Here are all the trends and events that appear in Nostalgia Diary when you play as India, year by year. Each year is the calendar year (January–December) when it happened. In the game, it shows up in the class that starts in April of that year.
For each year, we picked items from four categories: "Toys, Games & Cartoons," "Music, TV & Movies," "Fashion & Fads," and "Events." We chose things that children and teenagers across the country shared — from Doordarshan serials and comics to films in many languages, cricket and other sports, and India's space missions — based on Indian release dates, first broadcast dates and other records. What felt big depends on where you grew up, which languages you watched and how old you were, so if you spot a mistake, please let us know through the contact form.
Product names, titles, and organisation 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 & CartoonsIndrajal Comics brought The Phantom and Mandrake to kids across India
- Music, TV & MoviesRaj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker and Dev Anand's Johny Mera Naam reached cinemas
- Fashion & FadsRajesh Khanna's collarless 'guru kurta' became the look to copy
- EventsOperation Flood began, setting out to bring more milk to every town
1971
- Toys, Games & CartoonsChacha Chaudhary, whose brain works faster than a computer, first appeared in Lotpot
- Music, TV & MoviesHaathi Mere Saathi, with Rajesh Khanna and his elephant friends, was a huge hit
- Music, TV & MoviesAnand released, with Rajesh Khanna and a young Amitabh Bachchan
- Fashion & FadsZeenat Aman's hippie look in Hare Rama Hare Krishna set a new style
- EventsAjit Wadekar's team won Test series in the West Indies and in England
1972
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAmar Chitra Katha comics taught a generation stories from history and legend
- Music, TV & MoviesPakeezah, with Meena Kumari, released and its songs became classics
- Fashion & FadsBajaj launched the Chetak scooter, soon the family vehicle everyone wanted
- EventsTelevision came to Bombay as a new Doordarshan station started broadcasting
1973
- Toys, Games & CartoonsGilli-danda, marbles and spinning tops filled the lanes after school
- Music, TV & MoviesBobby, with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia, became a teen love-story hit
- Music, TV & MoviesZanjeer made Amitabh Bachchan the 'angry young man'
- Fashion & FadsPolka-dot 'Bobby prints' and Dimple's look from Bobby were everywhere
- EventsProject Tiger was launched to protect India's tigers
1974
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe animated short Ek Anek Aur Ekta taught kids that unity is strength
- Music, TV & MoviesRoti Kapada Aur Makaan was one of the biggest hits of the year
- Fashion & FadsBell-bottom trousers and wide collars were the height of fashion
- EventsIn the Chipko movement, village women hugged trees to save their forest
1975
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMotu and Patlu's comic strips in Lotpot magazine kept kids laughing
- Music, TV & MoviesSholay opened on 15 August and went on to run for years in Bombay
- Music, TV & MoviesDeewaar gave the line 'Mere paas Maa hai'
- Fashion & FadsGabbar Singh's 'Kitne aadmi the?' was quoted in every playground
- EventsIndia won the Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur
- EventsAryabhata, India's first satellite, was launched
1976
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBahadur, India's own comic-book hero, joined Indrajal Comics
- Music, TV & MoviesKabhi Kabhie released, and its title song played on radios everywhere
- Fashion & FadsSafari suits were the smart look for dads and uncles
- EventsIndia's women's cricket team played its first Test match
1977
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCarrom boards came out for long matches during the summer holidays
- Music, TV & MoviesAmar Akbar Anthony, about three brothers separated as children, was a blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsThums Up cola was launched and became a favourite fizzy drink
- EventsFootball legend Pelé played an exhibition match in Calcutta
1978
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSnakes and ladders, a game that began in India, was a family favourite
- Music, TV & MoviesDon released, with the song 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala'
- Music, TV & MoviesMuqaddar Ka Sikandar was the biggest hit of the year
- Fashion & FadsLong sideburns and hair over the ears, Amitabh Bachchan-style, were in
- EventsA young all-rounder named Kapil Dev played his first Test
1979
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTarget, a magazine for young teens, was launched
- Music, TV & MoviesHrishikesh Mukherjee's comedy Gol Maal made audiences laugh
- Fashion & FadsDisco fever arrived, with flared trousers and platform shoes
- EventsMother Teresa of Calcutta was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
- EventsIndia's satellite Bhaskara-I was launched
1980s
1980
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTinkle, the comic magazine for children, was launched
- Music, TV & MoviesNazia Hassan's 'Aap Jaisa Koi' from Qurbani became a disco hit
- Fashion & FadsKarz brought disco songs and the guitar-playing hero's look
- EventsIndia's hockey team won the gold medal at the Moscow Olympics
- EventsIndia launched a satellite on its own rocket, the SLV-3
1981
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Rubik's Cube puzzle craze spread around the world
- Music, TV & MoviesNazia and Zoheb's album Disco Deewane was a smash hit
- Music, TV & MoviesEk Duuje Ke Liye, a north–south love story, was a hit
- Fashion & FadsSilsila made flowing chiffon saris a style statement
- EventsIndia's first scientific expedition to Antarctica set sail from Goa
1982
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAppu the elephant, mascot of the Asian Games, was everywhere
- Music, TV & MoviesDoordarshan began colour broadcasts and national programmes
- Music, TV & MoviesDisco Dancer made Mithun Chakraborty's 'I Am a Disco Dancer' a craze
- Fashion & FadsFamilies bought their first colour TV sets
- EventsNew Delhi hosted the Asian Games
1983
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTinkle's Suppandi, the well-meaning servant who gets everything wrong, made kids laugh
- Music, TV & Movies'Lakdi Ki Kaathi' from Masoom became every child's favourite song
- Fashion & FadsMaggi 2-minute noodles were launched and became an after-school snack
- EventsKapil Dev's India won the Cricket World Cup at Lord's
- EventsThe first Maruti 800 car was handed over to its owner
1984
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMy Dear Kuttichathan, India's first 3D film, thrilled kids with its magic
- Music, TV & MoviesHum Log, India's first TV soap opera, began on Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesThe comedy Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi began on Doordarshan
- Fashion & FadsWatching films on rented video cassettes became a weekend treat
- EventsRakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space — 'Saare Jahan Se Achha'
1985
- Toys, Games & CartoonsVikram Aur Betaal, with its ghost who asks riddles, began on Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesThe carrot-munching detective show Karamchand began on Doordarshan
- Fashion & FadsThe Yamaha RX100 motorcycle was launched and became a young person's dream
- EventsIndia won the World Championship of Cricket in Australia
1986
- Toys, Games & CartoonsNagraj, the snake-powered superhero, launched Raj Comics
- Music, TV & MoviesMalgudi Days, based on R. K. Narayan's stories, began on Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesNukkad, about life on a street corner, began on Doordarshan
- Fashion & FadsHero Cycles became the world's largest bicycle maker, and Hero bikes filled school yards
- EventsP. T. Usha won four gold medals at the Asian Games in Seoul
1987
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSuper Commando Dhruva, a hero without superpowers, debuted in Raj Comics
- Music, TV & MoviesRamayan began on Doordarshan, and streets emptied on Sunday mornings
- Music, TV & MoviesMr. India, with its invisible hero, was a favourite with children
- Fashion & FadsMogambo's 'Mogambo khush hua!' from Mr. India became a catchphrase
- EventsIndia and Pakistan co-hosted the Cricket World Cup
1988
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRaj Comics heroes like Nagraj and Super Commando Dhruva were must-reads
- Music, TV & MoviesMahabharat began on Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesQayamat Se Qayamat Tak made Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla stars
- Fashion & FadsMadhuri Dixit's 'Ek Do Teen' from Tezaab was danced to everywhere
- EventsSchoolboys Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli put on a record 664-run partnership
- Events'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' was first shown on Independence Day
1989
- Toys, Games & CartoonsLagori (seven stones) and hide-and-seek filled evenings in the colony
- Music, TV & MoviesMaine Pyar Kiya was a blockbuster and made Salman Khan a star
- Music, TV & MoviesFauji, with a young Shah Rukh Khan, began on Doordarshan
- Fashion & Fads'Dosti ka ek usool hai — no sorry, no thank you' from Maine Pyar Kiya was quoted everywhere
- Events16-year-old Sachin Tendulkar played his first Test match
1990s
1990
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSpinning tops (lattoo) were a playground favourite
- Music, TV & MoviesThe soundtrack of Aashiqui sold in record numbers
- Music, TV & MoviesSurabhi, the culture magazine show, began and got lakhs of postcards a week
- Fashion & FadsPepsi arrived in India as 'Lehar Pepsi'
- Events17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar scored his first Test century, in England
1991
- Toys, Games & CartoonsDisney cartoons like DuckTales, dubbed in Hindi, were Sunday morning favourites on Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesSatellite channels like STAR TV began reaching homes through cable
- Music, TV & MoviesSaajan, with its hit songs, was a big success
- Fashion & FadsCable connections and dish antennas appeared on rooftops
- EventsIndia opened up its economy, and new brands began to arrive
1992
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTV video-game consoles with Mario and Contra cartridges began to appear in homes
- Music, TV & MoviesZee TV, the first Hindi satellite channel, was launched
- Music, TV & MoviesRoja introduced A. R. Rahman's music to the country
- Fashion & FadsRajinikanth's Annamalai and his style moves were a craze in Tamil Nadu
- Fashion & Fads'Pehla Nasha' from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar was the song of the year for teens
- EventsSatyajit Ray received an honorary Oscar for his lifetime of films
1993
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Jungle Book cartoon, with its song 'Jungle jungle baat chali hai', came to Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesBaazigar made Shah Rukh Khan a star
- Music, TV & MoviesThe detective series Byomkesh Bakshi began on Doordarshan
- Fashion & FadsCoca-Cola returned to India after 16 years
- EventsIndia won the Hero Cup, with Sachin Tendulkar bowling the last over of the semi-final
1994
- Toys, Games & CartoonsJurassic Park, dubbed in Hindi, started a dinosaur craze
- Music, TV & MoviesHum Aapke Hain Koun..! became one of the biggest hits ever
- Music, TV & MoviesThe fantasy serial Chandrakanta began on Doordarshan
- Fashion & FadsMadhuri Dixit's purple sari from Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! was copied at weddings
- EventsSushmita Sen became Miss Universe and Aishwarya Rai became Miss World
1995
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCartoon Network began beaming cartoons into Indian homes
- Music, TV & MoviesDilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge released and went on to run for decades in Mumbai
- Music, TV & MoviesAlisha Chinai's 'Made in India' topped the charts
- Fashion & FadsDaler Mehndi's 'Bolo Ta Ra Ra' made bhangra pop a nationwide craze
- EventsIndia's first mobile phone call was made, from Calcutta, and the internet opened to the public
1996
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTom and Jerry and Scooby-Doo on Cartoon Network were after-school favourites
- Music, TV & MoviesMTV India and Channel V brought music videos to young viewers
- Music, TV & MoviesRaja Hindustani and its song 'Pardesi Pardesi' were a big hit
- Fashion & FadsPepsi's 'Nothing official about it' ads were the talk of the World Cup
- EventsIndia co-hosted the Cricket World Cup
- EventsLeander Paes won a bronze medal in tennis at the Atlanta Olympics
1997
- Toys, Games & CartoonsShaktimaan, India's own superhero, began on Doordarshan
- Music, TV & MoviesDil To Pagal Hai, with its dance-filled songs, was a big hit
- Fashion & FadsDiana Hayden was crowned Miss World
- EventsIndia celebrated 50 years of Independence
1998
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCaptain Vyom, a sci-fi adventure, began on Doordarshan
- Toys, Games & CartoonsHip Hip Hurray, a show about school life, began on Zee TV
- Music, TV & MoviesKuch Kuch Hota Hai became the year's biggest hit
- Music, TV & Movies'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from Dil Se.. was filmed on top of a moving train
- Fashion & FadsSporty T-shirts and 'Cool' chains from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai were the college look
- EventsSachin Tendulkar's 'Desert Storm' centuries in Sharjah
1999
- Toys, Games & CartoonsWWF wrestling stars like The Rock were schoolyard heroes
- Music, TV & MoviesHum Dil De Chuke Sanam released
- Music, TV & MoviesTaal and its A. R. Rahman soundtrack were a hit
- Fashion & FadsCyber cafés opened up, and teenagers made their first e-mail IDs
- EventsAnil Kumble took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan in Delhi
2000s
2000
- Toys, Games & CartoonsShaka Laka Boom Boom, about a magic pencil, began on Star Plus
- Music, TV & MoviesKaun Banega Crorepati, hosted by Amitabh Bachchan, began
- Music, TV & MoviesKaho Naa... Pyaar Hai made Hrithik Roshan an overnight star
- Fashion & Fads'Lock kiya jaaye?' from KBC was repeated in every home
- EventsKarnam Malleswari became the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal
2001
- Toys, Games & CartoonsHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone reached Indian cinemas
- Music, TV & MoviesLagaan, about a cricket match against the British, released
- Music, TV & MoviesKabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... was a big family hit
- Fashion & FadsAamir Khan's goatee in Dil Chahta Hai was copied by college boys
- EventsV. V. S. Laxman's 281 helped India beat Australia at Eden Gardens
2002
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSpider-Man swung into cinemas, dubbed in Hindi too
- Music, TV & MoviesDevdas and its song 'Dola Re Dola' released
- Fashion & FadsThe remix video 'Kaanta Laga' was played everywhere
- EventsIndia won the NatWest Series final at Lord's
- EventsThe Delhi Metro started running
2003
- Toys, Games & CartoonsJadoo, the alien from Koi... Mil Gaya, won children's hearts
- Music, TV & MoviesMunna Bhai M.B.B.S. made the 'jaadu ki jhappi' famous
- Music, TV & MoviesMTV Roadies began
- Fashion & FadsThe Nokia 1100 was launched and became many people's first mobile phone
- EventsIndia reached the Cricket World Cup final in South Africa
2004
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPogo and Hungama TV, new channels for kids, were launched
- Music, TV & MoviesDhoom and its title song 'Dhoom Machale' were a hit
- Music, TV & MoviesMain Hoon Na released
- Fashion & FadsAfter Dhoom, sports bikes became every teen's dream
- EventsRajyavardhan Singh Rathore won a silver medal in shooting at the Athens Olympics
2005
- Toys, Games & CartoonsDoraemon, the robot cat with a pocket full of gadgets, became a hit on Hungama TV
- Music, TV & Movies'Kajra Re' from Bunty Aur Babli was the song of the year
- Music, TV & MoviesAbhijeet Sawant won the first Indian Idol
- Fashion & FadsCaller tunes let callers hear a film song instead of a ring
- EventsSania Mirza became the first Indian woman to win a WTA singles title
- EventsNarain Karthikeyan became India's first Formula One driver
2006
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCrayon Shin-chan began on Hungama TV and became a huge hit
- Music, TV & MoviesRang De Basanti released and its music was everywhere
- Music, TV & MoviesKrrish, India's own superhero film, released
- Fashion & FadsKrrish masks were the toy every child wanted
- Fashion & FadsLage Raho Munna Bhai made 'Gandhigiri' a popular word
- EventsFootball fans in Kolkata, Kerala and Goa stayed up late for the FIFA World Cup
2007
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBen 10 and his Omnitrix watch were a big hit on Cartoon Network
- Music, TV & MoviesChak De! India, about the women's hockey team, released
- Music, TV & MoviesTaare Zameen Par, about a boy with dyslexia, released
- Fashion & FadsKareena Kapoor's Patiala salwars from Jab We Met became a trend
- EventsIndia won the first ICC World Twenty20
- EventsViswanathan Anand became World Chess Champion
2008
- Toys, Games & CartoonsChhota Bheem began on Pogo
- Music, TV & MoviesTaarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah began
- Music, TV & MoviesThe first Indian Premier League (IPL) season began
- Fashion & FadsAamir Khan's shaved-head look from Ghajini was copied by many
- EventsAbhinav Bindra won India's first individual Olympic gold medal
- EventsChandrayaan-1, India's first mission to the Moon, was launched
2009
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAvatar was shown in 3D and amazed audiences
- Music, TV & MoviesA. R. Rahman won two Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire, including for 'Jai Ho'
- Music, TV & Movies3 Idiots released at Christmas
- Fashion & Fads'All izz well' from 3 Idiots was said before every exam
- EventsData from Chandrayaan-1 helped find water on the Moon
- EventsThe Tata Nano, a small, low-cost car, went on sale
2010s
2010
- Toys, Games & CartoonsRoll No 21, a cartoon about a boy and Kans, began on Cartoon Network
- Music, TV & MoviesDabangg and 'Munni Badnaam Hui' were a hit
- Music, TV & MoviesRajinikanth's Enthiran (Robot) was a blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsChulbul Pandey's sunglasses tucked in at the back of the collar were copied
- EventsSachin Tendulkar scored the first double century in ODI cricket
- EventsDelhi hosted the Commonwealth Games
2011
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAngry Birds was the game on everyone's phone
- Music, TV & Movies'Why This Kolaveri Di' went viral online
- Music, TV & MoviesZindagi Na Milegi Dobara inspired road trips with friends
- Fashion & FadsBlackBerry phones and BBM chats were a status symbol
- EventsIndia won the Cricket World Cup at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
2012
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMotu Patlu began on Nickelodeon
- Toys, Games & CartoonsSubway Surfers was the phone game kids played
- Music, TV & MoviesSatyamev Jayate, hosted by Aamir Khan, began on TV
- Fashion & FadsEveryone tried the horse-riding dance from 'Gangnam Style'
- EventsIndia won six medals at the London Olympics, including Mary Kom's bronze in boxing
2013
- Toys, Games & CartoonsCandy Crush Saga was the game everyone played on their phone
- Music, TV & MoviesYeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and 'Badtameez Dil' were a hit
- Music, TV & MoviesComedy Nights with Kapil began
- Fashion & Fads'Lungi Dance' from Chennai Express was danced at every party
- EventsSachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket
- EventsIndia launched Mangalyaan, its mission to Mars
2014
- Toys, Games & CartoonsElsa and 'Let It Go' from Frozen were every child's favourite
- Music, TV & MoviesQueen, with Kangana Ranaut, was a surprise hit
- Music, TV & MoviesPK released in December
- Fashion & FadsThe Ice Bucket Challenge spread on social media
- EventsMangalyaan reached Mars on its first try
- EventsKailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
2015
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe Minions got their own film, and Minion toys were everywhere
- Music, TV & MoviesBaahubali: The Beginning became a pan-India blockbuster
- Music, TV & MoviesBajrangi Bhaijaan released
- Fashion & Fads'Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?' became the question everyone asked
- EventsSaina Nehwal became world number one in badminton
2016
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPokémon Go officially launched in India
- Music, TV & MoviesDangal, about a wrestler and his daughters, released
- Music, TV & MoviesThe Marathi film Sairat became a huge hit
- Fashion & Fads'Zingaat' from Sairat was danced to at every wedding
- EventsJio launched with free data, and phones filled with videos
- EventsP. V. Sindhu won silver and Sakshi Malik won bronze at the Rio Olympics
2017
- Toys, Games & CartoonsFidget spinners were the craze in every classroom
- Music, TV & MoviesBaahubali 2: The Conclusion broke box-office records
- Fashion & FadsPaying with UPI apps and QR codes caught on
- Fashion & Fads'Despacito' played everywhere
- EventsISRO launched 104 satellites on a single rocket
- EventsMithali Raj's team reached the Women's Cricket World Cup final
2018
- Toys, Games & CartoonsLittle Singham, a cartoon about a young police hero, began
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPUBG Mobile was released
- Music, TV & MoviesSacred Games, Netflix's first Indian series, released
- Music, TV & MoviesK.G.F: Chapter 1 released
- Fashion & FadsShort lip-sync videos on TikTok became a craze
- EventsHima Das won gold at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships
2019
- Toys, Games & CartoonsTeens teamed up in squads to play PUBG Mobile
- Music, TV & MoviesGully Boy, about a rapper from Mumbai, released
- Music, TV & MoviesAvengers: Endgame was a huge hit
- Fashion & Fads'Apna Time Aayega' from Gully Boy became a slogan
- EventsP. V. Sindhu became badminton world champion
- EventsChandrayaan-2 was launched
2020s
2020
- Toys, Games & CartoonsLudo King was played by families stuck at home
- Toys, Games & CartoonsAmong Us became the game everyone played with friends
- Music, TV & MoviesPanchayat, about life in a village office, released
- Music, TV & MoviesScam 1992 was a hit web series
- Fashion & FadsEveryone was whipping Dalgona coffee at home
- Fashion & FadsInstagram Reels launched in India
- EventsSchools closed in the COVID-19 lockdown and classes moved online
2021
- Toys, Games & CartoonsBattlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) was released
- Music, TV & MoviesPushpa: The Rise and its song 'Srivalli' were a hit
- Fashion & Fads'Bachpan Ka Pyaar', sung by a schoolboy, went viral
- EventsNeeraj Chopra won gold in the javelin at the Tokyo Olympics
2022
- Toys, Games & CartoonsThe word game Wordle became a daily habit
- Music, TV & MoviesRRR became a worldwide hit
- Music, TV & MoviesK.G.F: Chapter 2 released
- Fashion & Fads'Kacha Badam', a street vendor's song from West Bengal, went viral
- EventsIndia won the Thomas Cup in badminton for the first time
- Events5G mobile service launched in India
2023
- Toys, Games & CartoonsPavitr Prabhakar, an Indian Spider-Man, appeared in Across the Spider-Verse
- Music, TV & Movies'Naatu Naatu' from RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song
- Music, TV & MoviesJawan was a blockbuster
- Fashion & FadsStudents started asking ChatGPT for help
- EventsChandrayaan-3 landed near the Moon's south pole
- EventsNeeraj Chopra became javelin world champion
2024
- Toys, Games & CartoonsMufasa: The Lion King released in Hindi with Shah Rukh Khan and his sons' voices
- Music, TV & MoviesStree 2 became a blockbuster
- Music, TV & MoviesPushpa 2: The Rule released
- Fashion & FadsThe 'Tauba Tauba' hook step was copied in reels everywhere
- EventsIndia won the T20 World Cup
- EventsManu Bhaker won two bronze medals in shooting at the Paris Olympics
2025
- Toys, Games & CartoonsA Minecraft Movie brought the block-building game to cinemas
- Music, TV & MoviesColdplay played to huge crowds in Mumbai and Ahmedabad
- Fashion & FadsGhibli-style AI pictures of family photos flooded social media
- EventsIndia won the ICC Champions Trophy
- EventsShubhanshu Shukla flew to the International Space Station