The 1990s were a transformative decade. The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ending the Cold War. The internet became mainstream, with browsers like Netscape and Google emerging. The Gulf War in 1990-91 marked U.S. military intervention in the Middle East. The Rwandan Genocide in 1994 shocked the world, while the Balkan Wars ravaged Yugoslavia. Bill Clinton's presidency brought economic growth and international peace efforts.

Pop culture boomed with shows like Friends and music from Nirvana and the Spice Girls. The dot-com bubble led to a tech explosion, followed by a crash. Globalization grew, with multinational corporations expanding worldwide. The 90s were a period of significant political, cultural, and technological change.