August 12 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleto…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 26 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined August 12 across the 1990s.
Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton found to date, is …
Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton found to date, is discovered by Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota.
Canada, Mexico and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the…
Canada, Mexico and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Gilbert Godfried, Mike Lupica, Vacant Lot · Julio Iglesias + 3 more
5 episodes aired on August 12, 1994: "Gilbert Godfried, Mike Lupica, Vacant Lot", "Julio Iglesias", "Hector Elizondo, Shari Belafonte", "Exhibition: Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers", and 1 more.
The Mask is Always Greener on the Other Side (1)
1 episode aired on August 12, 1995: "The Mask is Always Greener on the Other Side (1)".
August 12, 1996 · Bird's Eye View + 3 more
5 episodes aired on August 12, 1996: "August 12, 1996", "Bird's Eye View", "Dennis Miller", "Richard Simmons, Jerry O'Connell, Lionel Richie", and 1 more.
Michael J. Fox · Ep. #2607 + 6 more
8 episodes aired on August 12, 1997: "Michael J. Fox", "Ep. #2607", "Tuesday, August 12, 1997", "Counting Crows", and 4 more.
Brad Sherwood, Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles · Elizabeth: The Reluctant Monarch + 4 more
6 episodes aired on August 12, 1998: "Brad Sherwood, Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles", "Elizabeth: The Reluctant Monarch", "Marriage and Murder", "LL Cool J", and 2 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.
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.
Blink-182's "What's My Age Again?" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Santana's "Smooth" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Smash Mouth's "All Star" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Jennifer Lopez's "If You Had My Love" was one of the most-requested videos of the period, burning up the phone lines from fans all over the country.
Ricky Martin's "Livin' la Vida Loca" 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.
Savage Garden's "I Want You" 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.
Music
From chart-toppers to birthdays to passings — what the music world was up to on August 12 across the decade.
Ewa Farna, Czech singer-songwriter
Ewa Farna, Czech singer-songwriter
Jack Delano, American photographer and composer (born 1914)
Jack Delano, American photographer and composer (born 1914)
Jean Drapeau, Canadian lawyer and politician, 37th Mayor of Montreal (born 1916)…
Jean Drapeau, Canadian lawyer and politician, 37th Mayor of Montreal (born 1916)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from August 12 across the 1990s.
Mario Balotelli, Italian footballer
Mario Balotelli, Italian footballer · Marvin Zeegelaar, Dutch footballer · Martin Zurawsky, German footballer
Khris Middleton, American basketball player
Khris Middleton, American basketball player
Major League Baseball players go on strike, eventually forcing the cancellation …
Major League Baseball players go on strike, eventually forcing the cancellation of the 1994 World Series. · Ian Happ, American baseball player
Julio Urías, Mexican baseball player
Julio Urías, Mexican baseball player · Arthur Melo, Brazilian footballer · Samuel Moutoussamy, Congolese footballer
Matthijs de Ligt, Dutch footballer
Matthijs de Ligt, Dutch footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Sue (dinosaur)
Sue, the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton found to date, is discovered by Sue Hendrickson in South Dakota.
Dorothy Mackaill
Dorothy Mackaill, English-American actress (born 1903)
Jesinta Franklin
Jesinta Campbell, Australian model
LaKeith Stanfield
LaKeith Stanfield, American actor and musician
Canada, Mexico and the United States announce completion of negotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Victor Ambartsumian, Georgian-Armenian astrophysicist and academic (born 1908)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Ewa Farna
Ewa Farna, Czech singer-songwriter
Jack Delano
Jack Delano, American photographer and composer (born 1914)
Jean Drapeau
Jean Drapeau, Canadian lawyer and politician, 37th Mayor of Montreal (born 1916)
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli, Italian footballer
Marvin Zeegelaar
Marvin Zeegelaar, Dutch footballer
Khris Middleton
Khris Middleton, American basketball player
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball players go on strike, eventually forcing the cancellation of the 1994 World Series.
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
"Gilbert Godfried, Mike Lupica, Vacant Lot" (Season 1994, Episode 140) aired on 1994-08-12.
NFL on Fox
"Exhibition: Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers" (Season 1, Episode 1) aired on 1994-08-12.
The Late Show with David Letterman
"Andre Agassi, Charles Grodin" (Season 1994, Episode 131) aired on 1994-08-12.
The Mask
"The Mask is Always Greener on the Other Side (1)" (Season 1, Episode 1) aired on 1995-08-12.
"Hector Elizondo, Shari Belafonte" (Season 1994, Episode 89) aired on 1994-08-12.
"Dennis Miller" (Season 1996, Episode 13) aired on 1996-08-12.
"Richard Simmons, Jerry O'Connell, Lionel Richie" (Season 1996, Episode 127) aired on 1996-08-12.
"Lauren Lane" (Season 1997, Episode 104) aired on 1997-08-12.
"Brad Sherwood, Wayne Brady, Colin Mochrie, Ryan Stiles" (Season 1, Episode 2) aired on 1998-08-12.
"Elizabeth: The Reluctant Monarch" (Season 1998, Episode 17) aired on 1998-08-12.
"LL Cool J" (Season 1998, Episode 102) aired on 1998-08-12.
"Ray Liotta, Sela Ward, Liz Phair" (Season 1998, Episode 130) aired on 1998-08-12.
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 — Destiny's Child, "Bills, Bills, Bills"
#3 on TRL — Blink-182, "What's My Age Again?"
#4 on TRL — Santana, "Smooth"
#5 on TRL — Smash Mouth, "All Star"
#6 on TRL — Jennifer Lopez, "If You Had My Love"
#7 on TRL — Ricky Martin, "Livin' la Vida Loca"
#8 on TRL — Backstreet Boys, "I Want It That Way"
#9 on TRL — Savage Garden, "I Want You"
#10 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
By Year
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