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Austria, Finland, and Sweden join the EU (January 1) -

Austria, Finland, and Sweden officially joined the European Union, expanding the bloc's membership to 15 nations.

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) is established (January 1) -

The WTO was established to replace the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The WTO aims to regulate international trade, promote free trade agreements, and resolve disputes between nations.

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Great Hanshin earthquake devastates Japan (January 17) -

The Great Hanshin earthquake struck southern Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, with a maximum Shindo of 7. The 6.9-magnitude quake caused widespread devastation, claiming over 6,400 lives and displacing hundreds of thousands.

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Bernard Harris walks in space (February 9) -

On February 9, 1995, Bernard Harris became the first Black man to walk in space. His historic spacewalk aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour marked a milestone.

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Barings Bank collapse (February 26) -

Barings Bank, the UK's oldest investment banking firm, collapsed after rogue trader Nick Leeson (pictured) incurred massive losses in unauthorized trades.

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Tokyo subway sarin attack (March 20) -

The Aum Shinrikyo cult released sarin gas in the Tokyo subway system, killing 14 people and injuring over a thousand. This horrifying terrorist attack shocked Japan and the world.

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Record-breaking space mission (March 22) -

Russian cosmonaut Valeri Polyakov returned to Earth after spending a record-breaking 438 days aboard the Mir space station.

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Schengen Agreement went into effect (March 26) -

The Schengen Agreement came into effect, easing cross-border travel in participating European countries. This milestone eliminated internal borders, allowing for free movement of people and goods.

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Selena is murdered (March 29) -

The "Queen of Tejano Music" was tragically murdered by her former fan club president, Yolanda Saldívar. The loss of the 23-year-old star shocked fans worldwide and underscored her immense influence on Latin music.

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Oklahoma City bombing (April 19) -

Timothy McVeigh detonated a bomb at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168 people, including 19 children. It became the deadliest domestic terrorist attack in US history.

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The Internet is privatized (April 30) -

The US government ceased funding the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET), marking the complete privatization of the Internet.

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Disappearance of the Panchen Lama (May 14) -

On May 14, 1995, the Dalai Lama named six-year-old Gedhun Choekyi Nyima the 11th Panchen Lama. Days later, Chinese authorities detained him, sparking global criticism. Nyima remains forcibly detained, along with his family, in an undisclosed location.

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Neftegorsk earthquake (May 28) -

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Neftegorsk on Sakhalin Island, Russia, with a Mercalli intensity of IX. The disaster destroyed the town, killing nearly 2,000 people and injuring hundreds.

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Airline hijacking rescue in Japan (June 22) -

Japanese police safely rescued 365 hostages from a hijacked All Nippon Airways flight at Hakodate Airport. The lone hijacker, armed with a knife, demanded the release of Aum Shinrikyo cult leader Shoko Asahara.

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Sampoong Department Store collapse (June 29) -

The Sampoong Department Store in Seoul, South Korea, catastrophically collapsed, killing 502 people and injuring 937. Poor construction practices and negligence were cited as causes.

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Iraq disarmament crisis (June 29) -

The Iraq disarmament crisis began as the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) reported a weakening of UN Security Council unity. Nations like France and Russia prioritized economic ties with Iraq over its disarmament, creating significant diplomatic tensions. Pictured is the UN disarmament chief for Iraq, Rolf Ekéus.

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Atlantis docks with Mir (June 29) -

Space Shuttle Atlantis made history on June 29 by docking with the Russian Mir space station for the first time. This mission marked a milestone in US-Russia space cooperation.

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US–Vietnam relations restored (July 11) -

President Bill Clinton announced the restoration of diplomatic relations between the US and Vietnam, 20 years after the Vietnam War had ended. This marked a new chapter in reconciliation and diplomacy.

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Srebrenica massacre (July 11) -

Between July 11 and 22, Bosnian Serb forces massacred over 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, a UN-designated safe area. It's considered the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II.

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Windows 95 launched (August 24) -

Microsoft launched Windows 95 on August 24, revolutionizing personal computing with its user-friendly interface and groundbreaking Start menu.

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O.J. Simpson trial verdict (October 3) -

On October 3, O.J. Simpson was acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The high-profile trial captivated global audiences and highlighted racial tensions in the US.

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The Million Man March (October 16) -

The Million Man March, organized by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, gathered hundreds of thousands of African-American men in Washington, D.C., promoting unity, empowerment, and social justice.

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Baku Metro fire (October 28) -

A devastating fire in the Baku Metro in Azerbaijan killed 289 passengers, making it the deadliest subway disaster in history. The tragedy highlighted safety concerns in public transportation systems.

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Quebec referendum (October 30) -

Quebec narrowly rejected independence from Canada in a referendum, with 50.58% voting to remain. The close result underscored deep divisions over sovereignty within the province and the nation.

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Bombay renamed Mumbai (November) -

In November 1995, the Indian government officially renamed Bombay to Mumbai, reclaiming its historic name and honoring Marathi heritage.

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Assassination of Yitzhak Rabin (November 4) -

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. His death was a significant blow to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and global hopes for resolution.

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Typhoon Angela (November 7) -

Typhoon Angela wreaked havoc on the Philippines and Vietnam, leaving 882 people dead and causing US$315 million in damages.

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Car bomb explosion at Egyptian Embassy (November 20) -

A car bomb exploded outside the Egyptian Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan, destroying the building's facade. At least 13 people were killed and dozens more were wounded.

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Dayton Agreement signed (December 14) -

The Dayton Agreement was signed in Paris, officially ending the Bosnian War. The peace deal brought a resolution to the devastating conflict, establishing Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single state.

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American Airlines Flight 965 crash (December 20) -

American Airlines Flight 965, a Boeing 757, crashed into a mountain near Buga, Colombia, killing 160 passengers and crew. The tragedy was one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Colombia.

Sources: (Historic Newspapers) (BBC) (History) 

See also: 30 songs turning 30 in 2025 

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