On September 26, 1991, four men and four women embarked on an unprecedented mission in the Arizona desert. In one of the most exciting and controversial experiments of the 20th century, they created a mini version of earth under a glass and metal structure and planned to live inside it for 2 years. On this episode of History of the 90s we look at how the privately funded project called Biosphere 2 went from a media darling to what scientists called a colossal failure. Guest Info: Dr. Mark Nelson, ecologist, author and biospherian. www.marknelsonbiospherian.com Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 1991, a media circus descended on the normally quiet New Hampshire town of Exeter to witness a trial that some journalists were calling the sex, lies and murder case. The trial, which saw a young woman accused in the murder of her husband, was the first ever to be covered gavel to gavel live on US television. It was a landmark moment for cameras and the criminal justice system and marked the beginning of the true crime media obsession we know today. On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at the sensational murder trial of Pamela Smart and find out what has happened since the cameras went away. Guest info: Dr. Eleanor Pam, Professor Emerita at the City University of New York and President of Veteran Feminists of America www.pamelasmart.org Show contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been 30 years since the deadly stand-off in Waco, Texas that killed 75 people, including 25 children. Among the dead was David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Davidians, one of several Doomsday cults that made news at the end of the 20th century. On this episode of History of the 90s, first broadcast in May 2020 as part of a series on Doomsday cults we look back at what happened in Waco and why. Contact: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Guest: Dick Reavis, author of The Ashes of Waco: An Investigation. https://www.texasmonthly.com/author/dick-reavis/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In March 1997 the Cartoon Network in the United States introduced a block of programming unlike anything ever seen before on a kids channel. From 4pm to 7pm each weekday young viewers could enjoy three hours of animated action shows from Japan. When Toonami put anime on TV in the prime after-school timeslot, it was the evolution of a slow steady climb that saw anime grow from an underground hobby in North America to a massive multi-million dollar industry with fans of all ages. On this episode of History of the 90s, host Kathy Kenzora looks back at a Golden Age of Anime. Guest info: Ada Palmer, a historian, author of science fiction and fantasy who teaches in the History Department at the University of Chicago. Host of the podcast: Ex Urbe Ad Astra Show Contact Info: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a relationship comes to an end it can be hard for anyone, but when you factor in millions of dollars, pre-nups, and accusations of infidelity things can get down and dirty. In the 1990s news of several high profile break-ups dominated tabloid and mainstream media with juicy details and shocking allegations. On this episode of History of the 90s we look back at some of the messiest breakups of the decade. SHOW CONTACT: Twitter: @1990shistory Facebook: @1990shistory Instagram: @that90spodcast Email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices