Featured moment
Pokémon Red and Green Launch in Japan
Game Freak's monster-catching RPG launched on the Game Boy, spawning the highest-grossing media franchise in history.
Gotta catch 'em all.
Pokémon launched a global obsession, Nintendo 64 pushed into 3D, and Dolly the sheep was cloned.
The Cost of Living in 1996
Gallon of Gas
$1.22
Loaf of Bread
$0.88
Gallon of Milk
$2.54
World Population
5.81 billion
Featured moment
Nintendo 64 and Super Mario 64
The N64 launched with Mario 64, which established the blueprint for 3D camera controls and movement.
Featured moment
Dolly the Sheep Cloned
Scientists in Scotland successfully cloned a mammal from an adult somatic cell for the first time.
The wider picture
More from 1996
A few more things worth remembering.
World Events
Atlanta Olympics Bombing
A pipe bomb exploded in Centennial Olympic Park during the Summer Games, killing 1 and injuring over 100.
Music
Tupac Shakur Murdered
The legendary rapper was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas at age 25.
Cinema & TV
Independence Day Released
The alien invasion blockbuster set the standard for modern disaster movies with its explosive special effects.
Gaming
Resident Evil Released
Capcom's survival horror game popularized the genre and spawned a massive franchise of games and films.
Internet
Hotmail Launches
One of the first public webmail services launched, later acquired by Microsoft.
Pop Culture
Tickle Me Elmo Craze
The Sesame Street toy caused violent stampedes in stores during the holiday shopping season.
You arrivedin 1996.
The longer view
This was only the opening scene.
Follow the world as it changed around you, from 1996 to today.