90s

AOL
General Pop Culture

A Look Back at 1996

Mickey Yarber

1996 was a year caught between eras, where dial‑up tones mixed with booming box‑office hits and pop culture seemed to reinvent itself every few months. From new tech to unforgettable trends, it was a moment when the future started to feel very real.

Television

The History of the Coca-Cola Polar Bears

Mickey Yarber

Few advertising icons have captured the public’s imagination quite like the Coca‑Cola polar bears. With their playful personalities and snowy backdrops, these Arctic mascots have become as much a part of the holiday season as

The House of the Dead
Video Games

Arcade All-Stars: The House of the Dead

Mickey Yarber

First-person shooters entered the world of the macabre and gory in 1997’s House of the Dead. Sega’s frightfest offered all the usual light-gun action, but instead of soldiers, terrorists or aliens, this game pitted your shooting