May 17 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) …, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 50 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined May 17 across the 1990s.
The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) eliminates homosexua…
The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) eliminates homosexuality from the list of psychiatric diseases.
Shawn Nelson steals an M60 tank from the California Army National Guard Armory i…
Shawn Nelson steals an M60 tank from the California Army National Guard Armory in San Diego and proceeds to go on a rampage.
Troops of Laurent-Désiré Kabila march into Kinshasa. Zaire is officially renamed…
Troops of Laurent-Désiré Kabila march into Kinshasa. Zaire is officially renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo.
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Kevin Pollak · Alfonso Ribiero + 6 more
8 episodes aired on May 17, 1994: "Kevin Pollak", "Alfonso Ribiero", "Isn't It Romantic?", "The Apple Wood Amulet of Emiliano Zapata", and 4 more.
Michael Feinstein · from Charlotte + 5 more
7 episodes aired on May 17, 1995: "Michael Feinstein", "from Charlotte", "Couch Potatoes", "Knives", and 3 more.
Kim Coles · Bruce Boxleitner + 8 more
10 episodes aired on May 17, 1996: "Kim Coles", "Bruce Boxleitner", "Key Witness", "Brother Brother", and 6 more.
Brit Awards · Surf Monkeys Must Dive! + 10 more
12 episodes aired on May 17, 1997: "Brit Awards", "Surf Monkeys Must Dive!", "Joe/ Billy Lawrence/ Phajja", "Monday, May 17, 1997", and 8 more.
The Guardians · Arabian Tales + 10 more
12 episodes aired on May 17, 1998: "The Guardians", "Arabian Tales", "Miracle at Midnight", "Bye Bye Baby", and 8 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.
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.
Backstreet Boys's "I Want It That Way" 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.
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.
*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.
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.
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.
Music
From chart-toppers to birthdays to passings — what the music world was up to on May 17 across the decade.
Adil Omar, Pakistani rapper and music producer
Adil Omar, Pakistani rapper and music producer
Three days of popular protests against the government of Prime Minister of Thail…
Three days of popular protests against the government of Prime Minister of Thailand Suchinda Kraprayoon begin in Bangkok, leading to a military crackdown that results in 52 officially confirmed deaths, hundreds of injuries, many disappearances, and more than 3,500 arrests. · Lawrence Welk, American accordion player and bandleader (born 1903)
Julie Anne San Jose, Filipina singer-songwriter
Julie Anne San Jose, Filipina singer-songwriter
Kevin Gilbert, American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1966)…
Kevin Gilbert, American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1966)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from May 17 across the 1990s.
Will Clyburn, American basketball player
Will Clyburn, American basketball player · Fabian Giefer, German footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
Black May (Thailand)
Three days of popular protests against the government of Prime Minister of Thailand Suchinda Kraprayoon begin in Bangkok, leading to a military crackdown that results in 52 officially confirmed deaths, hundreds of injuries, many disappearances, and more than 3,500 arrests.
Read more →The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
World Health Organization
The General Assembly of the World Health Organization (WHO) eliminates homosexuality from the list of psychiatric diseases.
Charlie Gubb
Charlie Gubb, New Zealand rugby league player
Katrina Hart
Katrina Hart, English runner
Guido Pella
Guido Pella, Argentine tennis player
Shawn Nelson steals an M60 tank from the California Army National Guard Armory in San Diego and proceeds to go on a rampage.
Troops of Laurent-Désiré Kabila march into Kinshasa. Zaire is officially renamed Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Black May (Thailand)
Three days of popular protests against the government of Prime Minister of Thailand Suchinda Kraprayoon begin in Bangkok, leading to a military crackdown that results in 52 officially confirmed deaths, hundreds of injuries, many disappearances, and more than 3,500 arrests.
Lawrence Welk
Lawrence Welk, American accordion player and bandleader (born 1903)
Julie Anne San Jose
Julie Anne San Jose, Filipina singer-songwriter
Kevin Gilbert (musician)
Kevin Gilbert, American singer-songwriter and producer (born 1966)
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Will Clyburn
Will Clyburn, American basketball player
Fabian Giefer
Fabian Giefer, German footballer
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Roseanne
"Isn't It Romantic?" (Season 6, Episode 24) aired on 1994-05-17.
Legends of the Hidden Temple
"The Apple Wood Amulet of Emiliano Zapata" (Season 2, Episode 4) aired on 1994-05-17.
Rescue 911
"Episode 525" (Season 5, Episode 25) aired on 1994-05-17.
NYPD Blue
"Rockin' Robin" (Season 1, Episode 22) aired on 1994-05-17.
"Jeff Goldblum, Sonic Youth, James Carville" (Season 1994, Episode 79) aired on 1994-05-17.
"Sinéad O'Connor, Van Morrison, The Chieftains" (Season 1995, Episode 84) aired on 1995-05-17.
"Helen Hunt, Dave Matthews Band" (Season 1996, Episode 81) aired on 1996-05-17.
"Surf Monkeys Must Dive!" (Season 1, Episode 23) aired on 1997-05-17.
"Moment of Truth (2)" (Season 5, Episode 26) aired on 1997-05-17.
"Jeff Goldblum / En Vogue" (Season 22, Episode 20) aired on 1997-05-17.
"Arabian Tales" (Season 1, Episode 23) aired on 1998-05-17.
"Miracle at Midnight" (Season 42, Episode 28) aired on 1998-05-17.
"The Spirit of Liberty Moon (1)" (Season 4, Episode 26) aired on 1998-05-17.
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 — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#4 on TRL — Backstreet Boys, "I Want It That Way"
#5 on TRL — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#6 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
#7 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#8 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#9 on TRL — Destiny's Child, "Bills, Bills, Bills"
#10 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
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 →