The 90s were a time of massive change: new cell phones, the Internet, and what seemed like the biggest baby boom since the end of WWII. It seemed new technology was being invented every day and to us 90s babies, it sure seemed like that. But all this new techie stuff raises the question: WHY are we as 90s babies so nostalgic about a time when we were only elementary kids?

I think our underlying need for a return to nostalgia stems from the knowledge that we had no adult responsibilities and that our parents would take care of our needs. However, what about the media presence on us 90s babies? Shows like Full House, Rugrats, CatDog, Hey Arnold!, and Recess were always on during our childhood. We became the first generation in a hundred years to live in not only a new century but also a time when so much new technology was being made, levels of manufacturing domestic items had not been seen since the Industrial Revolution. This certainly has had a huge impact on us ever since.

Media was not the only specific factor in our lives. Growing up, we idolized sports figures like any other generation. More so, on growing up with the figures we did, we got to see legends like Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Jerry Rice, John Elway, and even Wayne Gretzky, among others. Growing up, as the 90s moved forward, we were introduced to marketing schemes of fast-food giants like McDonald's, Burger King, Hardee's, and even Wendy's. How these places lured kids in was with a free toy with a kid's meal. This continues today and will probably do so for years to come.

Another form of media that we 90s babies remember is the magic that is Harry Potter, and though the first film did not come out until November of 2001, we got to enjoy the first 3 books, from 1997-1999. Though the iconic series has been spread out over 16 years, it will forever remain a humble 90s beginning.

The last point that I think will sum up the 90s for us as a generation is that a singular world event which will want us 90s babies to return to our childhood due to this event. The event that this is in regards to is September 11th, 2001. Yes, 9/11 I believe is a part of our childhood that will want us to return to the 90s due to the fact that some of us might have lost a parent or another family member in that horrific tragedy.

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