August 20 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Dissolution of the Soviet Union, August Coup: More than 100,…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 24 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined August 20 across the 1990s.
Dissolution of the Soviet Union, August Coup: More than 100,000 people rally out…
Dissolution of the Soviet Union, August Coup: More than 100,000 people rally outside the Soviet Union's parliament building protesting the coup aiming to depose President Mikhail Gorbachev.
In India, Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) was included i…
In India, Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) was included in the scheduled languages' list and made one of the official languages of the Indian Government.
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that Quebec cannot legally secede from Canada …
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that Quebec cannot legally secede from Canada without the federal government's approval.
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Tevin Campbell (host), Salt-n-Pepa, Robin S, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin · Gail O'Grady, Ruben Blades, Blightobody + 2 more
4 episodes aired on August 20, 1994: "Tevin Campbell (host), Salt-n-Pepa, Robin S, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin", "Gail O'Grady, Ruben Blades, Blightobody", "Los Angeles, CA #17", "Waylon Jennings, Donna Hanover, Giuliani, Patty Loveless, Toby Keith, Aaron Tippin, Rodney Foster, Mark Luna".
The Inca: Secrets of the Ancestors · Space Shuttle
2 episodes aired on August 20, 1995: "The Inca: Secrets of the Ancestors", "Space Shuttle".
John Hulme & Michael Wexler · Dennis Rodman, Susan Molinari, Neville Brothers + 2 more
4 episodes aired on August 20, 1996: "John Hulme & Michael Wexler", "Dennis Rodman, Susan Molinari, Neville Brothers", "Episode 52", "Episode 713".
August 20, 1997 · Ep. #2613 + 6 more
8 episodes aired on August 20, 1997: "August 20, 1997", "Ep. #2613", "Wednesday, August 20, 1997", "Weight Gain 4000", and 4 more.
Helen Thomas First Lady of the Press · Sheryl Crow + 3 more
5 episodes aired on August 20, 1998: "Helen Thomas First Lady of the Press", "Sheryl Crow", "Cheating Death", "Sela Ward", and 1 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brandy & Monica's "The Boy Is Mine" 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.
Music
From chart-toppers to birthdays to passings — what the music world was up to on August 20 across the decade.
Culoe De Song, South African music producer and DJ
Culoe De Song, South African music producer and DJ
Demi Lovato, American singer-songwriter and actress
Demi Lovato, American singer-songwriter and actress
Rio Reiser, German singer-songwriter (born 1950)
Rio Reiser, German singer-songwriter (born 1950)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from August 20 across the 1990s.
Macauley Chrisantus, Nigerian footballer
Macauley Chrisantus, Nigerian footballer · Leigh Griffiths, Scottish footballer
Cory Joseph, Canadian basketball player
Cory Joseph, Canadian basketball player
Deniss Rakels, Latvian footballer
Deniss Rakels, Latvian footballer
Mitchell Trubisky, American football player
Mitchell Trubisky, American football player
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Bradley Klahn
Bradley Klahn, American tennis player
Ranomi Kromowidjojo
Ranomi Kromowidjojo, Dutch swimmer
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union, August Coup: More than 100,000 people rally outside the Soviet Union's parliament building protesting the coup aiming to depose President Mikhail Gorbachev.
Estonia
Estonia, occupied by and incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1940, issues a decision on the re-establishment of independence on the basis of legal continuity of its pre-occupation statehood.
In India, Meitei language (officially known as Manipuri language) was included in the scheduled languages' list and made one of the official languages of the Indian Government.
The Supreme Court of Canada rules that Quebec cannot legally secede from Canada without the federal government's approval.
U.S. embassy bombings: The United States launches cruise missile attacks against alleged al-Qaeda camps in Afghanistan and a suspected chemical weapons plant in Sudan in retaliation for the August 7 bombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato, American singer-songwriter and actress
Rio Reiser
Rio Reiser, German singer-songwriter (born 1950)
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Macauley Chrisantus
Macauley Chrisantus, Nigerian footballer
Leigh Griffiths
Leigh Griffiths, Scottish footballer
Cory Joseph
Cory Joseph, Canadian basketball player
Deniss Rakels
Deniss Rakels, Latvian footballer
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
"Gail O'Grady, Ruben Blades, Blightobody" (Season 1994, Episode 146) aired on 1994-08-20.
Cops
"Los Angeles, CA #17" (Season 7, Episode 6) aired on 1994-08-20.
Time Life's Lost Civilizations
"The Inca: Secrets of the Ancestors" (Season 1, Episode 9) aired on 1995-08-20.
Modern Marvels
"Space Shuttle" (Season 3, Episode 1) aired on 1995-08-20.
"Tevin Campbell (host), Salt-n-Pepa, Robin S, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin" (Season 1994, Episode 31) aired on 1994-08-20.
"Waylon Jennings, Donna Hanover, Giuliani, Patty Loveless, Toby Keith, Aaron Tippin, Rodney Foster, Mark Luna" (Season 1, Episode 11) aired on 1994-08-20.
"John Hulme & Michael Wexler" (Season 1996, Episode 18) aired on 1996-08-20.
"Dennis Rodman, Susan Molinari, Neville Brothers" (Season 1996, Episode 133) aired on 1996-08-20.
"Loretta Lynn" (Season 1997, Episode 109) aired on 1997-08-20.
"Mira Sorvino, Jeff Altman, Coolio" (Season 1997, Episode 132) aired on 1997-08-20.
"Helen Thomas First Lady of the Press" (Season 1998, Episode 46) aired on 1998-08-20.
"Sela Ward" (Season 1998, Episode 107) aired on 1998-08-20.
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 — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#4 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#5 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#6 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#7 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#8 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#9 on TRL — Brandy & Monica, "The Boy Is Mine"
#10 on TRL — Limp Bizkit, "Nookie"
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 →