14 Reasons 1996 Was The Greatest Year Of All Time

It took 17 years of research, but scientists have now confirmed its greatness.

1. The UK blessed/cursed/blessed our ears with "Wannabe"

Whether you loved them or pretended you didn't but secretly sang "Say You'll Be There" in the shower, the dose of girl power served up by The Spice Girls debut album "Spice" was a part of your life in 1996.

2. Boy Meets World's "The Happiest Show On Earth" episode happened

Remember that one Friday you watched Cory and Shawn go to Disney World to track down Topanga because she had won some kind of weird essay contest that let her visit dolphins or something? You don't? Well I was six and I remember it so I don't know where you were, but it was epic and awesome.

Speaking of Friday nights...

3. TGIF was in its heyday

8:00 - Family Matters

8:30 - Boy Meets World

9:00 - Sabrina The Teenage Witch

9:30 - Step by Step

The lineup changed slightly over the year (mostly for the short-lived Clueless TV spinoff), but there's no denying the general fantasticness of that lineup.

4. This little rascal was re-elected

Bob Dole says "Not cool, guys."

5. Attack of the Clones!

Just kidding! That monstrosity of a film didn't premiere until 2002, but the world's first sheep clone, Dolly, was born in 1996! Dolly kept on kicking (or whatever sheep do) for six more years until passing away from a progressive lung disease. Science!

6. A few movies came out...

(If you're into that kind of thing)

Need I go on?

7. The first rule of Fight Club was...

Chuck Palahniuk's 1996 novel is a brilliant work, and the 1999 film version of it isn't so bad either. Of course a movie about hanging wallpaper would be interesting if Edward Norton and Brad Pitt starred in it.

8. Tickle Me Elmo drove parents insane

Hey Kids! Do you want a toy that will teach you how to tickle and thereby make you the least popular kid on the playground because tickling is basically the legal version of waterboarding? Well you're in luck because your parents are about to lose their s*** trying to find you this tiny red doll for Christmas! Happy 1996!

9. Everybody had a butler!

Remember when the internet gave you the power to ask a smarmy butler any question that popped into your mind? Remember how he insisted you type your search in the form of a question (i.e. "Why must I search with a question, Jeeves?"). Unfortunately in 1998 Google arrived and essentially sent Jeeves to the bread line, but in '96 he was the ONLY know-it-all butler to go to when you had a book report due.

10. It was the year that gave us "Everybody Loves Raymond"

Please, act like you don't love this show. I dare you.

11. and "Hey Arnold!"

Classic.

12. and even Judge Judy!

Who says litigious argument can't be sassy?

13. Tragically, this was the year Tupac died...

(Unless you believe he's on an island somewhere)

14. But also the year that the Backstreet Boys released their debut album!

(Anyone who was a fan of #13 is almost certainly ashamed of #14)

Clearly 1996 was the greatest year in human history,

Via ilovefreeconcerts.com

but to those who prefer 1997 I say...

Via blogs.babble.com

NOT LISTENING