In "This Month in YesterYear History," we look back at the big pop culture moments from
20 (2006), 25 (2001), 30 (1996), and 35 (1991) years ago!
Below, you'll find a little time capsule of what was significant during this month in history. Hopefully, as you read these brief recaps of the past, you'll remember the who, when, and where of some long-tucked-away memories! That's the whole point of this site!
POINTS OF REFERENCE
2006:
On June 3rd, Serbia and Montenegro split as Montenegro declared its independence. British Parliament shuts down temporarily on the 7th due to an Anthrax scare. Jockey Fernando Jara rides Jazil to victory at the 138th Belmont Stakes on the 10th. On the 11th, "Jersey Boys," the hit Broadway show about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, wins the Tony Award for Best Musical. On the 14th, Ringo Starr's ninth All-Starr Band debuts, including Billy Squier, Richard Marx, Edgar Winter, and Sheila E. On the 17th, Anne McCaffrey, author of the sci-fi novel series "The Dragonriders of Pern," was inducted into the Sci-Fi Hall of Fame. On the 19th, the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Edmonton Oilers four games to three to win the Stanley Cup Championship. On the 20th, the Miami Heat won their first franchise title by defeating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 6. On the 21st, scientists discovered two new moons on the dwarf planet Pluto and named them Nix and Hydra. On the 22nd, "The Devil Wears Prada" starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway premieres. On the 24th, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" premieres and becomes the fastest film to gross over $1 billion. The US Supreme Court ruled that President George W. Bush's plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violates US and international law on the 29th. On the 30th, Cirque du Soleil's "The Beatles - LOVE" opens in a specially built theatre at The Mirage Casino in Las Vegas.
2001:
On the 1st, a Hamas suicide bomber kills 21 at a nightclub in Tel Aviv, later known as the Dolphinarium Massacre. Matthew Broderick and "The Producers" win top awards at The Tonys on the 3rd. "6 Feet Under," the TV drama on HBO, premieres on June 3rd. On the 5th, OPEC ministers agreed to leave the cartel's oil production quotas unchanged for at least a month, until a scheduled emergency meeting on July 3. On the 5th, Tropical Storm Allison made landfall along the upper Texas coast as a strong tropical storm and dumped heavy rain over Houston, causing $5.5 billion in damage. It was the costliest tropical storm in US history, up to that point. Also that day, US Senator from Vermont, Jim Jeffords, leaves the Republican Party, an act which shifts control of the United States Senate from the Republicans to the Democratic Party. On the 7th, Tony Blair's "Labour Party" wins a landslide victory in the UK General Election. Hockey all-star Ray Bourque plays his final game on June 9th, winning the elusive Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche over the New Jersey Devils. Bourque played for the Boston Bruins for over 20 years (since 1979) before being traded to Colorado in his final season, hoping to win a Stanley Cup. Point Given, and jockey Gary Stevens, wins the Belmont Stakes on June 9th. On the 10th, Pope John Paul II canonized the first female Saint from Lebanon, Saint Rafqa. On the 14th, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan formed the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. On the 15th, the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 100-86 in Game 5 to win back-to-back titles. Shaquille O'Neal is named the MVP for the second year in a row. On the 18th, "The Fast and the Furious," starring Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, debuts in theaters. On the 29th, "A.I. Artificial Intelligence," directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, and Frances O'Connor, is released in theaters. Also on the 29th, Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci became a naturalized citizen at an Oklahoma City federal courthouse.
1996:
On the 1st, Woody Harrelson is arrested in Lee County, Kentucky, after he symbolically planted four hemp seeds to challenge the state law, which did not distinguish between industrial hemp and marijuana. Also on the 1st, SONY announces it will not renew its lease on the Times Square megatron. On the 7th, Julia and Noah are married on "All My Children." Editor's Note wins the Belmont Stakes on June 8th. Also on the 8th, Coventry, England, revives the legendary procession of a naked Lady Godiva riding through town. Alan Jackson wins the 30th Music City Awards on the 10th. Also on the 10th, Intel released its then-groundbreaking 200 MHz Pentium chip. Despite the thousands of plastic rats thrown on the ice by Panther fans (in response to player Scott Mellanby killing a rat in the locker room with his stick), the Colorado Avalanche swept the Stanley Cup Finals, winning on the 10th in Florida. On the 11th, "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," the hit talk show of the 90s, premieres in syndication. Bob Dole, the Senator from Kansas, resigned in order to run for President. On the 12th, Cincinnati Reds CEO Marge Schott gave up day-to-day operations of the team due to offensive comments made during private conversations that were made public. On the 13th, the Montana Freemen surrendered after an 81-day standoff with FBI agents. Jim Carey's "The Cable Guy" was released on the 14th. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle Supersonics in the 50th annual NBA Championship series, winning their 4th title in 6 years. On the 18th, Ted Kaczynski is indicted on 10 criminal counts as "The Uni-Bomber." On the 20th, Space Shuttle Columbia was launched into space. On the 22nd, Michael Moore defeated Axel Schulz in 11 rounds to win the IBF Heavyweight boxing title. On the 23rd, the Nintendo 64 goes on sale in Japan.
1991:
On the 3rd, Thomas Hearns captured the WBA Light Heavyweight Title. Pope John Paul II compares abortion to Nazi murders on June 4th. On the 5th, Mikhail Gorbachev received the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize. Dana Plato, the child actor from Diff'rent Strokes, was given a 6-year sentence for armed robbery of a video store on the 6th. On that same day, NBC announces Jay Leno will officially succeed Johnny Carson as the host of The Tonight Show a year later, in May 1992. On the 7th, Mount Pinatubo erupts for the 1st time in the Philippines. Jerry Bailey rides Hansel to victory at the Belmont Stakes on the 8th. Former NY Jet Mark Gastineau wins his first pro boxing fight in just 12 seconds on the 9th. A victory parade following the Gulf War is held in Washington, D.C. on the 9th. The final episode of "Twin Peaks" airs on ABC on the 10th. Also on the 10th, New York welcomes home troops from Operation Desert Storm with "The Mother of All Parades." Also, that same day, Major League Baseball announced that South Florida and Denver had been chosen as sites for new franchises debuting in 1993 (the Marlins and Rockies, respectively). On the 11th, Microsoft releases DOS 5.0. Also on the 11th, Natalie Cole releases "Unforgettable... with Love" with a "groundbreaking" virtual duet with her late father, Nat King Cole. It won 6 Grammys and Billboard's Album of the Year in 1992. On the 12th, Boris Yeltsin won Russia's first Presidential Election with 57% of the vote. On the 12th, the Chicago Bulls beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-101 in Game 5 for Chicago's first of 3 straight titles. Michael Jordan was named MVP in his first Finals appearance. On the 13th, a spectator is killed by lightning at the US Open golf tournament. The 13th was a Thursday this year, not a Friday... On the 14th, the NHL team owners present a contract to the players' union, which eventually leads to the April 1, 1992, players' strike. Also on the 14th, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, debuts in theaters. On the 16th, the Minnesota Twins won a team record 16 games in a row. On the 17th, the body of former US President Zachary Taylor was exhumed following rumors since he died in 1850 that he died of poisoning. There was no such result found... or admitted to. Bryan Adams released the Billboard Song of the Year, "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You," on the 18th. Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar surrenders to police on the 19th. On the 19th, two of Mia Farrow's daughters are arrested for shoplifting lingerie. A pair of New York Islanders, Denis Potvin and Mike Bossy, are elected to the NHL Hall of Fame on June 21st. On the 22nd, NHL legend Eric Lindros was the first round draft pick of the Quebec Nordiques. On the 24th, the NHL adopts "instant replay" and a "tenth-of-second" clock. On June 27th, Susan Lucci loses at the Emmys... for the 12th time in a row. A 6.0 earthquake hits Southern California on the 29th.
TOP MOVIES
2006: "Cars" -
Released on June 9, 2006, Cars is a computer-animated sports comedy produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures (under Buena Vista). Directed by John Lasseter, who co-wrote the screenplay, the film follows hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson).
Stranded in the forgotten desert town of Radiator Springs on Route 66 after a detour, McQueen learns lessons about friendship, humility, and slowing down from quirky locals like Mater the tow truck (Larry the Cable Guy), Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt), and Doc Hudson (Paul Newman in his final film role). The ensemble voice cast includes Tony Shalhoub as Luigi, Cheech Marin as Ramone, Michael Keaton as Chick Hicks, George Carlin as Fillmore, and John Ratzenberger in his traditional Pixar cameo.
With a $120 million budget, the film pioneered the use of advanced ray tracing to achieve realistic car reflections and chrome. It premiered on May 26, 2006, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
Critics gave Cars generally positive, though not universal, acclaim, with a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many praised its stunning visuals, charming characters, and nostalgic Route 66 tribute, though some noted a thinner story and slower pace compared to Pixar's earlier hits like Finding Nemo or The Incredibles. Roger Ebert called it "great to look at and a lot of fun," but lacking that extra Pixar magic. Audiences were more enthusiastic, as it became a major commercial success, grossing $244 million domestically and approximately $462 million worldwide, ranking as the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2006 and the highest-grossing animated film in the US that year.
Many characters were modeled on real vehicles (e.g., Mater as a 1955 Chevrolet tow truck), and the town drew inspiration from real Route 66 stops. Lightning McQueen's number 95 nods to Toy Story's 1995 release year. The film has several Pixar Easter eggs, including the Pizza Planet (Toy Story) truck. It was the last Pixar film released on VHS and the first on Blu-ray. The film franchise has had several sequels and offshoots, and the merchandising has been a boon for Disney.
2001: "Shrek" -
Released on May 18, 2001, Shrek is a groundbreaking computer-animated fantasy comedy produced by DreamWorks Animation and released by DreamWorks Pictures. The film stars Mike Myers as the grumpy ogre Shrek, Eddie Murphy as the talkative Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, and John Lithgow as the villainous Lord Farquaad. With a $60 million budget, it revolutionized animation with its expressive character designs, groundbreaking use of motion capture for facial expressions, and a pop-culture-laden soundtrack featuring Smash Mouth’s “All Star,” Joan Jett, and more.
Critics embraced Shrek with strong acclaim, currently with an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers praised its irreverent humor, fairy-tale subversion, sharp adult-oriented jokes balanced with family-friendly appeal, and groundbreaking animation. It won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and earned a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Commercially, it was a massive hit, grossing about $268.7 million domestically and over $492 million worldwide, becoming the fourth-highest-grossing film of 2001 and launching one of animation’s most successful franchises.
Production was turbulent. Chris Farley was originally cast as Shrek and recorded most of his lines before his tragic death in 1997. Mike Myers initially recorded in a Canadian accent but insisted on re-recording everything in a Scottish brogue inspired by his parents, forcing costly re-animation (reportedly adding millions to the budget). Many lines were ad-libbed by Myers and Murphy. The film is packed with pop-culture references, Disney jabs (e.g., Farquaad’s castle resembling Disneyland), and cameos like the “Ogre Hunters” scene.
1996: "The Rock" -
The Rock, released on June 7, 1996, is a high-octane action thriller directed by Michael Bay. Produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer under their namesake banner and Hollywood Pictures (distributed by Buena Vista Pictures, a Disney label), the film stars Sean Connery as John Patrick Mason, a former SAS operative and the only man to ever escape Alcatraz; Nicolas Cage as Dr. Stanley Goodspeed, a quirky FBI chemical weapons expert; and Ed Harris as Brigadier General Francis Hummel, a rogue Marine general who seizes Alcatraz with his team, holding hostages and threatening San Francisco with VX gas rockets unless the government pays reparations for fallen soldiers.
With a $75 million budget, the film was shot extensively on location at Alcatraz Island (with tourists accommodated during production) and in San Francisco, featuring explosive set pieces, a car chase through the city, and practical effects for the chemical-weapons sequences.
Critics gave The Rock generally positive reviews, praising its visceral thrills, star chemistry, and Bay’s kinetic direction while noting its formulaic plot. It holds a 66-74% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Roger Ebert called it a “first-rate, slam-bang action thriller” with style and humor. Audiences loved it, and at the box office it was a major hit, opening with $25 million and grossing $134.1 million domestically and $335.6 million worldwide, making it one of the top films of 1996 (the 4th-highest-grossing globally). It earned an Oscar nomination for Best Sound.
The Rock debuted on VHS and LaserDisc in late 1996/early 1997. It received a celebrated Criterion Collection DVD in the early 2000s with extensive extras, followed by a standard DVD reissue. The Blu-ray arrived around 2008 with strong video and audio quality, and various special editions have followed. A 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release has been available in recent years.
1991: "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" -
This swashbuckling action adventure film, released on June 14, 1991, was directed by Kevin Reynolds. Produced by Morgan Creek Productions and distributed by Warner Bros., the movie stars Kevin Costner as Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood), who returns from the Crusades to find his father murdered and England under the tyrannical rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham.
He assembles a band of outlaws in Sherwood Forest, aided by the Moorish warrior Azeem (Morgan Freeman), while romancing Maid Marian (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) and clashing with the Sheriff (Alan Rickman). The film also includes a memorable uncredited cameo by Sean Connery as King Richard at the end.
With a $60 million budget, the film was shot primarily in the UK, featuring grand sets, practical stunts, and an epic musical score. Bryan Adams’ chart-topping power ballad “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” became a cultural touchstone and a massive hit.
Critics offered mixed reviews, praising the production values, Rickman’s scene-stealing villainy, and Freeman’s charismatic performance, but often criticizing Costner’s wooden delivery and American accent in a medieval English setting. It holds a 54% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with stronger audience scores. Roger Ebert called it “murky, unfocused, violent, and depressing,” while others appreciated its fun, larger-than-life energy. At the box office, it was a major financial success, opening to $25.6 million and grossing $165.5 million domestically and $390.5 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1991.
It debuted on VHS and LaserDisc in early 1992. A popular two-disc “Extended Edition” DVD was released in 2003, featuring 12 extra minutes (mostly Rickman scenes). Blu-ray followed, and in 2026, Arrow Video released a deluxe Limited Edition 4K UHD featuring both theatrical and extended cuts in Dolby Vision, along with extensive bonus features.
TOP SONGS
2006: "Hips Don't Lie" by Shakira
2001: "Lady Marmalade" by Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim, Mya, and Pink
1996: "Tha Crossroads" by Bone Thugs n Harmony
1991: "Rush Rush" by Paula Abdul
TOP TELEVISION NEWS
June 2006:
5th: Young adult drama "Everwood" comes to an end after four years on The CW.
6th: The reality show, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, debuted on Oxygen.
9th: Richard Karn hosts his final episode of Family Feud. He would be replaced by John O'Hurley months later, on September 11, 2006.
11th: Lucky Louie, the HBO series starring Louis C.K., debuted on HBO.
11th: WWE's C-level show "Velocity" is moved off TV and briefly webcast on WWE.com before being forgotten altogether.
12th: The drama Saved debuted on TNT.
12th: Reality/competition series Monster Garage ends on the Discovery Channel after 4 seasons.
13th: The infamous WWE-produced "ECW" series (affectionately called WWE-CW) debuted on Sci-Fi.
21st: British-turned American game show "America's Got Talent" debuts on NBC.
28th: After 19 years, Charles Gibson hosted his final Good Morning America show.
June 2001:
2nd: TNT is refocused as a drama-based cable channel. This new "upscale" format comes with new graphics and a slogan, "We Know Drama."
3rd: Adult drama Six Feet Under debuts on HBO.
3rd: Baby Looney Tunes debuts on Kids' WB.
5th: "Kristin," the Kristin Chenoweth vehicle on NBC. This sitcom lasted less than 6 episodes and was pulled from the schedule just over a month later.
7th: Zooboomafo, a kids' show featuring brothers Chris and Martin Kratt on PBS since 1999, comes to an end. I had never heard of this show until a month or so ago, when it was brought up recently in my social media algorithm for something, but I have been unable to locate the article or remember why.
11th: Fear Factor, starring Joe Rogan, debuts on NBC.
18th: Luke and Laura, the soap opera pairing widely regarded as generating the term "supercouple," sign divorce papers on ABC's General Hospital, dissolving their fictional two-decade marriage.
18th: Xena: Warrior Princess, the classic 90s mythological series starring Lucy Lawless, airs its final episode in syndication. It has been on air since 1995.
19th: The first BET Awards is broadcast.
19th: "Go Fish," the Kieran Culkin sitcom, debuted on NBC. It lasted five episodes.
20th: "Primetime Glick," starring the Martin Short character Jiminy Glick, debuted on Comedy Central.
21st: The original (and best) version of WWE's Tough Enough reality competition debuts on MTV.
June 1996:
1st: Major League Baseball debuts on FOX.
3. Zenith (remember that brand?) introduces the first HDTV-compatible front projection television in the United States.
9th: seaQuest DSV comes to an end after four seasons. I always wanted to like seaQuest but could never sit through an episode.
10th: The Rosie O'Donnell talk show debuts in syndication.
10th: "A Wedding Story," a reality show in which couples "tell unrehearsed stories about their courtship and romance," debuts on TLC. It would run until 2005.
23rd: At the WWF's King of the Ring Pay Per View, Stone Cold Steve Austin wins the King of the Ring tournament by defeating Jake Roberts. After the match, Austin makes a certain victory speech, which famously kicks off the "Austin 3:16" catchphrase.
26th: "Picket Fences" ends its four-season run. I have always heard of the show, but knew nothing about it. I always thought it was a sitcom, but when I checked, I was very wrong.
The Wikipedia description is pretty wild: The series follows the lives of the residents of the small town of Rome, Wisconsin, where weird things happen, including cows' udders exploding and people turning up dead in freezers. The show dealt with unusual topics for the primetime television of the period, such as abortion, incest, homophobia, and LGBT adoption, transsexuality, racism, belief in God, ethics in medicine, polygamy, polyamory, adolescent sexuality, date rape, cryonics, the Holocaust, shoe fetishism, masturbation, animal sacrifice, spontaneous human combustion, and constitutional rights. Illustrative of the subject matter is that the regular cast included a judge, two lawyers, and a medical examiner. Religious issues were frequently discussed, and the town's Catholic and Episcopal priests were frequently recurring characters.
To quote Johnny Carson: "I did not know that... that is weird, wild stuff."
June 1991:
1st: After merging with Ha! and the Comedy Channel, The Comedy Network becomes Comedy Central. The Comedy Network had been using the CTV moniker, and to avoid confusion with the Canadian Broadcaster CTV, they changed their name.
June 2nd: NBC begins broadcasting the NBA Finals for the first time, after the series had aired on CBS for the previous 18 years. This was Michael Jordan's first Finals appearance, Magic Johnson's last, and the Lakers' last NBA Finals appearance until 2000. For basketball fans, this series also marked the end of the Lakers' "Showtime" era and the beginning of the Chicago Bulls dynasty.
3rd: The Australian soap opera "Neighbors" makes its American debut on KCOP-TV in Los Angeles. Two weeks later, it debuts on WWOR in New York.
10th: Twin Peaks, a surreal mystery/horror drama, ends after two seasons on ABC. It returned on Shwotime for a third season in 2017.
19th: "The Man in the Family," a short-lived sitcom (6 episodes), debuted on ABC, starring Ray Sharkey and a very young Leah Remini.
25th: The sitcom "Head of the Class," which ran for five seasons starting in 1986, airs its 114th and final episode on ABC. The show followed a group of gifted students at a fictional high school in Manhattan.
.png)
Comments