December 3 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by The Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea, carrying 80,000 tonnes of c…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 63 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined December 3 across the 1990s.
The Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea, carrying 80,000 tonnes of crude oil, runs agrou…
The Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea, carrying 80,000 tonnes of crude oil, runs aground in a storm while approaching A Coruña, Spain, and spills much of its cargo.
Taiwan holds its first full local elections; James Soong elected as the first an…
Taiwan holds its first full local elections; James Soong elected as the first and only directly elected Governor of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian became the first directly elected Mayor of Taipei, Wu Den-yih became the first directly elected Mayor of Kaohsiung.
Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 crashes on approach to Douala International Airpor…
Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 crashes on approach to Douala International Airport in Douala, Cameroon, killing 71 of the 76 people on board.
In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, representatives from 121 countries sign the Ottawa T…
In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, representatives from 121 countries sign the Ottawa Treaty prohibiting manufacture and deployment of anti-personnel landmines. The United States, People's Republic of China, and Russia do not sign the treaty, however.
NASA loses radio contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before the spacecraf…
NASA loses radio contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before the spacecraft enters the Martian atmosphere.
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Shaun Colvin (host), Barbra Streisand, Anita Baker · Trash Island + 18 more
20 episodes aired on December 3, 1994: "Shaun Colvin (host), Barbra Streisand, Anita Baker", "Trash Island", "Chuck (and Melvin) and the Beanstalker", "Betrayed", and 16 more.
The Odd Couples · 1995 Week 14 + 8 more
10 episodes aired on December 3, 1995: "The Odd Couples", "1995 Week 14", "Stay with the Dead", "Feisty fish; patty-cake cats", and 6 more.
Mothers and Other Strangers · Auntie Hen + 10 more
12 episodes aired on December 3, 1996: "Mothers and Other Strangers", "Auntie Hen", "Ep. #7924", "Tuesday, December 3, 1996", and 8 more.
Let's Eat! · Seven Deadly Clips + 8 more
10 episodes aired on December 3, 1997: "Let's Eat!", "Seven Deadly Clips", "The Empire Strikes Brak", "Adjustments", and 6 more.
The GOP and the Hispanic Vote · Out of Bounds + 5 more
7 episodes aired on December 3, 1998: "The GOP and the Hispanic Vote", "Out of Bounds", "Beaten by a Hair", "Surviving Divorce", and 3 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.
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.
TLC's "No Scrubs" 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.
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.
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.
Kid Rock's "Bawitdaba" 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 December 3 across the decade.
![Joseph McManners, English singer-songwriter, musician and actor[citation needed]…](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Joe_McManners_on_DofE.jpg/330px-Joe_McManners_on_DofE.jpg)
Joseph McManners, English singer-songwriter, musician and actor[citation needed]…
Joseph McManners, English singer-songwriter, musician and actor[citation needed]
Lil Baby, American rapper
Lil Baby, American rapper
Scatman John, American singer-songwriter and pianist (born 1942)…
Scatman John, American singer-songwriter and pianist (born 1942)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from December 3 across the 1990s.
Christian Benteke, Belgian footballer
Christian Benteke, Belgian footballer · Matt Reynolds, American baseball player
Cristian Ceballos, Spanish footballer
Cristian Ceballos, Spanish footballer
Horst Mahseli, Polish footballer (born 1934)
Horst Mahseli, Polish footballer (born 1934)
Full Events Archive
Highlights
Joseph McManners
Joseph McManners, English singer-songwriter, musician and actor[citation needed]
Read more →The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Sharon Fichman
Sharon Fichman, Canadian-Israeli tennis player
Ekaterine Gorgodze
Ekaterine Gorgodze, Georgian tennis player
Oil tanker
The Greek oil tanker Aegean Sea, carrying 80,000 tonnes of crude oil, runs aground in a storm while approaching A Coruña, Spain, and spills much of its cargo.
Lewis Thomas
Lewis Thomas, American physician, etymologist, and academic (born 1913)
Taiwan holds its first full local elections; James Soong elected as the first and only directly elected Governor of Taiwan, Chen Shui-bian became the first directly elected Mayor of Taipei, Wu Den-yih became the first directly elected Mayor of Kaohsiung.
Cameroon Airlines Flight 3701 crashes on approach to Douala International Airport in Douala, Cameroon, killing 71 of the 76 people on board.
In Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, representatives from 121 countries sign the Ottawa Treaty prohibiting manufacture and deployment of anti-personnel landmines. The United States, People's Republic of China, and Russia do not sign the treaty, however.
NASA loses radio contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before the spacecraft enters the Martian atmosphere.
In Worcester, Massachusetts, firefighters responded to a fire at the Worcester Cold Storage and Warehouse Co. facility, which takes the lives of 6 firefighters.
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
Joseph McManners
Joseph McManners, English singer-songwriter, musician and actor[citation needed]
Lil Baby
Lil Baby, American rapper
Scatman John
Scatman John, American singer-songwriter and pianist (born 1942)
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke, Belgian footballer
Matt Reynolds (infielder)
Matt Reynolds, American baseball player
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Beethoven
"Trash Island" (Season 1, Episode 25) aired on 1994-12-03.
Tales from the Cryptkeeper
"Chuck (and Melvin) and the Beanstalker" (Season 2, Episode 12) aired on 1994-12-03.
Jim Lee's Wild C.A.T.S: Covert Action Teams
"Betrayed" (Season 1, Episode 8) aired on 1994-12-03.
Ciao Italia
"Una Visita alla Pescheria – A Visit to the Fish Market" (Season 6, Episode 4) aired on 1994-12-03.
"Shaun Colvin (host), Barbra Streisand, Anita Baker" (Season 1994, Episode 46) aired on 1994-12-03.
"Tony Terry / Blackgirl / Craig Mack" (Season 24, Episode 11) aired on 1994-12-03.
"Managing Home Construction: Interior & Exterior Finishes" (Season 8, Episode 7) aired on 1994-12-03.
"Panel-Frame Construction" (Season 14, Episode 10) aired on 1994-12-03.
"The Tale of the Ghastly Grinner" (Season 4, Episode 9) aired on 1994-12-03.
"Feisty fish; patty-cake cats" (Season 7, Episode 10) aired on 1995-12-03.
"The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular" (Season 7, Episode 10) aired on 1995-12-03.
"Caroline and the Therapist" (Season 2, Episode 9) aired on 1996-12-03.
"Bobcat Goldthwait" (Season 1996, Episode 55) aired on 1996-12-03.
"The Music of Kander and Ebb: Razzle Dazzle" (Season 26, Episode 3) aired on 1997-12-03.
"Richard Belzer" (Season 1997, Episode 155) aired on 1997-12-03.
"Bill Maher" (Season 1998, Episode 153) aired on 1998-12-03.
The digital revolution was just getting started:
Sema Group
A test engineer for Sema Group uses a personal computer to send the world's first text message via the Vodafone network to the phone of a colleague.
Sony
Sony releases the PlayStation game console in Japan.
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 — Britney Spears, "...Baby One More Time"
#3 on TRL — TLC, "No Scrubs"
#4 on TRL — *NSYNC, "I Drive Myself Crazy"
#5 on TRL — Eminem, "My Name Is"
#6 on TRL — 98 Degrees, "The Hardest Thing"
#7 on TRL — Lauryn Hill, "Ex-Factor"
#8 on TRL — Brandy & Monica, "The Boy Is Mine"
#9 on TRL — Sugar Ray, "Every Morning"
#10 on TRL — Kid Rock, "Bawitdaba"
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 →