You won't believe these events happened 30 years ago! -

Can you believe that it has already been 30 years since 1994? A particularly eventful year politically and culturally, much that happened then helped shape the world we see today. After years of Apartheid, South Africa saw its first black President take office when Nelson Mandela was sworn in. The world was also saddened by the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. Plus, it was also the year the case against O. J. Simpson began to form. 

Curious to see what other events marked 1994? Then click through the following gallery.

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The NAFTA is established -

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was a treaty between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that got rid of the majority of tariffs between the countries. On July 1, 2020, it was replaced by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

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Tonya Harding and the attack on Nancy Kerrigan -

Kerrigan, one of America's top figure skaters, was clubbed in the leg after a practice session with a police baton. It later emerged that she'd been attacked by the ex-husband of rival skater Tonya Harding, Jeff Gillooly, and her bodyguard, Shawn Eckardt. The United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) determined that Harding was at least partially responsible for the attack on Kerrigan. She was stripped of her titles and banned from USFSA events for life. Harding always denied her involvement in the attack. 

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US-Russia nuclear missiles -

US President Bill Clinton and Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed the Kremlin accords, to stop the preprogrammed aiming of nuclear missiles toward each country's targets. Its aim was also to dismantle the nuclear arsenal in Ukraine.

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The Winter Olympics - The 1994 Winter Olympics were held in Lillehammer, Norway, from 12 to 27 February. A total of 67 nations participated.

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Steven Spielberg finally wins his first two Oscars -

After two decades in Hollywood directing some of the most successful and beloved films of all time, Spielberg finally won two Oscars for 'Schindler's List.'

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NASA STS-62 shuttle mission -

NASA's STS-62 mission took place during March with a crew of five people. The crew conducted several experiments during the 14-day mission, including growing crystals in microgravity. The landing was documented for a Discovery Channel special about the Space Shuttle Program.

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Berlusconi wins the Italian election -

On March 27, TV tycoon Silvio Berlusconi's right-wing coalition won the Italian general election. He served as the prime minister of Italy in four governments from 1994 to 1995, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011.

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A tragic end -

Kurt Cobain, the lead singer of Nirvana, committed suicide on April 5 at age 27 at his home in Seattle. His body was found three days later.

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The Rwandan Genocide begins -

On April 7, the Rwandan Genocide began, with the Presidential Guard ending the lives of public figures and politicians in Kigali, including Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana. The genocide ended on July 15, 1994, with an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 Tutsi deaths.

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Richard Nixon dies -

Former US President Richard Nixon died from a stroke on April 22. He was 81 years old. 

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Nelson Mandela becomes president -

On April 27, South Africa held its first fully multiracial elections, marking the end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela won the elections and was sworn in as the first democratically elected president the following month.

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A new way of travel -

In May, the Channel Tunnel, linking England and France, officially opened. However, the first trains for the public only began to run on November 14. 

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A Formula 1 tragedy -

On May 1, Brazilian Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna was killed in a 309 km/h crash, while leading the San Marino Grand Prix in Italy. Senna was a three-time World Formula 1 champion. 

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A cinematic classic is born -

Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' premiered at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival. On May 23, it won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the festival. 

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An icon dies -

After only three days in hospital for cancer treatment, former First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis died on May 19 at the age of 64. 

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A surprise wedding -

The King of Rock and Roll's daughter Lisa Marie Presley married the King of Pop Michael Jackson in the Dominican Republic on May 26. The couple divorced two years later. 

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O.J. Simpson goes to trial -

Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ronald Lyle Goldman were murdered on June 12. Three days after the bodies were found, millions of people were glued to their TV screens as Simpson engaged in a low-speed car chase with the LAPD while driving a white Ford Bronco. Simpson eventually surrendered to authorities. The trial concluded in October 1995, and Simpson was found not guilty.

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Ceasefire negotiations for the Yugoslav War -

Between June 6 and 8, ceasefire negotiations for the Yugoslav War began in Geneva. A one-month cessation of hostilities was agreed upon, but only lasted a few days.

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'The Lion King' becomes a success -

'The Lion King' was released on June 15. It became the number-one movie of the year and a new Disney classic! 

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The beginning of an empire -

In Bellevue, Washington, entrepreneur Jeff Bezos established Amazon on July 5. 

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A new cinema classic premieres -

The film 'Forrest Gump,' starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, and Gary Sinise, is released on July 6. In 1995, it won the Academy Award for Best Picture. 

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Brazil wins the FIFA World Cup -

Brazil won the 1994 FIFA World Cup, defeating Italy 3–2 in a penalty shootout. The World Cup was held in the US for the first time in the competition's history.

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The Supreme Leader of North Korea dies -

Dictator, founder, and Supreme Leader of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, died at the age of 82 from a heart attack on July 8. However, he officially continues to hold office, as he was declared the eternal president after his death. 

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The AMIA bombing -

The AMIA bombing happened on July 18 in Buenos Aires and targeted a Jewish community center. In a suicidal attack, a bomb-laden van was driven into the AMIA building and subsequently detonated, killing 85 people and injuring over 300. 

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A ceasefire is declared in Northern Ireland -

On August 31, the Provisional Irish Republican Army announced a "complete cessation of military operations" as part of the Northern Ireland peace process. This would temporarily end in 1996 with the Docklands bombing in England before a definite ceasefire in 1997. 

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'Friends' took the world by storm -

When TV viewers tuned into NBC on that Thursday night in September, they didn't know they were watching history. The popular sitcom aired for 10 years. 

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Democracy returns to Haiti -

In what is known as Operation Uphold Democracy, US troops staged a bloodless invasion of Haiti to restore the legitimately elected leader, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, to power. After three years of US exile, Aristide returned to his country.

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Norway, Sweden, and Finland vote on whether to join the European Union - Voters in Sweden and Finland decided to join the European Union in a referendum. Meanwhile, Norway decided not to join the European Union.

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The Nobel Peace Prize -

In October, the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Yasser Arafat, Yitzhak Rabin, and Shimon Peres "for their efforts to create peace in the Middle East."

Sources: (Business Insider) (Historic Newspapers) 

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