May 18 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world sp…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 47 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined May 18 across the 1990s.
In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515.3 …
In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph).
Northern Somalia declares independence from the rest of Somalia as the Republic …
Northern Somalia declares independence from the rest of Somalia as the Republic of Somaliland.
Riots in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, caused by the approval of the four Danish excepti…
Riots in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, caused by the approval of the four Danish exceptions in the Maastricht Treaty referendum. Police open fire against civilians for the first time since World War II and injure 11 demonstrators.
Israeli troops finish withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, ceding the area to the Pa…
Israeli troops finish withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, ceding the area to the Palestinian National Authority to govern.
Brinsley Trench, 8th Earl of Clancarty, Irish ufologist and historian (born 1911…
Brinsley Trench, 8th Earl of Clancarty, Irish ufologist and historian (born 1911)
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Timothy Leary · Jackie Collins, Nell Carter + 6 more
8 episodes aired on May 18, 1994: "Timothy Leary", "Jackie Collins, Nell Carter", "Ep. #7288", "Signs and Portents", and 4 more.
Julianna Margulies · from Dallas + 4 more
6 episodes aired on May 18, 1995: "Julianna Margulies", "from Dallas", "The One Where Rachel Finds Out", "Up in Smoke (1)", and 2 more.
Michael Boldon, The Cranberries, Simon LeBon, Luciano Pavarotti · Information Services on The Sonics + 8 more
10 episodes aired on May 18, 1996: "Michael Boldon, The Cranberries, Simon LeBon, Luciano Pavarotti", "Information Services on The Sonics", "Men of Vizion/ Monifah featuring AZ/ Mr. X", "Albuquerque, New Mexico 6", and 6 more.
Royal Bag · Isle of Bliss + 7 more
9 episodes aired on May 18, 1997: "Royal Bag", "Isle of Bliss", "Finalists vie for $100,000", "Girl Crazy", and 5 more.
D.W.'s Name Game · The First Gentleman + 9 more
11 episodes aired on May 18, 1998: "D.W.'s Name Game", "The First Gentleman", "May 18, 1998", "The Designer", and 7 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 18 across the decade.
Laura Omloop, Belgian singer-songwriter
Laura Omloop, Belgian singer-songwriter
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from May 18 across the 1990s.
Dimitri Daeseleire, Belgian footballer
Dimitri Daeseleire, Belgian footballer · Yuya Osako, Japanese footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
Days of Our Lives
"Ep. #7288" (Season 1994, Episode 55) aired on 1994-05-18.
Read more →The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
TGV
In France, a modified TGV train achieves a new rail world speed record of 515.3 km/h (320.2 mph).
Josh Starling
Josh Starling, Australian rugby league player
Jill Ireland
Jill Ireland, English actress (born 1936)
Somalia
Northern Somalia declares independence from the rest of Somalia as the Republic of Somaliland.
Riots in Nørrebro, Copenhagen, caused by the approval of the four Danish exceptions in the Maastricht Treaty referendum. Police open fire against civilians for the first time since World War II and injure 11 demonstrators.
Israeli troops finish withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, ceding the area to the Palestinian National Authority to govern.
Brinsley Trench, 8th Earl of Clancarty, Irish ufologist and historian (born 1911)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Days of Our Lives
"Ep. #7288" (Season 1994, Episode 55) aired on 1994-05-18.
Babylon 5
"Signs and Portents" (Season 1, Episode 13) aired on 1994-05-18.
Home Improvement
"Reality Bytes" (Season 3, Episode 24) aired on 1994-05-18.
Great Performances
"Carnegie Hall Salutes the Jazz Masters: Verve Records at 50" (Season 22, Episode 14) aired on 1994-05-18.
"Stupid Pet Tricks, Carol Burnett, Emmylou Harris" (Season 1994, Episode 80) aired on 1994-05-18.
"Julianna Margulies" (Season 1995, Episode 58) aired on 1995-05-18.
"David Duchovny, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mary Chapin Carpenter" (Season 1995, Episode 85) aired on 1995-05-18.
"Michael Boldon, The Cranberries, Simon LeBon, Luciano Pavarotti" (Season 1996, Episode 20) aired on 1996-05-18.
"Information Services on The Sonics" (Season 12, Episode 26) aired on 1996-05-18.
"Men of Vizion/ Monifah featuring AZ/ Mr. X" (Season 25, Episode 27) aired on 1996-05-18.
"When a Child is Born (2)" (Season 4, Episode 28) aired on 1996-05-18.
"Crocodile Lady" (Season 3, Episode 28) aired on 1996-05-18.
"Jim Carrey / Soundgarden" (Season 21, Episode 20) aired on 1996-05-18.
"Finalists vie for $100,000" (Season 8, Episode 30) aired on 1997-05-18.
"A Nightmare on Dick Street (1)" (Season 2, Episode 25) aired on 1997-05-18.
"Rob Estes" (Season 1998, Episode 63) aired on 1998-05-18.
"Matthew Broderick, David Wells, Natalie Merchant" (Season 1998, Episode 78) aired on 1998-05-18.
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
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