History of the 90s

This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of the most historic moments of the 1990s. On October 3, 1990, East and West Germany were reunited after 45 years of cold war separation. The reunification process was set in motion a year earlier when border crossings along the Berlin Wall were unexpectedly opened, finally allowing friends and family who had been divided by the concrete barrier to reunite. Who can forget the glorious celebrations that took place on top of the Berlin Wall which marked a turning point in modern history? On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the tumultuous events that led up to the toppling of the Berlin Wall and ultimately the reunification of East and West Germany.Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caFor exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90's we look back at an era when unprecedented violence against abortion providers gave rise to a serial shooter, known as the abortion sniper. Abortion doctors in Canada and the US were targeted by a lone gunman who lurked outside their homes, often for days, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It was all part of a rise in violence in the 1990's lead by anti-abortion groups like the Army of God and Operation Rescue who used destructive tactics like arson and bombings to get clinics shutdown and prevent abortions from taking place.Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuest:Jon Wells, journalist and author of Sniper: The True Story of Anti-Abortion Killer James Kopphttps://www.harpercollins.ca/author/cr-176244/jon-wells/Twitter: @jonjwellsFor exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast explores the rise of stand-up comedians turning into TV stars in the 90s. It discusses the creation of 'Everybody Loves Raymond', the journey of Drew Carey and his sitcom, the rise and fall of 'Grace Under Fire', and the eventual decline of stand-up sitcoms in the 90s.

The podcast explores the phenomenon of stand-up comedians starring in their own sitcoms in the 90s. It discusses the rise of Roseanne Barr and the unique characteristics of her character on the show. The success story of Tim Allen on Home Improvement is also highlighted, along with the advantages of building a TV show around a stand-up comedian. The podcast then explores the early career of Martin Lawrence and discusses Ellen DeGeneres, her sitcom, and the groundbreaking 'puppy episode' where she comes out as a lesbian. The hosts also discuss a groundbreaking sitcom episode where a character comes out as gay and the subsequent impact on LGBTQ+ representation on TV.

25 years ago, this September, a long simmering dispute over First Nations’ territory in Southwestern Ontario turned deadly when police shot and killed an unarmed protestor. Dudley George was among a group of protestors who occupied Ipperwash Provincial Park to assert their claim to the land they believed contained sacred burial grounds. On the night of September 6th, 1995, heavily armed police officers marched up a dark road toward the park to confront the protestors. Within 30 minutes a band councillor was severely beaten by police and George was dead.On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the confrontation that has become known as the Ipperwash Crisis, and the years long search for justice and answers that followed.Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuests:Monica Virtue, Researcher and Filmmakerhttps://monicavirtue.com/Twitter: @VirtueintheCityPeter Edwards, author of One Dead Indianhttps://peteredwardsauthor.com/For exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90's we look back at the 1992 Los Angeles riots and the various factors that led to the largest and most violent case of civil unrest in United States history.The acquittal of four police officers in connection with the brutal video taped beating of Rodney King wasn’t the only reason people went into the streets of South L.A. looting and burning buildings over a six day period in April 92. The Black community was also reeling from a judges’ decision not to send a Korean shopkeeper to jail in connection with the shooting death of 15-year-old Latasha Harlins. Plus, South L.A., which was 50 percent Black in the early 90s was hit hard by unemployment, gang violence and the crack epidemic. As you’ll hear in this episode. the conditions were ripe for unrest.A note on sources:The information in this podcast about the timeline of events at the intersection of Florence and Normandie was based on reporting in a 1998 article by The Washington Post.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/01/26/worlds-collide-at-florence-and-normandie/5bfed605-0da1-4bfd-b69f-bc1cef8b7cc8/Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuest:Brenda Stevenson, Professor of African American Studies at UCLA. Author of The Contested Murder of Latasha Harlins: Justice, Gender and the Origins of the L.A. Riotshttps://www.drbrendastevenson.com/Ryan Gattis, author of All Involvedhttps://ryangattis.com/Twitter: @ryan_GattisFor exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s we finish up our look back at Doomsday Cults at the end of the 20th century with the story of the Branch Davidians and the complicated legacy of the deadly siege in Waco, Texas.In February 1993, ATF agents raided the Davidians compound in Waco, Texas after learning they were stockpiling weapons. Agents expected to execute a typical arrest warrant but instead ended up in a deadly gun battle with Branch Davidian leader David Koresh and his followers. A 51-day standoff between the FBI and the Davidians ended when flames swept through the compound after tear gas was fired into the buildings. 75 people died, including 25 children. Charges and counter charges followed the incident and questions about how the fires stared and whether federal agents or Davidians were responsible for the deadly outcome remain to this day.  Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuest:Dick Reavis, author of The Ashes of Waco: An Investigation.https://www.texasmonthly.com/author/dick-reavis/For exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s we continue our look back at the rise of doomsday cults in the years leading up to the new millennium.In March 1997, Heaven’s Gate made headlines around the world when 39 members died by suicide and today it remains one of the most recognizable and notorious cults of the 20th century. The group was formed in the 1970’s by Marshall Herf Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles who combined their belief in extra-terrestrials with Christian theology. They traveled around the country, collecting a loyal following of like-minded people. By the 1990’s they settled in California and began to prepare for the end times. When the Hale-Bopp comet was discovered Applewhite told his followers that a spaceship was traveling behind the comet and would pick them up and take them to the Next Level. But the only way followers could join the spaceship was by committing suicide. Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuest:Alan R. Warren, author of “Doomsday Cults: The Devil’s Hostages”https://www.alanrwarren.com/Facebook: @radiocubA note on sources: The description of Officer Robert Brunk’s discovery of the crime scene was included in an article by Gary Warth in the San Diego Union-Tribune on March 26, 2007.https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-i-lost-count-at-10-encinitas-deputy-recalls-day-2007mar26-story.htmlFor exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of History of the 90s we continue our look back at the rise of doomsday cults in the years leading up to the new millennium. The Japanese doomsday cult, Aum Shinrikyo, killed 13 people and injured over 5,000 others in a sarin gas attack on the Tokyo Subway System in March 1995. It’s believed they were trying to bring about a world war that would result in an all-out nuclear war. Aum’s leader Shoko Asahara convinced his members that only they would survive the nuclear war and would transcend to a new utopian society.Aum Shinrikyo reportedly had 40,000 members in countries around the world including Japan, Russia and the United States. In Tokyo, the majority of their members were highly educated young men who had grown disillusioned with Japanese society’s pressure to succeed. With the help of these followers, Asahara was able to build a network of chemical labs and computer companies worth a billion dollars. Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuest:Paul Midford, Professor and Director of the Japan Program at the Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyFor exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the next few episodes of History of the 90s we are looking back at the doomsday cults and their rise to infamy in the years leading up to the new millennium.During the 1990’s the world began to seem more dangerous with war, environmental destruction and social breakdown becoming part of the everyday fabric of society. As a way of coping some people turned to new religions and cults for guidance and support. In some cases that decision ended with deadly consequences. On part one we uncover the little-known story of the Order of the Solar Temple. The religious sect had branches in Canada, Switzerland and France and its members included politicians, journalists, executives and police officers. We’ll look at how members hoping to start a new life instead found horrific and tragic ends.Contact: Twitter: @1990shistoryFacebook: @1990shistoryInstagram: @that90spodcastEmail: 90s@curiouscast.caGuest:Michael Kropveld, Executive Director of Info-Culthttps://www.infosecte.org/For exclusive bonus content subscribe to History of the 90s Patreon page.: https://patreon.com/historyofthe90s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices