World Events in 1995
Oklahoma City Bombing
On 19 April, Timothy McVeigh detonated a truck bomb outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, killing 168 people. It was the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in US history at the time.
Srebrenica Massacre
In July, Bosnian Serb forces under Ratko Mladic systematically murdered over 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica. It was the worst massacre in Europe since World War II.
Barings Bank Collapse
Britain's oldest merchant bank collapsed in February after trader Nick Leeson lost £827 million through unauthorised speculative trades. Leeson fled but was captured and imprisoned.
Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin
Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was shot dead by a right-wing Israeli extremist on 4 November at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. His death dealt a severe blow to the Middle East peace process.
O.J. Simpson Found Not Guilty
On 3 October, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of murder after a trial that had gripped America for months. An estimated 150 million people watched the verdict on television.
Music in 1995
"Unchained Melody / White Cliffs of Dover"
Robson & Jerome
The Soldier Soldier actors' debut single became the best-selling single of 1995 in the UK, much to the annoyance of Britpop fans who had expected Oasis or Blur to dominate.
"Gangsta's Paradise"
Coolio featuring L.V.
Featured on the Dangerous Minds soundtrack, the Grammy-winning hip-hop track was the best-selling single of 1995 in the US and became one of the defining songs of the decade.
#1 Film of 1995
Toy Story
Box Office: $373 million worldwide
Pixar's Toy Story was the first fully computer-animated feature film and changed the animation industry forever. Die Hard with a Vengeance and Batman Forever also performed strongly, but Toy Story's cultural impact was enormous.
Born in 1995
Dua Lipa
British-Albanian pop star known for New Rules, Levitating, and disco-pop revival
Giannis Antetokounmpo
NBA superstar and Milwaukee Bucks champion, known as the Greek Freak
Kendall Jenner
Model and reality TV personality from Keeping Up with the Kardashians
Post Malone
Rapper and singer known for genre-blending hits like Rockstar and Circles
Lost in 1995
Peter Cook
British satirist and comedian, one half of the legendary Pete and Dud duo
Age 57
Fred Perry
Last British man to win Wimbledon before Andy Murray, namesake of the fashion brand
Age 85
Ginger Rogers
Hollywood actress and dancer who famously partnered Fred Astaire
Age 83
Jerry Garcia
Lead guitarist and vocalist of the Grateful Dead
Age 53
Technology in 1995
Windows 95 launched with enormous fanfare, featuring the Start button and Internet Explorer. eBay and Craigslist were founded. The internet was growing rapidly, with dial-up modems screeching in homes across the Western world. DVDs began development.
- ● Windows 95 launched with massive marketing campaign using Rolling Stones' Start Me Up
- ● eBay founded by Pierre Omidyar
- ● Java programming language released by Sun Microsystems
- ● Sony PlayStation launched in Europe and North America
Cost of Living in 1995
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £61,800 | $113,000 |
| Average salary | £16,400 | $34,000 |
| Pint of milk | 30p | $0.60 |
| Loaf of bread | 58p | $0.77 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.12 | $1.05 |
| Pint of beer | £1.42 | $2.50 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £2.25 | $1.15 |
| Cinema ticket | £3.30 | $4.35 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1995
The Oasis vs Blur chart battle in August became a national event, symbolising a north-south cultural divide. Lad culture and loaded magazines were everywhere. Baywatch was the most watched TV show in the world. Rugby union went professional after New Zealand hosted a triumphant World Cup.
In the News in 1995
Barings Bank collapsed after rogue trader Nick Leeson lost £827 million. The Dayton Agreement brought an end to the Bosnian War. Israeli PM Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by a right-wing extremist.