January 15 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forc…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 84 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined January 15 across the 1990s.
The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuw…
The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, preparing the way for the start of Operation Desert Storm.
Gulzarilal Nanda, Indian economist and politician, Prime Minister of India (born…
Gulzarilal Nanda, Indian economist and politician, Prime Minister of India (born 1898)
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Howard Jones (host), Elton John, George Michael, Tammy Wynette, RuPaul, Evangeline, Jackson Browne · Biscotti di Mama – Mom's Cookies + 16 more
18 episodes aired on January 15, 1994: "Howard Jones (host), Elton John, George Michael, Tammy Wynette, RuPaul, Evangeline, Jackson Browne", "Biscotti di Mama – Mom's Cookies", "Beauty & the Beast", "Tonya Hardings Dance Party", and 14 more.
NFC Championship Pregame · 1994 AFC & NFC Championship Games + 2 more
4 episodes aired on January 15, 1995: "NFC Championship Pregame", "1994 AFC & NFC Championship Games", "Kelly Takes a Shot", "The Sound of Madness".
Martin Luther King Day celebration · Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts + 12 more
14 episodes aired on January 15, 1996: "Martin Luther King Day celebration", "Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts", "A Family Portrait", "Win Sam, Lose Sam", and 10 more.
Ep. #7954 · January 15 1997 + 15 more
17 episodes aired on January 15, 1997: "Ep. #7954", "January 15 1997", "Wednesday, January 15, 1997", "Kissing Cousins", and 13 more.
The Great Pretender · Jan 15 1998 + 13 more
15 episodes aired on January 15, 1998: "The Great Pretender", "Jan 15 1998", "Jan 15 1998", "The One With the Embryos", and 11 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills" 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 15 across the decade.
Peggy van Praagh, English ballerina, choreographer, and director (born 1910)…
Peggy van Praagh, English ballerina, choreographer, and director (born 1910)
Sammy Cahn, American songwriter (born 1913)
Sammy Cahn, American songwriter (born 1913)
Harry Nilsson, American singer-songwriter (born 1941)
Harry Nilsson, American singer-songwriter (born 1941)
Junior Wells, American singer-songwriter and harmonica player (born 1934)…
Junior Wells, American singer-songwriter and harmonica player (born 1934)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from January 15 across the 1990s.
Robert Trznadel, Polish footballer
Robert Trznadel, Polish footballer
Marc Bartra, Spanish footballer
Marc Bartra, Spanish footballer · Matt Duffy, American baseball player · Mitch Garver, American baseball player · Nicolai Jørgensen, Danish footballer · James Mitchell, Australian basketball player
Joël Veltman, Dutch footballer
Joël Veltman, Dutch footballer · Joshua King, Norwegian footballer
Kadeem Allen, American basketball player
Kadeem Allen, American basketball player
Eric Dier, English footballer
Eric Dier, English footballer
Deebo Samuel, American football player
Deebo Samuel, American football player
Ben Godfrey, English footballer
Ben Godfrey, English footballer · Chloe Kelly, English footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
Peggy van Praagh
Peggy van Praagh, English ballerina, choreographer, and director (born 1910)
Read more →
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Slava Voynov
Slava Voynov, Russian ice hockey player
Gordon Jackson (actor)
Gordon Jackson, Scottish-English actor (born 1923)
United Nations
The United Nations deadline for the withdrawal of Iraqi forces from occupied Kuwait expires, preparing the way for the start of Operation Desert Storm.
Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II, in her capacity as Queen of Australia, signs letters patent allowing Australia to become the first Commonwealth realm to institute its own Victoria Cross in its honours system.
Gulzarilal Nanda, Indian economist and politician, Prime Minister of India (born 1898)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Peggy van Praagh
Peggy van Praagh, English ballerina, choreographer, and director (born 1910)
Sammy Cahn
Sammy Cahn, American songwriter (born 1913)
Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson, American singer-songwriter (born 1941)
Junior Wells
Junior Wells, American singer-songwriter and harmonica player (born 1934)
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Marc Bartra
Marc Bartra, Spanish footballer
Matt Duffy
Matt Duffy, American baseball player
Mitch Garver
Mitch Garver, American baseball player
Nicolai Jørgensen
Nicolai Jørgensen, Danish footballer
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Ciao Italia
"Biscotti di Mama – Mom's Cookies" (Season 5, Episode 2) aired on 1994-01-15.
X-Men
"Beauty & the Beast" (Season 2, Episode 10) aired on 1994-01-15.
Almost Live
"Tonya Hardings Dance Party" (Season 10, Episode 13) aired on 1994-01-15.
Soul Train
"Mavis Staples/ Funky Poets" (Season 23, Episode 13) aired on 1994-01-15.
"Howard Jones (host), Elton John, George Michael, Tammy Wynette, RuPaul, Evangeline, Jackson Browne" (Season 1994, Episode 2) aired on 1994-01-15.
"1993 NFL Playoffs Divisional Round (1)" (Season 1993, Episode 21) aired on 1994-01-15.
"The Tale of Apartment 214" (Season 3, Episode 2) aired on 1994-01-15.
"Something in the Shadows (1)" (Season 2, Episode 12) aired on 1994-01-15.
"Rosanne Cash / Carlene Carter" (Season 19, Episode 1) aired on 1994-01-15.
"Sara Gilbert / Counting Crows" (Season 19, Episode 11) aired on 1994-01-15.
"1994 AFC & NFC Championship Games" (Season 1994, Episode 22) aired on 1995-01-15.
"The Sound of Madness" (Season 1, Episode 5) aired on 1995-01-15.
"Martin Luther King Day celebration" (Season 1996, Episode 10) aired on 1996-01-15.
"Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts" (Season 1, Episode 12) aired on 1996-01-15.
"Mon Jan 15 1996" (Season 1996, Episode 11) aired on 1996-01-15.
"A Foursome is Not Necessarily a Good Thing" (Season 1, Episode 2) aired on 1997-01-15.
"Jonathan Katz" (Season 1997, Episode 7) aired on 1997-01-15.
"Chris O'Donnell, Debbie Reynolds, Yo Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Mark O'Conner" (Season 1997, Episode 10) aired on 1997-01-15.
"The Great Pretender" (Season 2, Episode 9) aired on 1998-01-15.
"Thurs Jan 15 1998" (Season 27, Episode 31) aired on 1998-01-15.
"Thurs Jan 15 1998" (Season 1998, Episode 10) aired on 1998-01-15.
"Paradise Regained (2)" (Season 4, Episode 20) aired on 1998-01-15.
"Dave Chappelle" (Season 1998, Episode 8) aired on 1998-01-15.
"Kenneth Branagh, Spice Girls, Jim Nantz" (Season 1998, Episode 9) aired on 1998-01-15.
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 — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#3 on TRL — Korn, "Freak On A Leash"
#4 on TRL — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#5 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#6 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#7 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
#8 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#9 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#10 on TRL — Destiny's Child, "Bills, Bills, Bills"
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 →