Here are all the trends and events that appear in Nostalgia Diary, year by year — what was big in the United States. Each year is the calendar year (January–December) when it happened. In the game, it shows up in the grade that starts in the fall of that year.
For each year, we picked items from four categories: "Toys, Games & Cartoons," "Music, TV & Movies," "Fashion & Fads," and "Events." We chose things that people talked about that year, based on US release dates, premiere dates, and other records — but what felt big depends on where you grew up and how old you were. If you spot a mistake, please let us know through the contact form.
Product names, titles, and organization names are trademarks or works of their respective owners. This site mentions them only to describe what was popular each year and is not affiliated with any of them.
1970s
1970
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe cartoon Josie and the Pussycats premiered on Saturday mornings
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Partridge Family premiered and its songs hit the radio
- Fashion & FadsBell-bottoms and tie-dye shirts were everywhere
- EventsThe first Earth Day was held across the country
1971
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWeebles came out — they wobble but they don't fall down
- Music, TV & MoviesAll in the Family premiered on CBS
- Fashion & FadsHot pants became the hottest fashion of the year
- EventsWalt Disney World opened in Florida
1972
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAtari's Pong showed up in bars and arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesM*A*S*H premiered on CBS
- Fashion & FadsPlatform shoes were the height of fashion
- EventsMark Spitz won seven gold medals at the Munich Olympics
1973
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSchoolhouse Rock! began airing on Saturday mornings
- Music, TV & MoviesAmerican Graffiti was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsEnter the Dragon set off a kung fu craze
- EventsBillie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the "Battle of the Sexes"
1974
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe first Dungeons & Dragons game was published
- Music, TV & MoviesHappy Days premiered on ABC
- Fashion & FadsStreaking became a nationwide prank craze
- EventsHank Aaron hit his record-breaking 715th home run
1975
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Pet Rock became the must-have gift of Christmas
- Music, TV & MoviesJaws became the first summer blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsMood rings that change color became a fad
- EventsAmerican and Soviet spacecraft docked in orbit (Apollo–Soyuz)
1976
- Toys, Games & CartoonsKenner's stretchy Stretch Armstrong hit toy stores
- Music, TV & MoviesCharlie's Angels premiered on ABC
- Fashion & FadsFarrah Fawcett's feathered hair was copied everywhere
- EventsThe country celebrated its Bicentennial on July 4
1977
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Atari VCS (later called the 2600) went on sale
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars opened and became the biggest movie ever
- Fashion & FadsSaturday Night Fever brought disco fever to everyone
- EventsThe Apple II personal computer went on sale
1978
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMilton Bradley's light-up memory game Simon came out
- Music, TV & MoviesGrease was the summer's hit movie
- Fashion & FadsRoller disco became a craze at skating rinks
- EventsThe Camp David Accords were signed at the White House
1979
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAtari's Asteroids arrived in arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Dukes of Hazzard premiered on CBS
- Fashion & FadsMcDonald's introduced the Happy Meal
- EventsESPN, the all-sports TV channel, went on the air
1980s
1980
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPac-Man arrived in American arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Empire Strikes Back opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsThe Rubik's Cube hit US stores and became a craze
- EventsThe US hockey team beat the Soviets in the "Miracle on Ice"
1981
- Toys, Games & CartoonsDonkey Kong arrived in arcades
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Smurfs cartoon premiered on NBC
- Music, TV & MoviesMTV launched, playing music videos all day long
- Fashion & FadsThe preppy look — polo shirts and popped collars — was in
- EventsThe Space Shuttle Columbia made the first shuttle launch
1982
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMs. Pac-Man came to arcades
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Commodore 64 home computer went on sale
- Music, TV & MoviesE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was the year's biggest movie
- Fashion & Fads"Valley Girl" talk — like, totally! — swept the country
- EventsEPCOT Center opened at Walt Disney World
1983
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCabbage Patch Kids sold out and shoppers mobbed stores
- Music, TV & MoviesReturn of the Jedi opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsFlashdance made leg warmers and off-shoulder sweatshirts a look
- EventsSally Ride became the first American woman in space
1984
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTransformers toys and cartoon arrived in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesGhostbusters was the summer's hit movie
- Fashion & FadsBreakdancing on cardboard became a craze
- EventsLos Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics
1985
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe NES launched in New York, with Super Mario Bros.
- Music, TV & MoviesBack to the Future was the summer's hit movie
- Fashion & FadsCoca-Cola switched to "New Coke," then brought the original back
- EventsThe Live Aid concert was broadcast around the world
1986
- Toys, Games & CartoonsLazer Tag turned backyards into battlegrounds
- Music, TV & MoviesTop Gun was the year's biggest movie
- Fashion & FadsRun-DMC's "My Adidas" made shell-toe sneakers a must
- EventsThe Statue of Liberty reopened for its 100th birthday
1987
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon premiered
- Music, TV & MoviesFull House premiered on ABC
- Fashion & FadsAcid-wash jeans were the look
- EventsRescuers freed 18-month-old "Baby Jessica" from a Texas well
1988
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo Power magazine published its first issue
- Music, TV & MoviesWho Framed Roger Rabbit mixed cartoons and real actors
- Fashion & FadsScrunchies became the go-to hair accessory
- EventsFlorence Griffith Joyner set sprint world records
1989
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo's Game Boy went on sale with Tetris
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Simpsons premiered as a weekly series
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney's The Little Mermaid opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsNew Kids on the Block mania hit its peak
- EventsAmericans watched the Berlin Wall come down on TV
1990s
1990
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSuper Mario Bros. 3 came out on the NES
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air premiered on NBC
- Music, TV & MoviesHome Alone became the hit movie of the holidays
- Fashion & FadsSlap bracelets swept schools — until many schools banned them
- EventsThe Hubble Space Telescope was launched
1991
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Super Nintendo launched in the US
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSega's Sonic the Hedgehog came out
- Music, TV & MoviesNirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was everywhere
- Fashion & FadsHypercolor T-shirts that change color with heat were a fad
- EventsMichael Jordan's Chicago Bulls won their first NBA title
1992
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBarney & Friends premiered on PBS
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney's Aladdin was the holiday hit movie
- Fashion & FadsGrunge brought flannel shirts and ripped jeans into style
- EventsThe "Dream Team" won gold at the Barcelona Olympics
1993
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMighty Morphin Power Rangers premiered
- Music, TV & MoviesJurassic Park became the biggest movie of the year
- Fashion & FadsThe "got milk?" ads began
- EventsThe Mosaic web browser helped launch the Web era
1994
- Toys, Games & CartoonsDonkey Kong Country came out on the Super Nintendo
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Lion King was the summer's hit movie
- Music, TV & MoviesFriends premiered on NBC
- Fashion & FadsPogs and slammers took over schoolyards
- EventsThe US hosted the FIFA World Cup
1995
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSony's PlayStation launched in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesToy Story, the first all-computer-animated movie, opened
- Fashion & Fads"The Rachel" haircut from Friends was copied everywhere
- EventsWindows 95 launched with a huge marketing blitz
1996
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTickle Me Elmo sold out for Christmas
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo 64 launched with Super Mario 64
- Music, TV & MoviesSpace Jam put Michael Jordan with the Looney Tunes
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Macarena
- EventsAtlanta hosted the Summer Olympics
1997
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Tamagotchi virtual pet arrived in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Spice Girls' "Wannabe" hit No. 1
- Music, TV & MoviesTitanic opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsBeanie Babies mania — Teenie Beanies came in Happy Meals
- EventsMars Pathfinder landed on Mars on the Fourth of July
1998
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon arrived in the US with the cartoon and Red and Blue
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFurby was the must-have toy of Christmas
- Music, TV & MoviesMTV's Total Request Live started its after-school countdown
- Fashion & FadsButterfly clips and body glitter were the look
- EventsMark McGwire and Sammy Sosa raced to break the home run record
1999
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Pokémon Trading Card Game came out in the US
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon
- Music, TV & MoviesBritney Spears' "...Baby One More Time" hit No. 1
- Fashion & Fads"Is that your final answer?" from Millionaire was everywhere
- EventsThe US women won soccer's World Cup at the Rose Bowl
2000s
2000
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRazor scooters zipped down every sidewalk
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe PlayStation 2 launched in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesSurvivor premiered on CBS
- Fashion & FadsKids lined up at midnight for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- EventsThe new millennium arrived without the feared Y2K bug chaos
2001
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBratz dolls hit the shelves
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMicrosoft's Xbox launched with Halo
- Music, TV & MoviesShrek was a hit at the movies
- Music, TV & MoviesHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone came to theaters
- Fashion & FadsLow-rise jeans took over teen fashion
- EventsApple released the first iPod
2002
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Yu-Gi-Oh! card game came out in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesAmerican Idol premiered, and Kelly Clarkson won
- Music, TV & MoviesSpider-Man swung into theaters
- Fashion & FadsAvril Lavigne made ties and tank tops a skater look
- EventsSalt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics
2003
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Ruby and Sapphire came out on Game Boy Advance
- Music, TV & MoviesFinding Nemo was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsTrucker hats became a celebrity fashion trend
- EventsMySpace launched and teens started making profiles
2004
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo DS launched in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesMean Girls and Napoleon Dynamite were hits
- Fashion & FadsYellow Livestrong wristbands were on everyone's wrist
- EventsFacebook launched for college students
2005
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Xbox 360 launched
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars: Episode III opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsUgg boots were everywhere
- EventsYouTube was founded and posted its first video
2006
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Wii launched with Wii Sports
- Music, TV & MoviesHigh School Musical premiered on Disney Channel
- Music, TV & MoviesHannah Montana premiered on Disney Channel
- Fashion & FadsColorful Crocs clogs became a craze
- EventsFacebook opened to everyone 13 and older
2007
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRock Band and Guitar Hero turned living rooms into stages
- Music, TV & MoviesiCarly premiered on Nickelodeon
- Fashion & FadsWebkinz plush pets with online codes were a craze
- EventsApple released the first iPhone
2008
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWii Fit got families exercising in the living room
- Music, TV & MoviesIron Man kicked off the Marvel movie universe
- Fashion & FadsTwilight fans split into Team Edward and Team Jacob
- EventsMichael Phelps won eight gold medals in Beijing
2009
- Toys, Games & CartoonsZhu Zhu Pets hamsters were the hot toy of Christmas
- Music, TV & MoviesGlee premiered on Fox
- Fashion & FadsThe Snuggie, a blanket with sleeves, became a fad
- EventsFull-power TV stations switched from analog to digital
2010s
2010
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAngry Birds became a smartphone craze
- Music, TV & MoviesToy Story 3 opened in theaters
- Music, TV & MoviesJustin Bieber's "Baby" was everywhere
- Fashion & FadsSilly Bandz shaped rubber bands filled kids' wrists
- EventsApple released the first iPad
2011
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMinecraft was officially released
- Music, TV & MoviesThe final Harry Potter movie came out
- Fashion & Fads"Planking" photos spread across the internet
- EventsThe Space Shuttle flew its final mission
2012
- Toys, Games & CartoonsA new talking Furby came back to stores
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Avengers was the year's biggest movie
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the "Gangnam Style" dance
- EventsNASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars
2013
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRainbow Loom rubber-band bracelets became a craze
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney's Frozen opened in theaters
- Fashion & Fads"Selfie" was named the word of the year
- EventsVine's six-second videos took off
2014
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFlappy Bird was the phone game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesKids everywhere were singing "Let It Go"
- Fashion & FadsThe Ice Bucket Challenge spread across social media
- EventsMo'ne Davis pitched a shutout at the Little League World Series
2015
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSelf-balancing "hoverboards" were the hot gift
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars: The Force Awakens opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsThe internet argued over "the dress" — blue or gold?
- EventsThe US women won the World Cup in Canada
2016
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Go sent everyone outside to catch Pokémon
- Music, TV & MoviesStranger Things premiered on Netflix
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney's Moana opened in theaters
- Fashion & FadsBottle flipping and the Mannequin Challenge took over
- EventsThe Chicago Cubs won their first World Series since 1908
2017
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch launched
- Music, TV & Movies"Despacito" spent 16 weeks at No. 1
- Fashion & FadsFidget spinners spun in every classroom
- EventsA total solar eclipse crossed the US from coast to coast
2018
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFortnite Battle Royale became the game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesBlack Panther was a smash hit
- Fashion & FadsKids everywhere did the Floss dance
- EventsChloe Kim won snowboarding gold at the PyeongChang Olympics
2019
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Sword and Shield came out on Nintendo Switch
- Music, TV & Movies"Old Town Road" set a record with 19 weeks at No. 1
- Fashion & Fads"VSCO girls" with Hydro Flasks and scrunchies were a trend
- EventsDisney+ launched, and Baby Yoda became a sensation
2020s
2020
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons came out
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAmong Us became a huge hit
- Music, TV & MoviesHamilton came to Disney+
- Fashion & FadsTikTok dances like "Renegade" went viral
- EventsSchools closed during the pandemic and classes moved online
2021
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPop It fidget toys were in every backpack
- Music, TV & MoviesOlivia Rodrigo's "drivers license" topped the charts
- Fashion & FadsSquid Game costumes were everywhere on Halloween
- EventsNASA's Perseverance rover landed on Mars
2022
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSquishmallows plush toys were the collectible of the year
- Music, TV & Movies"We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto hit No. 1
- Music, TV & MoviesTop Gun: Maverick was the summer's hit movie
- Fashion & FadsEveryone shared their daily Wordle scores
- EventsChatGPT was released to the public
2023
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom came out
- Music, TV & MoviesTaylor Swift's Eras Tour began
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Super Mario Bros. Movie was a box-office hit
- Fashion & FadsThe Barbie movie turned everything pink
- EventsCoco Gauff won the US Open at 19
2024
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPixar's Inside Out 2 became a huge hit
- Music, TV & MoviesSabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" was the song of the summer
- Music, TV & MoviesWicked came to theaters
- Fashion & FadsStanley tumblers became a must-have
- EventsA total solar eclipse crossed from Texas to Maine
2025
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch 2 launched
- Music, TV & MoviesA Minecraft Movie was a hit, and "chicken jockey!" went viral
- Fashion & FadsLabubu plush charms became a collecting craze
- EventsChicago-born Leo XIV became the first American pope