Simple math reminds us that 1999 was only two decades ago. But, if we’re honest, it simultaneously seems so much closer and so much farther away than that. On the one hand, the advent of technology, makes ‘99 feel light-years away (remember, in 1999 the internet was just truly beginning, while today most of us carry it around in our pockets).
There is a lot of nostalgia for 1999, especially among millennia’s, for whom it marks the end of the “good old days.” There’s also no denying that much of what came out of the ‘90s had a major effect on pop culture and society as a whole. The music, style, and breaking news of that decade continue to inform and inspire.
To see just how well you remember the last year of the 20th century, Stacker rounded up some of the biggest events of 1999, from the Y2K scare and President Bill Clinton’s acquittal on two articles of impeachment to the premiere of "SpongeBob Square Pants" and Pokémon fever. Using data from various sources I’ve created a unique list of political, cultural, and technological occurrences and achievements as well as year-defining statistics and memorable incidents
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Read on to test your knowledge and find out how well you truly remember 1999.
Yield 8 pancakes
Time 30 minutes
Japanese soufflé pancakes start with the same ingredients as American varieties namely, eggs, flour and milk but they tower above traditional diner versions thanks to the addition of extra egg whites. A meringue mixture is beaten to stiff peaks, then folded into the batter, which cooks directly in metal pastry rings to help the pancakes attain their distinctive height. The key is to cook the batter at a very low temperature. If your stove has a small burner, or an especially low heat setting, use it here to create these custardy pancakes, worthy of breakfast, an afternoon snack or even dessert.
Where did the name Wednesday come from?
Surprise, surprise … Wednesday Addams wasn’t the originator of the name. In fact, the name Wednesday actually derives from two mighty but distinct gods. The Old English word for Wednesdayindicates that the day was named for the Germanic god Woden. In Romance languages, the name is derived from the Roman god Mercury. (For example, Wednesday is mercredi in French and miercuri in Romanian.)
Woden (also known as Odin) and Mercury have been associated since Scandinavian and Roman cultures crossed paths. Under Woden’s supervision, the earth and sky were created from the dead body of a giant named Ymir. Woden also created the first man and woman from an ash tree and an alder. As if fashioning the human race wasn’t enough, Woden also established the laws of the universe.
Fight or flight are cited as the two most common responses animals have to immediate threats. But there’s a third reaction that will seem familiar to anyone who’s seen a "dead" possum spring to life: In the face of danger, some animals will enter a tonic state as a last-ditch shot at survival. Assuming a vulnerable, motionless position may seem like the worst way to get out of an emergency situation intact, but "playing dead" can be a life-saving behavior.
1. It’s hard to remember a time before ATMs — a time when you actually had to go into a bank, fill out a withdrawal or deposit slip and wait in a line (gasp!) in order to get cash or deposit money. But considering how often we use ATMs, it’s surprising how little people actually know about them — starting with what those letters actually stand for.
Every Fourth of July, sparkly fireworks illuminate the sky. But, haven’t you always wondered why it’s a tradition to set off explosions of light in the sky on Independence Day? It’s certainly a day for celebration, but why fireworks? Why not just stick to barbeques and all things red, white, and blue? Well, you can thank famous historian John Adams for it.
