BestOfDate

October 8, 1996

October 8, 1996, was a Tuesday. It was 27 years, 6 months, and 11 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Libra.

Song charts

Music charts

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on October 8, 1996:

  • United States: "Macarena" by Los Del Rio
  • United Kingdom: "Setting Sun" by Chemical Brothers

The Billboard Hot 100 on October 8, 1996

These were the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix) - Los Del Rio
  • I Love You Always Forever - Donna Lewis
  • It's All Coming Back To Me Now - Celine Dion
  • Twisted - Keith Sweat
  • C'mon N' Ride It (The Train) - Quad City DJ's
Play the top songs from 1996
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1996. Take a trip back to the days of the Spice Girls, the Backstreet Boys, Alanis Morissette, Celine Dion and the Fugees.
First Wives Club

Top movie at the box office

The movie "First Wives Club" was at the top of the box office on October 8, 1996.

Facts

This date was 10,055 days ago. Approximately 335 months have passed. It was the 282nd day of 1996, in week 41. The decade was the nineties. People born on this day are currently 27 years old and belong to the Gen-Z generation. 1996 had 366 days because it was a leap year. The Earth has experienced 112 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to October 8, 1996

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

It is Tuesday, October 8, 1996. Anyone born today will have the star sign Libra. The summer is long gone. Temperatures have become much cooler, and the evenings are beginning to get darker.

There is a fresh, earthy scent in the air, and fallen leaves have carpeted driveways, lawns, pathways, and sidewalks. In America, the song "Macarena" by Los Del Rio is at the top of the singles charts, while "Setting Sun" by Chemical Brothers is the number-one song in the UK. Bill Clinton is the President of the United States, and the movie First Wives Club is at the top of the box office.

John Major is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. A new form of communication called "text messaging" is starting to become more widespread. However, it can only be done if both the sender and the receiver are on the same cell network. Meanwhile, a global system called "the Internet" is also starting to take off. Each day, more and more people are learning how to send emails and browse "websites" on the World Wide Web by connecting their IBM computers to noisy dial-up modems.

In fashion, "grunge" clothing has fallen out of favor, and women are beginning to wear form-fitting outfits such as slip dresses and pencil skirts. Movies such as Clueless and The Craft have popularized the "sexy schoolgirl" look. The CD is quickly becoming the dominant format for music, and people are buying portable players such as the "Discman". Consequently, sales of cassette tapes are continuing to decline. It's 1996, so radio stations are being dominated by the likes of Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, Céline Dion, Oasis, Mark Morrison, Spice Girls, Los Del Rio, 2Pac and Coolio.

A new dance craze called the "Macarena" is all the rage at the moment. A new video game console called the "Nintendo 64" has just been released. It is currently competing against the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Yaki Kadafi, Tiny Tim, Carl Sagan, and JonBenét Ramsey would all still be alive.

On TV, people are watching popular shows such as "Roseanne", "Baywatch", "Party of Five", and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys". Meanwhile, gamers are playing titles such as "FIFA Soccer 96", "Quake", "Fade to Black", and "Wipeout 2097". Kids and teenagers are watching TV shows such as "Art Attack", "Rugrats", "Bill Nye the Science Guy", and "Pinky and the Brain".

Popular toys at the moment include Polly Pocket, Fear Street books, Matchbox Car Wash, and the Tamagotchi.

News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on October 8, 1996.

  • Hey Arnold!

    Hey Arnold!

    In October 1996, a new cartoon series called "Hey Arnold!" debuted on Nickelodeon.
  • The campaign for the 1996 United States presidential election is underway.

    The campaign for the 1996 United States presidential election is underway

    The 1996 United States presidential election was heating up at this point, as incumbent Democratic Party President Bill Clinton went head-to-head against Republican challenger Bob Dole. Throughout the campaign, Clinton managed to maintain a consistent lead in the polls.
  • The Nintendo 64 is released.

    The Nintendo 64 is released

    The Nintendo 64 games console was released in North America on September 29th, 1996. For many kids (and adults), this was the go-to gift for Christmas 1996.
  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch.

    Sabrina the Teenage Witch

    At the end of September in 1996, a new sitcom called "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" premiered on ABC. The show followed the life of Sabrina Spellman - a high school student who learns that she is a witch with magical powers.
  • Macarena.

    Macarena

    A dance called the "Macarena" became a craze in the second half of 1996.
  • Kenan & Kel airs on Nickelodeon.

    Kenan & Kel airs on Nickelodeon

    In August 1996, a new sitcom called "Kenan & Kel" began to air on Nickelodeon. The show followed the "misadventures" of two friends who lived in Chicago, Illinois.
  • The Nokia 9000 Communicator.

    The Nokia 9000 Communicator

    The Nokia 9000 Communicator was released on April 15th, 1996. It was one of the first smartphones on the market. The phone had 8MB of memory and came equipped with a full QWERTY keyboard.
  • The Tamagotchi.

    The Tamagotchi

    Back in 1996, it seemed like everyone had a handheld digital pet called the Tamagotchi. The egg-shaped device contained a pixelated creature that the owner had to feed and play minigames with. It also left behind digital droppings that needed to be cleaned up on a regular basis.
  • 1996 in music.

    1996 in music

    Popular music artists in 1996 included Los del Río, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, 2Pac, LL Cool J, Soundgarden, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Alanis Morissette, Everything but the Girl, Joan Osborne, Mary J. Blige, SWV, Toni Braxton, Eric Clapton, Blackstreet, R. Kelly, Metallica and Van Halen.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1996?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1996?

    In 1996, the best NBA players were Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Penny Hardaway, Shawn Kemp, Grant Hill, Hakeem Olajuwon, Gary Payton, John Stockton, Charles Barkley, Juwan Howard, Shaquille O'Neal, Mitch Richmond and Reggie Miller.
  • David Ho.

    David Ho

    A scientist named David Ho was named Time Person of the Year in 1996 because of his pioneering contributions to HIV/AIDS research.
  • Gillian Anderson.

    Gillian Anderson

    The X-Files actress Gillian Anderson (Agent Scully) was named FHM's sexiest woman in 1996.
  • 1996 in movies.

    1996 in movies

    1996 saw the release of movies such as Independence Day, Twister, Mission: Impossible, The Rock, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 101 Dalmatians, Ransom, Eraser, The Nutty Professor, Jerry Maguire, Scream, The Cable Guy, Mars Attacks! and The Craft.
  • Best football players in 1996.

    Best football players in 1996

    In 1996, the best soccer players were Matthias Sammer, Ronaldo, Alan Shearer, Alessandro Del Piero, Jürgen Klinsmann, Davor Šuker, Eric Cantona, Marcel Desailly, Youri Djorkaeff, Karel Poborský and Nwankwo Kanu.
  • The English Patient.

    The English Patient

    "The English Patient" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1996.
  • Eric Clapton - "Change the World"

    Eric Clapton - "Change the World"

    The song "Change the World" by Eric Clapton went on to win a Grammy for 1996's Song of the Year.
  • Sony PlayStation.

    Sony PlayStation

    The Sony PlayStation (PS1) was released in September 1995. It was one of the best-selling video game consoles of the 1990s.
  • CDs have become the dominant music format.

    CDs have become the dominant music format

    By this stage, the CD had become the dominant music format. Consequently, sales of CD players and the "Discman" continued to increase. Meanwhile, people were beginning to replace their cassette players.
  • Mid-1990s fashion.

    Mid-1990s fashion

    During the mid-1990s, female clothing began to become more form-fitting as those badly-shaped "mom jeans" began to disappear. Grunge fashion started to decline, and popular outfits began to include tartan minikilts, hot pants, slip dresses, and knee-highs.
  • The Internet is growing.

    The Internet is growing

    A new global, interconnected network called the Internet was beginning to grow. However, it was still a novelty.
  • Kids are reading Goosebumps.

    Kids are reading Goosebumps

    Kids were reading Goosebumps, which was a series of children's horror books that were written by author R. L. Stine. The original series included books such as "Monster Blood", "Say Cheese and Die!" and "The Barking Ghost".
  • VCRs are common household items.

    VCRs are common household items

    Everyone was using VCRs to watch tapes of movies and TV shows. The device also gave people the ability to record programs and films onto a blank tape.
  • People are using pagers to communicate.

    People are using pagers to communicate

    Pagers achieved mainstream popularity during the 1990s. These small devices allowed the owner to receive messages. More often than not, the message was a short memo or a phone number that they were supposed to call back.
  • Wallpaper is beginning to go out of style.

    Wallpaper is beginning to go out of style

    By the 1990s, "modernism" was starting to heavily influence interior design trends. As a result, sales of wallpaper started to decline. Instead of using decorative wallpaper, people were beginning to opt for minimalist, painted walls.
  • The Scrunchie.

    The Scrunchie

    People are wearing an elastic hair tie called the "scrunchie".
  • The Game Boy.

    The Game Boy

    A hand-held game console called the "Game Boy" was all the rage. The console boasted games such as Super Mario Land, Tetris, Donkey Kong, Kirby's Dream Land, and a number of Pokémon releases.

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on October 8, 1996.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

Notable events that happened close to October 8, 1996.

  • September 8, 1996: The first episode of "Blue's Clues" is aired.
  • September 9, 1996: The mobile phone "Nokia 8110" is announced.
  • September 13, 1996:
    • The first episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond" is aired.
    • Rapper Tupac Shakur (2Pac) dies six days after being shot in Las Vegas.
  • September 15, 1996:
    • The song "Time to Say Goodbye" is released by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.
    • Serial killer Ottis Toole dies from liver cirrhosis in prison.
  • September 16, 1996: The first episode of reality court show "Judge Judy" is aired.
  • September 20, 1996: The game "The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall" is released.
  • September 22, 1996: Football: Arsene Wenger is unveiled as the new manager of Arsenal.
  • September 25, 1996: The last Magdalene asylum is closed in Waterford, Ireland.
  • September 27, 1996:
    • The first episode of "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch" is aired.
    • Former Afghanistan president Mohammad Najibullah is executed by the Taliban.
  • September 29, 1996:
    • The Nintendo 64 is released in North America.
    • Melanie Ethier (15) goes missing in New Liskeard, Canada.
  • September 30, 1996: The futuristic video game "Wipeout 2097" is released for the PlayStation 1.
  • October 7, 1996:
    • The animated cartoon series "Arthur" is broadcast for the first time.
    • The first episode of "Hey Arnold!" is aired.
    • Boy band NSYNC release their first single.
    • The Fox News Channel is launched by News Corporation.
  • This date: October 8, 1996
  • October 11, 1996:
    • The film Michael Collins (1996) is released.
    • Boxing: Floyd Mayweather wins in his professional debut against Roberto Apodaca.
  • October 14, 1996:
    • English girl group Spice Girls release their single "Say You'll Be There".
    • The Backstreet Boys release their single "Quit Playing Games (with My Heart)".
  • October 18, 1996: The movie Sleepers (1996) is released.
  • October 21, 1996: The song "Un-Break My Heart" is released by Toni Braxton.
  • October 25, 1996: Tomb Raider is released on the Sega Saturn.
  • October 31, 1996:
    • The game Command & Conquer: Red Alert is released for the PC and PlayStation.
    • Irish-speaking channel TnaG is launched.
  • November 1, 1996:
    • Stephon Marbury makes his NBA debut.
    • The video game "Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain" is released on the PlayStation.
  • November 3, 1996: Kobe Bryant makes his NBA debut at the age of 18.
  • November 4, 1996: Wrestler "The Rock" makes his WWF debut.
  • November 5, 1996:
    • 2Pac's album "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" is released two months after his murder in Las Vegas.
    • US President Bill Clinton is re-elected to the White House after defeating Republican candidate Bob Dole.
  • November 7, 1996: 144 people are killed after ADC Airlines Flight 086 crashes into a lagoon in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on October 8, 1996, will have the star sign Libra.
  • Zodiac Element: Air.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1996 was the year of the Rat (Yang Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 7.
  • Native American Zodiac: October 8, 1996 falls under the Raven.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of October will have the birthstones Tourmaline and Opal.
  • Birth flower (October): The Marigold and the Cosmos.

Mid-1990s fashion

Photographs of mid-1990s fashion and hairstyles.

Mid-1990s fashion

Television shows

TV shows in 1996

The following TV shows were popular in October 1996:

TV shows from October 1996.

Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond
7th Heaven
7th Heaven
3rd Rock from the Sun
3rd Rock from the Sun
JAG
JAG
Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess
Father Ted
Father Ted
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Friends
Friends
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel
ER
ER
Party of Five
Party of Five

Cars in 1996

1996 saw the introduction of cars such as the Citroën Saxo, the Cadillac Catera, the Audi A3, the Honda Logo, the Volvo S70, and the Pontiac Montana.

Cars in 1996.

Children TV shows

Kids TV shows on October 8, 1996

Cartoons and TV shows that children and teenagers were watching on this day in 1996:

Hey Arnold!
Hey Arnold!
Arthur
Arthur
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina the Teenage Witch

Bruno the Kid
Bruno the Kid
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Clueless
Clueless
Richie Rich
Richie Rich
Blue's Clues
Blue's Clues
Superman: The Animated Series
Superman: The Animated Series
7th Heaven
7th Heaven
Kenan & Kel
Kenan & Kel
Toys

Popular toys and games in 1996

Toys and games that were popular in 1996:

Bop It
Bop It
Car City Carpet
Car City Carpet
The Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64
Tickle Me Elmo
Tickle Me Elmo
The Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi
12" talking Buzz Lightyear Action Figure
12" talking Buzz Lightyear Action Figure
Tyco Rebound RC Car
Tyco Rebound RC Car
Street Sharks Action Figures
Street Sharks Action Figures
The PlayStation (PS1)
The PlayStation (PS1)
The Sega Saturn
The Sega Saturn
Styrofoam plane gliders
Styrofoam plane gliders
Sky Dancers
Sky Dancers
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in October 1996.

Wipeout 2097 1996
Wipeout 2097
Super Mario 64 1996
Super Mario 64
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall 1996
The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall
Crash Bandicoot 1996
Crash Bandicoot
Nights into Dreams 1996
Nights into Dreams
Die Hard Trilogy 1996
Die Hard Trilogy
Fade to Black 1996
Fade to Black
Quake 1996
Quake
Ridge Racer Revolution 1996
Ridge Racer Revolution
Resident Evil 1996
Resident Evil
Alien Trilogy 1996
Alien Trilogy
Duke Nukem 3D 1996
Duke Nukem 3D

Were you born on October 8, 1996?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1996.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out October 8, 2002, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on October 8.

Jesse Jackson

Jesse Jackson

Activist
Born on October 8, 1941
He turned 55 on this day in 1996.

R. L. Stine

R. L. Stine

Author
Born on October 8, 1943
He turned 53 on this day in 1996.

Chevy Chase

Chevy Chase

Actor
Born on October 8, 1943
He turned 53 on this day in 1996.

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver

Actress
Born on October 8, 1949
She turned 47 on this day in 1996.

Karyn Parsons

Karyn Parsons

Actress
Born on October 8, 1966
She turned 30 on this day in 1996.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon

Actor
Born on October 8, 1970
He turned 26 on this day in 1996.

Nick Cannon

Nick Cannon

Actor
Born on October 8, 1980
He turned 16 on this day in 1996.

Bruno Mars

Bruno Mars

Singer
Born on October 8, 1985
He turned 11 on this day in 1996.

Angus T. Jones

Angus T. Jones

Actor
Born on October 8, 1993
He turned 3 on this day in 1996.

Barbara Palvin

Barbara Palvin

Hungarian model
Born on October 8, 1993
She turned 3 on this day in 1996.

Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne

Actress
Born on October 8, 1997
She was born exactly one year after this date.

USA

US President

Bill Clinton was the President of the United States on October 8, 1996.

UK

UK Prime Minister

John Major was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

John Bruton was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on October 8, 1996 was most likely conceived around January 16, 1996.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on October 8, 1996 is close to July 1, 1997.

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Stats for October 8, 1996

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about October 8, 1996:

  • 10,055 days have passed since this date.
  • 1,436 weeks have passed.
  • 868,752,000 seconds have passed since October 8, 1996.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,013,544,000 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 448,276,032,000 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 144,792,000 times.
  • You have taken approximately 74,712,672 steps. That's roughly 33,206 miles.
  • 10,425,024 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1996?

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