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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Partridge Family premiered and its songs hit the radio ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsBell-bottoms and tie-dye shirts were everywhere
- EventsThe first Earth Day was held across the country ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
1972
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAtari's Pong showed up in bars and arcades ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
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" ▶ Watch the official video
1974
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe first Dungeons & Dragons game was published
- Music, TV & MoviesHappy Days premiered on ABC
- Fashion & FadsStreaking became a nationwide prank craze ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsHank Aaron hit his record-breaking 715th home run ▶ Watch the official video
1975
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Pet Rock became the must-have gift of Christmas ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesJaws became the first summer blockbuster ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsMood rings that change color became a fad
- EventsAmerican and Soviet spacecraft docked in orbit (Apollo–Soyuz) ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
1977
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Atari VCS (later called the 2600) went on sale
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars opened and became the biggest movie ever ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsRoller disco became a craze at skating rinks
- EventsThe Camp David Accords were signed at the White House ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Empire Strikes Back opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsThe Rubik's Cube hit US stores and became a craze ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsThe US hockey team beat the Soviets in the "Miracle on Ice" ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsThe preppy look — polo shirts and popped collars — was in
- EventsThe Space Shuttle Columbia made the first shuttle launch ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & Fads"Valley Girl" talk — like, totally! — swept the country ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsEPCOT Center opened at Walt Disney World
1983
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCabbage Patch Kids sold out and shoppers mobbed stores ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesReturn of the Jedi opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsFlashdance made leg warmers and off-shoulder sweatshirts a look
- EventsSally Ride became the first American woman in space ▶ Watch the official video
1984
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTransformers toys and cartoon arrived in the US ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesGhostbusters was the summer's hit movie ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsBreakdancing on cardboard became a craze
- EventsLos Angeles hosted the Summer Olympics ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsCoca-Cola switched to "New Coke," then brought the original back ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsThe Live Aid concert was broadcast around the world ▶ Watch the official video
1986
- Toys, Games & CartoonsLazer Tag turned backyards into battlegrounds
- Music, TV & MoviesTop Gun was the year's biggest movie ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsRun-DMC's "My Adidas" made shell-toe sneakers a must ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsThe Statue of Liberty reopened for its 100th birthday ▶ Watch the official video
1987
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon premiered ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesFull House premiered on ABC ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsAcid-wash jeans were the look
- EventsRescuers freed 18-month-old "Baby Jessica" from a Texas well ▶ Watch the official video
1988
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo Power magazine published its first issue
- Music, TV & MoviesWho Framed Roger Rabbit mixed cartoons and real actors ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsScrunchies became the go-to hair accessory
- EventsFlorence Griffith Joyner set sprint world records ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsNew Kids on the Block mania hit its peak ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsAmericans watched the Berlin Wall come down on TV ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsSlap bracelets swept schools — until many schools banned them
- EventsThe Hubble Space Telescope was launched ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsHypercolor T-shirts that change color with heat were a fad
- EventsMichael Jordan's Chicago Bulls won their first NBA title ▶ Watch the official video
1992
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBarney & Friends premiered on PBS ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
1993
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMighty Morphin Power Rangers premiered ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesJurassic Park became the biggest movie of the year ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesFriends premiered on NBC ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsPogs and slammers took over schoolyards
- EventsThe US hosted the FIFA World Cup ▶ Watch the official video
1995
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSony's PlayStation launched in the US ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesToy Story, the first all-computer-animated movie, opened ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & Fads"The Rachel" haircut from Friends was copied everywhere
- EventsWindows 95 launched with a huge marketing blitz ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Macarena ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsAtlanta hosted the Summer Olympics ▶ Watch the official video
1997
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Tamagotchi virtual pet arrived in the US
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Spice Girls' "Wannabe" hit No. 1 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesTitanic opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsBeanie Babies mania — Teenie Beanies came in Happy Meals
- EventsMars Pathfinder landed on Mars on the Fourth of July ▶ Watch the official video
1998
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon arrived in the US with the cartoon and Red and Blue ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
1999
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Pokémon Trading Card Game came out in the US
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesBritney Spears' "...Baby One More Time" hit No. 1 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & Fads"Is that your final answer?" from Millionaire was everywhere
- EventsThe US women won soccer's World Cup at the Rose Bowl ▶ Watch the official video
2000s
2000
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRazor scooters zipped down every sidewalk
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe PlayStation 2 launched in the US ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesSurvivor premiered on CBS ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsKids lined up at midnight for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
- EventsThe new millennium arrived without the feared Y2K bug chaos ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone came to theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesSpider-Man swung into theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsAvril Lavigne made ties and tank tops a skater look ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsSalt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics ▶ Watch the official video
2003
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Ruby and Sapphire came out on Game Boy Advance
- Music, TV & MoviesFinding Nemo was a hit at the movies ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsYellow Livestrong wristbands were on everyone's wrist ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsFacebook launched for college students ▶ Watch the official video
2005
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Xbox 360 launched
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars: Episode III opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsUgg boots were everywhere
- EventsYouTube was founded and posted its first video ▶ Watch the official video
2006
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Wii launched with Wii Sports
- Music, TV & MoviesHigh School Musical premiered on Disney Channel ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesHannah Montana premiered on Disney Channel ▶ Watch the official video
- 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 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesiCarly premiered on Nickelodeon ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsWebkinz plush pets with online codes were a craze
- EventsApple released the first iPhone ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsMichael Phelps won eight gold medals in Beijing ▶ Watch the official video
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 ▶ Watch the official video
2010s
2010
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAngry Birds became a smartphone craze ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesToy Story 3 opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesJustin Bieber's "Baby" was everywhere ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsSilly Bandz shaped rubber bands filled kids' wrists
- EventsApple released the first iPad ▶ Watch the official video
2011
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMinecraft was officially released ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesThe final Harry Potter movie came out ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & Fads"Planking" photos spread across the internet
- EventsThe Space Shuttle flew its final mission ▶ Watch the official video
2012
- Toys, Games & CartoonsA new talking Furby came back to stores
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Avengers was the year's biggest movie ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the "Gangnam Style" dance ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsNASA's Curiosity rover landed on Mars ▶ Watch the official video
2013
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRainbow Loom rubber-band bracelets became a craze ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney's Frozen opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- 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" ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsThe Ice Bucket Challenge spread across social media ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsMo'ne Davis pitched a shutout at the Little League World Series ▶ Watch the official video
2015
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSelf-balancing "hoverboards" were the hot gift
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars: The Force Awakens opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsThe internet argued over "the dress" — blue or gold?
- EventsThe US women won the World Cup in Canada ▶ Watch the official video
2016
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Go sent everyone outside to catch Pokémon ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesStranger Things premiered on Netflix ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney's Moana opened in theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsBottle flipping and the Mannequin Challenge took over
- EventsThe Chicago Cubs won their first World Series since 1908 ▶ Watch the official video
2017
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch launched ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & Movies"Despacito" spent 16 weeks at No. 1 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsFidget spinners spun in every classroom
- EventsA total solar eclipse crossed the US from coast to coast ▶ Watch the official video
2018
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFortnite Battle Royale became the game everyone played ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesBlack Panther was a smash hit ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsKids everywhere did the Floss dance
- EventsChloe Kim won snowboarding gold at the PyeongChang Olympics ▶ Watch the official video
2019
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Sword and Shield came out on Nintendo Switch ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & Movies"Old Town Road" set a record with 19 weeks at No. 1 ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & Fads"VSCO girls" with Hydro Flasks and scrunchies were a trend
- EventsDisney+ launched, and Baby Yoda became a sensation ▶ Watch the official video
2020s
2020
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons came out ▶ Watch the official video
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAmong Us became a huge hit ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesHamilton came to Disney+ ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsTikTok dances like "Renegade" went viral
- EventsSchools closed during the pandemic and classes moved online ▶ Watch the official video
2021
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPop It fidget toys were in every backpack
- Music, TV & MoviesOlivia Rodrigo's "drivers license" topped the charts ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsSquid Game costumes were everywhere on Halloween ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsNASA's Perseverance rover landed on Mars ▶ Watch the official video
2022
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSquishmallows plush toys were the collectible of the year ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & Movies"We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto hit No. 1 ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesTop Gun: Maverick was the summer's hit movie ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsEveryone shared their daily Wordle scores
- EventsChatGPT was released to the public ▶ Watch the official video
2023
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom came out ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesTaylor Swift's Eras Tour began ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Super Mario Bros. Movie was a box-office hit ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsThe Barbie movie turned everything pink ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsCoco Gauff won the US Open at 19 ▶ Watch the official video
2024
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPixar's Inside Out 2 became a huge hit ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesSabrina Carpenter's "Espresso" was the song of the summer ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesWicked came to theaters ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsStanley tumblers became a must-have
- EventsA total solar eclipse crossed from Texas to Maine ▶ Watch the official video
2025
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch 2 launched ▶ Watch the official video
- Music, TV & MoviesA Minecraft Movie was a hit, and "chicken jockey!" went viral ▶ Watch the official video
- Fashion & FadsLabubu plush charms became a collecting craze ▶ Watch the official video
- EventsChicago-born Leo XIV became the first American pope ▶ Watch the official video