Here are all the Canadian trends and events that appear in Nostalgia Diary, year by year — what kids and teens across Canada lived through, from CBC and YTV favourites to hockey, the Olympics and the loonie. Each year is the calendar year (January–December) when it happened. In the game, it shows up in the grade that starts in September of that year.
For each year, we picked items from four categories: "Toys, Games & Cartoons," "Music, TV & Movies," "Fashion & Fads," and "Events." We favoured things that were big in Canada in particular, along with North American hits that were just as huge here, using Canadian release dates, premiere dates and other records — but what felt big depends on which province you grew up in and how old you were. If you spot a mistake, please let us know through the contact form.
Product names, titles, and organization names are trademarks or works of their respective owners. This site mentions them only to describe what was popular each year and is not affiliated with any of them.
1970s
1970
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMr. Dressup, with Casey and Finnegan, was a weekday favourite on CBC
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Friendly Giant told kids to "look up, way up" on CBC
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Guess Who's "American Woman" went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsBell-bottoms and tie-dye shirts were everywhere
- EventsThe Vancouver Canucks played their first NHL season
1971
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPolka Dot Door premiered on TVOntario
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWeebles came out — they wobble but they don't fall down
- Music, TV & MoviesJoni Mitchell released her album Blue
- Fashion & FadsHot pants became the hottest fashion of the year
- EventsOntario Place opened on Toronto's waterfront, with the Cinesphere
1972
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAtari's Pong showed up in arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Beachcombers premiered on CBC
- Fashion & FadsPlatform shoes were the height of fashion
- EventsPaul Henderson's goal won the Summit Series against the Soviet Union
1973
- Toys, Games & CartoonsShrinky Dinks came out — colour it, bake it, watch it shrink
- Music, TV & MoviesAnne Murray's "Danny's Song" was all over the radio
- Fashion & FadsBruce Lee's Enter the Dragon started a kung fu craze
- EventsThe Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup
1974
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle was the toy every kid wanted
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Six Million Dollar Man premiered
- Music, TV & MoviesBachman–Turner Overdrive's "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" hit No. 1
- Fashion & FadsStreaking became the wildest fad of the year
- EventsThe Toronto Zoo opened in Scarborough
1975
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Pet Rock was the joke gift of the Christmas season
- Music, TV & MoviesSaturday Night Live premiered, created by Canadian Lorne Michaels
- Fashion & FadsMood rings that changed colour were everywhere
- EventsWeather forecasts switched to degrees Celsius
1976
- Toys, Games & CartoonsStretch Armstrong, the stretchy action figure, came out
- Music, TV & MoviesRush released the album 2112
- Fashion & FadsFarrah Fawcett's feathered hair was the look everyone wanted
- EventsMontreal hosted the Summer Olympics
- EventsThe CN Tower opened in Toronto
1977
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Atari Video Computer System (Atari 2600) came out
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsAnnie Hall made ties and vests a fashion statement
- EventsThe Toronto Blue Jays played their first game, in the snow
1978
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSimon, the light-up memory game, came out
- Music, TV & MoviesAnne Murray's "You Needed Me" hit No. 1
- Fashion & FadsDisco fever: white suits, platform shoes and dance floors
- EventsEdmonton hosted the Commonwealth Games
1979
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAtari's Asteroids took over the arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesThe first Degrassi story, "Ida Makes a Movie," aired on CBC
- Fashion & FadsRoller disco had everyone skating to music
- EventsWayne Gretzky played his first NHL season with the Edmonton Oilers
1980s
1980
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Rubik's Cube arrived and everyone tried to solve it
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPac-Man came to the arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Empire Strikes Back opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsThe preppy look — polo shirts and khakis — was in
- EventsTerry Fox ran his Marathon of Hope across Canada
- Events"O Canada" officially became the national anthem
1981
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Smurfs cartoon premiered on Saturday mornings
- Music, TV & MoviesRush released Moving Pictures, with "Tom Sawyer"
- Music, TV & MoviesRaiders of the Lost Ark opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsLady Diana's wedding made her short, feathered haircut a hit
- EventsThe first Terry Fox Run was held across Canada
1982
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMs. Pac-Man came to the arcades
- Music, TV & MoviesE.T. the Extra-Terrestrial opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsLeg warmers and aerobics workouts were everywhere
- EventsCanada's Constitution came home, with the new Charter of Rights and Freedoms
1983
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCabbage Patch Kids sold out everywhere at Christmas
- Music, TV & MoviesFraggle Rock premiered on CBC
- Music, TV & MoviesReturn of the Jedi opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsFlashdance made off-the-shoulder sweatshirts a hit
- EventsEdmonton hosted the World University Games
1984
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTransformers toys came out — robots in disguise
- Music, TV & MoviesMuchMusic went on the air
- Music, TV & MoviesGhostbusters was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsMadonna's lace and rubber bracelets were copied everywhere
- EventsMarc Garneau became the first Canadian in space
1985
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Care Bears Movie, made by Toronto's Nelvana, came out
- Music, TV & MoviesCanadian stars sang "Tears Are Not Enough" for famine relief
- Music, TV & MoviesBack to the Future, starring Canadian Michael J. Fox, was a hit
- Fashion & FadsThe Miami Vice look — T-shirts under pastel blazers
- EventsRick Hansen set off from Vancouver on his Man in Motion World Tour
1986
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Mario Bros. arrived
- Music, TV & MoviesGlass Tiger's "Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone)" was a big hit
- Music, TV & MoviesTop Gun was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsAcid-wash jeans were the jeans to have
- EventsExpo 86, the world's fair, was held in Vancouver
1987
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Legend of Zelda came out in its gold cartridge
- Music, TV & MoviesDegrassi Junior High premiered on CBC
- Music, TV & MoviesDirty Dancing was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsBig shoulder pads and big hair were in
- EventsThe loonie, Canada's one-dollar coin, came out
1988
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles action figures were everywhere
- Music, TV & MoviesYTV, a TV channel just for kids and youth, went on the air
- Fashion & FadsNeon colours were on everything from windbreakers to shoelaces
- EventsCalgary hosted the Winter Olympics
- EventsWayne Gretzky was traded from Edmonton to Los Angeles
1989
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNintendo's Game Boy came out with Tetris
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Simpsons premiered
- Fashion & FadsNew Kids on the Block shirts and buttons were everywhere
- EventsSkyDome, with its retractable roof, opened in Toronto
1990s
1990
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSuper Mario Bros. 3 came out
- Music, TV & MoviesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hit the big screen
- Music, TV & MoviesHome Alone was the hit movie of the holidays
- Fashion & FadsHammer pants were on every dance floor
- EventsCanada won the first Women's World Hockey Championship in Ottawa
1991
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Super Nintendo came out
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSonic the Hedgehog raced onto the Sega Genesis
- Music, TV & MoviesBryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" topped charts for months
- Fashion & FadsHypercolor T-shirts that changed colour with heat were the craze
- EventsThe Blue Jays became the first team to draw 4 million fans
1992
- Toys, Games & CartoonsStreet Fighter II came out on the Super Nintendo
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Tragically Hip released Fully Completely
- Music, TV & MoviesAladdin was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsGrunge: flannel shirts and ripped jeans
- EventsThe Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series
1993
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMighty Morphin Power Rangers premiered
- Music, TV & MoviesJurassic Park was the summer blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsDoc Martens boots were the shoes to have
- EventsJoe Carter's home run won the Blue Jays a second World Series
- EventsThe Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup
1994
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPogs took over schoolyards
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Lion King opened in theatres
- Music, TV & MoviesFriends premiered
- Fashion & FadsOveralls worn with one strap undone were the look
- EventsVictoria hosted the Commonwealth Games
1995
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSony's PlayStation came out
- Music, TV & MoviesAlanis Morissette released Jagged Little Pill
- Music, TV & MoviesToy Story, the first all-computer-animated movie, came out
- Fashion & FadsEveryone asked for "the Rachel" haircut
- EventsThe Toronto Raptors and Vancouver Grizzlies played their first NBA season
1996
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo 64 came out
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTickle Me Elmo was the must-have Christmas toy
- Music, TV & MoviesCeline Dion's "Because You Loved Me" was a huge hit
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Macarena
- EventsThe toonie, the two-dollar coin, came out
- EventsDonovan Bailey won Olympic gold in the 100 metres
1997
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTamagotchi virtual pets came out
- Music, TV & MoviesTitanic, directed by Canadian James Cameron, opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsSpice Girls style — platform sneakers and Girl Power
- EventsThe Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island opened
1998
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFurby was the hot Christmas toy
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Red and Blue came out on Game Boy
- Music, TV & MoviesShania Twain's "You're Still the One" was a smash hit
- Music, TV & MoviesBarenaked Ladies' "One Week" went to No. 1
- Fashion & FadsThe Roots poor-boy caps from the Nagano Olympics sold out
- EventsRoss Rebagliati won the first Olympic snowboarding gold in Nagano
1999
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon cards were traded at every school
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace opened in theatres
- Music, TV & MoviesBritney Spears' "...Baby One More Time" was everywhere
- Fashion & FadsCargo pants and butterfly clips were in
- EventsNunavut became Canada's newest territory
- EventsWayne Gretzky played his last NHL game
2000s
2000
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe PlayStation 2 came out
- Music, TV & MoviesMalcolm in the Middle premiered
- Fashion & FadsFolding Razor scooters were everywhere
- EventsCanada rang in the new millennium — and Y2K came and went
2001
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Game Boy Advance came out
- Music, TV & MoviesDegrassi: The Next Generation premiered on CTV
- Music, TV & MoviesHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsLow-rise flared jeans were the style
- EventsGander, Newfoundland, took in thousands of air travellers stranded on 9/11
2002
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBeyblade spinning tops took over schoolyards
- Music, TV & MoviesAvril Lavigne released Let Go, with "Complicated"
- Music, TV & MoviesSpider-Man was the summer blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsAvril-style neckties over tank tops
- EventsCanada won both men's and women's hockey gold at Salt Lake City
2003
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Ruby and Sapphire came out
- Music, TV & MoviesCanadian Idol premiered on CTV
- Music, TV & MoviesFinding Nemo was a hit at the movies
- Fashion & FadsTrucker hats were the hat to wear
- EventsThe Heritage Classic brought NHL hockey outdoors in Edmonton
2004
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo DS came out
- Music, TV & MoviesCorner Gas premiered on CTV
- Music, TV & MoviesShrek 2 was the year's biggest movie
- Fashion & FadsYellow Livestrong wristbands were on everyone's wrist
- EventsCanada won the World Cup of Hockey
2005
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWebkinz plush pets with online worlds came out
- Toys, Games & CartoonsClub Penguin, made in Kelowna, B.C., launched
- Music, TV & MoviesStar Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsUgg boots were everywhere
- EventsAlberta and Saskatchewan celebrated their 100th birthdays
2006
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Wii came out
- Music, TV & MoviesHigh School Musical premiered
- Music, TV & MoviesNelly Furtado released Loose
- Fashion & FadsCrocs were on everyone's feet
- EventsCindy Klassen won five medals at the Turin Winter Olympics
2007
- Toys, Games & CartoonsGuitar Hero III came out
- Music, TV & MoviesLittle Mosque on the Prairie premiered on CBC
- Music, TV & MoviesFeist's "1234" became a hit after an iPod ad
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was joining Facebook
- EventsThe Canadian dollar reached par with the US dollar
2008
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWii Fit got families exercising in the living room
- Music, TV & MoviesTotal Drama Island premiered on Teletoon
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Dark Knight was the summer blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsThe iPhone came to Canada
- EventsQuebec City celebrated its 400th birthday
2009
- Toys, Games & CartoonsZhu Zhu Pets hamsters were the hot Christmas toy
- Music, TV & MoviesJustin Bieber from Stratford, Ontario, released "One Time"
- Music, TV & MoviesAvatar, by James Cameron, opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsTwilight fans picked Team Edward or Team Jacob
- EventsThe Olympic torch relay began its trip across Canada
2010s
2010
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSilly Bandz stretchy bracelets were traded at school
- Music, TV & MoviesK'naan's "Wavin' Flag" was the song of the year
- Music, TV & MoviesToy Story 3 opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsRed Olympic mittens were on everyone's hands
- EventsVancouver hosted the Winter Olympics, and Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal
2011
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMinecraft was officially released
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAngry Birds was on every phone
- Music, TV & MoviesAdele's "Rolling in the Deep" was everywhere
- Music, TV & MoviesDrake released Take Care
- Fashion & FadsPlanking photos were everywhere
- EventsPrince William and Catherine toured Canada
2012
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Wii U came out
- Music, TV & MoviesCarly Rae Jepsen's "Call Me Maybe" was the song of the summer
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Hunger Games opened in theatres
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the "Gangnam Style" dance
- EventsThe Royal Canadian Mint stopped making pennies
2013
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRainbow Loom rubber-band bracelets were the craze
- Music, TV & MoviesFrozen opened in theatres
- Fashion & Fads"Selfie" was named word of the year
- EventsChris Hadfield sang "Space Oddity" aboard the space station
2014
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFlappy Bird was the phone game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesEveryone was singing "Let It Go"
- Fashion & FadsThe Ice Bucket Challenge spread online
- EventsCanada's men's and women's hockey teams both won gold at Sochi
2015
- Toys, Games & CartoonsShopkins tiny collectible toys were the craze
- Music, TV & MoviesDrake's "Hotline Bling" and The Weeknd's "Can't Feel My Face" were huge
- Fashion & FadsHoverboards were the gift everyone wanted
- EventsToronto hosted the Pan Am Games
- EventsJosé Bautista's bat flip sent the Blue Jays to the ALCS
2016
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Go had everyone out walking with their phones
- Music, TV & MoviesDrake's "One Dance" was the song of the summer
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Tragically Hip's last concert aired across Canada
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Mannequin Challenge
- EventsPenny Oleksiak won four swimming medals at the Rio Olympics
2017
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFidget spinners were in every classroom
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch came out
- Music, TV & MoviesAnne with an E premiered on CBC
- Fashion & FadsMaking slime at home was the craze
- EventsCanada celebrated its 150th birthday
2018
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFortnite was the game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesDrake's "God's Plan" was a huge hit
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was doing the Floss dance
- EventsTessa Virtue and Scott Moir won ice dance gold at PyeongChang
2019
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Sword and Shield came out
- Music, TV & Movies"Old Town Road" was the song of the year
- Music, TV & MoviesDisney+ launched in Canada
- Fashion & FadsVSCO girls with scrunchies and big water bottles
- EventsThe Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship
- EventsBianca Andreescu won the US Open
2020s
2020
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAnimal Crossing: New Horizons came out
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAmong Us was the game everyone played
- Music, TV & MoviesSchitt's Creek swept the Emmy Awards
- Fashion & FadsEveryone learned TikTok dances at home
- EventsSchools closed and classes moved online because of COVID-19
2021
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPop It fidget toys were the craze
- Music, TV & MoviesOlivia Rodrigo's "Drivers License" was a huge hit
- Music, TV & MoviesSquid Game was the show everyone talked about
- Fashion & FadsY2K fashion came back in style
- EventsCanada's women's soccer team won Olympic gold in Tokyo
2022
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWordle was the daily word puzzle everyone played
- Music, TV & Movies"We Don't Talk About Bruno" from Encanto was everywhere
- Fashion & FadsBeReal had everyone posting at the same moment
- EventsAlphonso Davies scored Canada's first men's World Cup goal
2023
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom came out
- Music, TV & MoviesBarbie was the summer's biggest movie
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Super Mario Bros. Movie was a hit
- Fashion & FadsStanley tumblers were the must-have water bottle
- EventsChatGPT became the talk of every classroom
2024
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPalworld was a huge hit on PC
- Music, TV & MoviesTaylor Swift brought the Eras Tour to Toronto and Vancouver
- Music, TV & MoviesInside Out 2 was the year's biggest movie
- Fashion & Fads"Brat summer" turned everything lime green
- EventsA total solar eclipse crossed Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada
- EventsThe Professional Women's Hockey League played its first season
2025
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Nintendo Switch 2 came out
- Music, TV & MoviesA Minecraft Movie was a hit in theatres
- Fashion & FadsLabubu plush charms were clipped to everyone's bags
- EventsConnor McDavid's overtime goal won the 4 Nations Face-Off for Canada