late1990s

Late 1990s refers to the final years of the decade, roughly 1997 through 1999. It was a period of rapid technological change, especially the expansion of the internet and digital communication, alongside ongoing globalization and shifts in business, culture, and politics. The era helped shape the transition to the 2000s.

Technology and economy: The internet became widespread in homes and workplaces; search engines and portals emerged, with Google founded in 1998. E-commerce grew rapidly, digital media matured, and new devices and formats began to transform commerce and entertainment. Windows 98 was released in 1998, and digital video formats gained prominence. Napster launched in 1999, popularizing peer-to-peer file sharing and foreshadowing later streaming and on-demand media.

Global events: The 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis highlighted the interconnectedness of global markets. In Europe, the euro was established as a monetary concept in 1999, setting the stage for a common currency. NATO conducted actions in the Balkans in 1999 during the Kosovo War, underscoring post–Cold War security dynamics.

Culture and society: The era produced landmark films such as Titanic (1997) and The Matrix (1999); pop and teen music thrived amid a growing online culture. The period also carried concerns about privacy, the Y2K bug, and the coming digital era, even as optimism about technology’s potential rose.

Legacy: The late 1990s ended with the dot-com bubble and a transition into the 2000s, marked by renewed investment in technology and the maturation of the internet as a global infrastructure.