May 19 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Có…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 56 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined May 19 across the 1990s.
SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International …
SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, killing 132.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, American journalist, 37th First Lady of the United S…
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, American journalist, 37th First Lady of the United States (born 1929)
The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is e…
The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts.

Sōsuke Uno, Japanese soldier and politician, 75th Prime Minister of Japan (born …
Sōsuke Uno, Japanese soldier and politician, 75th Prime Minister of Japan (born 1922)
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.

Jay Leno, Zelda Harris, Caleb Carr · Dave Thomas + 8 more
10 episodes aired on May 19, 1994: "Jay Leno, Zelda Harris, Caleb Carr", "Dave Thomas", "David Faustino", "Secrets of a Successful Marriage", and 6 more.

Little Richard · from Los Angeles + 5 more
7 episodes aired on May 19, 1995: "Little Richard", "from Los Angeles", "22nd Daytime Emmy Awards", "Home", and 3 more.

Five finalists compete for $100,000 · Homerpalooza + 3 more
5 episodes aired on May 19, 1996: "Five finalists compete for $100,000", "Homerpalooza", "The Finale (2)", "Death by Demographics", and 1 more.

Let's Stalk · Ep. #2546 + 15 more
17 episodes aired on May 19, 1997: "Let's Stalk", "Ep. #2546", "Monday, May 19, 1997", "I'm a Poet", and 13 more.

Becoming: Part II · From Top To Bottom + 12 more
14 episodes aired on May 19, 1998: "Becoming: Part II", "From Top To Bottom", "To Russia with Love (1)", "Decisions", and 10 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 19 across the decade.
Jordan Pruitt, American singer-songwriter
Jordan Pruitt, American singer-songwriter
Sam Smith, English singer-songwriter
Sam Smith, English singer-songwriter · Lainey Wilson, American singer-songwriter
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from May 19 across the 1990s.

Michele Camporese, Italian footballer
Michele Camporese, Italian footballer · Ola John, Dutch footballer
Carlos Guzmán, Mexican footballer
Carlos Guzmán, Mexican footballer

John Beradino, American baseball player and actor (born 1917)
John Beradino, American baseball player and actor (born 1917)
Full Events Archive
Highlights

The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Croatia
Croatians vote for independence in a referendum.
Felise Kaufusi
Felise Kaufusi, New Zealand-Tongan rugby league player
Evgeny Kuznetsov
Evgeny Kuznetsov, Russian ice hockey player
Marshmello
Marshmello, American electronic music producer and DJ
SAM Colombia Flight 501 crashes on approach to José María Córdova International Airport in Medellín, Colombia, killing 132.
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, American journalist, 37th First Lady of the United States (born 1929)
Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched on mission STS-77.
The Sierra Gorda biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts.
Sōsuke Uno, Japanese soldier and politician, 75th Prime Minister of Japan (born 1922)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Jordan Pruitt
Jordan Pruitt, American singer-songwriter
Sam Smith
Sam Smith, English singer-songwriter
Lainey Wilson
Lainey Wilson, American singer-songwriter
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:

Michele Camporese
Michele Camporese, Italian footballer
Ola John
Ola John, Dutch footballer
Carlos Guzmán
Carlos Guzmán, Mexican footballer

John Beradino
John Beradino, American baseball player and actor (born 1917)
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:

Late Night with Conan O'Brien
"Jay Leno, Zelda Harris, Caleb Carr" (Season 1994, Episode 92) aired on 1994-05-19.

The Simpsons
"Secrets of a Successful Marriage" (Season 5, Episode 22) aired on 1994-05-19.

Mad About You
"With This Ring... (1)" (Season 2, Episode 24) aired on 1994-05-19.

Matlock
"The Idol" (Season 8, Episode 20) aired on 1994-05-19.
"Barbara Walters, Mariah Carey" (Season 1994, Episode 81) aired on 1994-05-19.
"Episode dated 19 May 1994" (Season 1994, Episode 1) aired on 1994-05-19.
"22nd Daytime Emmy Awards" (Season 1995, Episode 1) aired on 1995-05-19.
"Meg Ryan, Annie Lennox" (Season 1995, Episode 86) aired on 1995-05-19.
"Five finalists compete for $100,000" (Season 7, Episode 22) aired on 1996-05-19.
"Out of Mind, Out of Sight" (Season 1, Episode 11) aired on 1997-05-19.
"An Angel by Any Other Name" (Season 3, Episode 26) aired on 1997-05-19.
"Rita Rudner" (Season 1997, Episode 68) aired on 1997-05-19.
"Meg Ryan, Lance Henriksen, Mary Chapin-Carpenter" (Season 1997, Episode 80) aired on 1997-05-19.
"Secrets of an Independent Counsel" (Season 1998, Episode 8) aired on 1998-05-19.
"Jack Lalanne; Sports Radio" (Season 4, Episode 3) aired on 1998-05-19.
"Jack Wagner" (Season 1998, Episode 64) aired on 1998-05-19.
"Sandra Bullock, Jeff Foxworthy, Cast of One Small Step" (Season 1998, Episode 79) aired on 1998-05-19.
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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