1996

In a major technological development, the chess computer, “Deep Blue,” defeated world chess champion, Garry Kasparov, for the first time. Kasparov would go on to best the computer in a six game series, though. Still, this computer developed by IBM pushed the bounds of technology and prompted the world to think about the budding relationship between humans and technology.

In another development regarding technology, specifically gaming technology, 1996 was the year that the Nintendo 64, or N64, was released. Named because of its 64-bit central processing unit, this gaming system represented another step in game console development and gave the world several memorable games, such as Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, GoldenEye 007, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

There were some developments that occurred this year in which the true significance would not be apparent for some time. In literature, author George R.R. Martin published A Game of Thrones, the first novel in his series, A Song of Ice and Fire. While the series of novels would be successful, the world created by Martin would become hugely popular with the production of the HBO series: Game of Thrones, which premiered in 2011.

In television history, Comedy Central’s The Daily Show premiered in 1996, hosted by Craig Kilborn. The show would eventually become an anchor for Comedy Central’s programming after Jon Stewart took over hosting duties in 1999, winning great popular and critical acclaim.

Another, more serious, political development also occurred in 1996: Osama bin Laden declared war against the United States. As a founder of the Al Qaeda terrorist group, bin Laden would go on to lead several attacks against the United States and American allies, the worst of which was the devastating attacks of September 11, 2001.