December 24 across the 1990s: the news was dominated by Air France Flight 8969 is hijacked on the ground at Houari B…, TRL was counting down the most-requested videos on MTV, and 21 episodes were airing across the dial. Here's the full picture, year by year.
In the News
The headlines that defined December 24 across the 1990s.
Air France Flight 8969 is hijacked on the ground at Houari Boumediene Airport, A…
Air France Flight 8969 is hijacked on the ground at Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers, Algeria. Over the course of three days three passengers are killed, as are all four terrorists.
A Learjet 35 crashes into Smarts Mountain near Dorchester, New Hampshire, killin…
A Learjet 35 crashes into Smarts Mountain near Dorchester, New Hampshire, killing both pilots on board.
Indian Airlines Flight 814 is hijacked in Indian airspace between Kathmandu, Nep…
Indian Airlines Flight 814 is hijacked in Indian airspace between Kathmandu, Nepal, and Delhi, India. The aircraft landed at Kandahar in Afghanistan. The incident ended on December 31 with the release of 190 survivors (one passenger is killed).
What Was On TV
Before DVR, before streaming — if you missed it, you missed it. Here's what had everyone talking the next morning.
Vanessa Marcil (host), Natalie Cole, Tony Benett, Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny G. · A Christmas Surprise for Mrs. Stillman + 4 more
6 episodes aired on December 24, 1994: "Vanessa Marcil (host), Natalie Cole, Tony Benett, Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny G.", "A Christmas Surprise for Mrs. Stillman", "Dolci per Estate – Summer Desserts", "1994 Week 17", and 2 more.
1995 Week 17 · Everything That Rises Must Converge
2 episodes aired on December 24, 1995: "1995 Week 17", "Everything That Rises Must Converge".
Ep. #7939 · Tuesday, December 24, 1996 + 2 more
4 episodes aired on December 24, 1996: "Ep. #7939", "Tuesday, December 24, 1996", "Mary of Nazareth: A Mother's Life", "Episode 142".
A Life in the Day · K.I.S.S. + 2 more
4 episodes aired on December 24, 1997: "A Life in the Day", "K.I.S.S.", "Episode 241", "Episode 148".
Noir · Episode 495
2 episodes aired on December 24, 1998: "Noir", "Episode 495".
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 December 24 across the decade.
Thorbjørn Egner, Norwegian playwright and songwriter (born 1922)…
Thorbjørn Egner, Norwegian playwright and songwriter (born 1922)
Bobby LaKind, American singer-songwriter and conga player (born 1945)…
Bobby LaKind, American singer-songwriter and conga player (born 1945)
Sports
Athletes, events, and moments from December 24 across the 1990s.
Eric Moreland, American basketball player
Eric Moreland, American basketball player
Davante Adams, American football player
Davante Adams, American football player · Serge Aurier, Ivorian footballer · P. J. Hairston, American basketball player
Miguel Castro, Dominican baseball player
Miguel Castro, Dominican baseball player
William Contreras, Venezuelan baseball player
William Contreras, Venezuelan baseball player
Alexis Mac Allister, Argentine footballer
Alexis Mac Allister, Argentine footballer
Full Events Archive
Highlights
The world was watching. Here's what dominated the headlines:
Beloved Promise
Brigetta Barrett, American high jumper
Ryo Miyake
Ryo Miyake, Japanese fencer
Lara Michel
Lara Michel, Swiss tennis player
Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson, English singer
Air France Flight 8969 is hijacked on the ground at Houari Boumediene Airport, Algiers, Algeria. Over the course of three days three passengers are killed, as are all four terrorists.
A Learjet 35 crashes into Smarts Mountain near Dorchester, New Hampshire, killing both pilots on board.
Indian Airlines Flight 814 is hijacked in Indian airspace between Kathmandu, Nepal, and Delhi, India. The aircraft landed at Kandahar in Afghanistan. The incident ended on December 31 with the release of 190 survivors (one passenger is killed).
Bill Bowerman, American runner, coach, and businessman, co-founded Nike, Inc. (born 1911)
Maurice Couve de Murville, French soldier and politician, 152nd Prime Minister of France (born 1907)
João Figueiredo, Brazilian general and politician, 30th President of Brazil (born 1918)
The decade's soundtrack was electric. These artists were making waves:
On the field and off it, athletes were making history:
Eric Moreland
Eric Moreland, American basketball player
Davante Adams
Davante Adams, American football player
Serge Aurier
Serge Aurier, Ivorian footballer
Miguel Castro
Miguel Castro, Dominican baseball player
Must-see TV was a real thing — and this is what filled the airwaves:
Life with Louie
"A Christmas Surprise for Mrs. Stillman" (Season 1, Episode 1) aired on 1994-12-24.
Ciao Italia
"Dolci per Estate – Summer Desserts" (Season 6, Episode 7) aired on 1994-12-24.
NFL Primetime
"1994 Week 17" (Season 1994, Episode 17) aired on 1994-12-24.
The Woodwright's Shop
"Blacksmiths Forge Ahead!" (Season 14, Episode 13) aired on 1994-12-24.
"Vanessa Marcil (host), Natalie Cole, Tony Benett, Harry Connick Jr., Mariah Carey, Wynton Marsalis, Kenny G." (Season 1994, Episode 49) aired on 1994-12-24.
"Everything That Rises Must Converge" (Season 1, Episode 12) aired on 1995-12-24.
"Mary of Nazareth: A Mother's Life" (Season 1996, Episode 15) aired on 1996-12-24.
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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