, Lithuanian-Canadian basketball player
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Bernard Krigstein
Bernard Krigstein, American illustrator (born 1919)
Terry-Thomas
Terry-Thomas, English actor and comedian (born 1911)
Josh Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood, Australian cricketer
Valkyrae
Valkyrae, American online streamer
Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov on Soyuz TM-18 leaves for Mir. He would stay on the space station until March 22, 1995, for a record 437 days in space.
An Antonov An-32 cargo aircraft crashes into a crowded market in Kinshasa, Zaire, killing up to 223 people on the ground; two of six crew members are also killed.
François Mitterrand, French sergeant and politician, 21st President of France (born 1916)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Steve Clark
Steve Clark, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1960)
Metin Göktepe
Metin Göktepe, Turkish photographer and journalist (born 1968)
Damiano David
Damiano David, Italian singer-songwriter
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Blair Walsh
Blair Walsh, American football player
Stefan Johansen
Stefan Johansen, Norwegian footballer
Stefan Savić
Stefan Savić, Montenegrin footballer
Greg Smith (basketball, born 1991)
Greg Smith, American basketball player
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Ciao Italia
"Una Mangiata Siciliana – A Sicilian Meal" (Season 5, Episode 1) aired on 1994-01-08.
X-Men
"A Rogue's Tale" (Season 2, Episode 9) aired on 1994-01-08.
Almost Live
"Jumping On The Sonics Bandwagon" (Season 10, Episode 12) aired on 1994-01-08.
Conan and the Young Warriors
"Once a Thief" (Season 1, Episode 8) aired on 1994-01-08.
"Cyndi Lauper (host), Metallica, Bob Dylan" (Season 1994, Episode 1) aired on 1994-01-08.
"1993 NFL Wild Card Round (1)" (Season 1993, Episode 19) aired on 1994-01-08.
"Pittsburgh Steelers at Kansas City Chiefs (AFC Wild Card)" (Season 2017, Episode ?) aired on 1994-01-08.
"The Tale of the Midnight Ride" (Season 3, Episode 1) aired on 1994-01-08.
"Legend of the Running Bear" (Season 2, Episode 11) aired on 1994-01-08.
"Jason Patric / Blind Melon" (Season 19, Episode 10) aired on 1994-01-08.
"1994 NFL Playoffs Divisional round (2)" (Season 1994, Episode 21) aired on 1995-01-08.
"Chi of Steel" (Season 2, Episode 11) aired on 1995-01-08.
"The Naked and the Dead, But Mostly the Naked" (Season 9, Episode 14) aired on 1995-01-08.
"Monday January 08 1996" (Season 25, Episode 5) aired on 1996-01-08.
"Monday January 08 1996" (Season 1996, Episode 6) aired on 1996-01-08.
"Henry Kissinger: A Diplomat's Life" (Season 1995, Episode 99) aired on 1996-01-08.
"Sam Neill, Itzhak Perlman" (Season 1996, Episode 5) aired on 1996-01-08.
"Danny's Dead and Who's Got the Will?" (Season 4, Episode 12) aired on 1997-01-08.
"John Salley" (Season 1997, Episode 3) aired on 1997-01-08.
"Woody Harrelson, Jackie Chan, John Pizzarelli" (Season 1997, Episode 5) aired on 1997-01-08.
"Jason Bateman" (Season 1998, Episode 4) aired on 1998-01-08.
"Minnie Driver, Paul Simon, Cast of The Capeman" (Season 1998, Episode 4) aired on 1998-01-08.
Total Request Live had teenagers calling in around the clock. Here's what was charting:
The #1 most requested video on TRL on this date in 1999
#2 on TRL — Korn, "Freak On A Leash"
#3 on TRL — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#4 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#5 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#6 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#7 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#8 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#9 on TRL — Brandy & Monica, "The Boy Is Mine"
#10 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
By Year
Get This in Your Inbox Every Morning
Every day at midnight, a fresh dose of 90s nostalgia hits your inbox — tailored to today's date in the 1990s. Music, news, sports, movies and more.
Browse All Posts →