Odin (40)One of my favorite things to do when life gets stressful is to make some time in my schedule for a good gaming session. I don’t let myself play video games every day, mind, or that gets to be its own kind of stress! But having the option to sink into that wonderful immersive experience is such a treat, such a wonderful way to reconnect with myself and let the rest of the world go on without me for a while, that I’d really liken it to meditation.
There are so many great relaxing video games that can provide that meditative experience, with different game types appealing to different folks. In my experience, our moods shift as well, and sometimes it’s nice to play something a little different than we might normally go for. Some of the video games on this list have a bit more action in them, some invite you to sink into a good storyline and really immerse yourself in that experience. Others are gentle, soothing gaming experiences that cultivate a sense of methodical timelessness that can really make the hours slide by.
Whatever your reason for seeking out the most relaxing video games, let me assure you: you’ve found the perfect list.
Music is the core of Proteus in a delightfully unique way. Everything in the game generates a different note, creating a constantly shifting soundscape that the player character drifts through, with silent moments occurring at, say, the top of a hill, and dynamic events like animals bringing to life a whole new orchestra. It’s a true walking simulator game, where the goal is to simply experience the virtual world and bask in the audio experience, making it a winner when it comes to relaxing video games that are all about the experience rather than goal-driven gameplay.
Cited by many gaming awards as “the greatest game in history”, Minecraft may also be one of the best relaxing experiences provided by a video game. Because of the ability to choose the game mode you want, it’s possible to tailor the level of stress that you’ll experience during play, as well as choose whether or not to connect with other real humans to play alongside. Build your world using blocks, explore a nearly limitless landscape, and construct ingenious constructs using Redstone and your own logical skills. This really is one of the best games to play if you want to take a dive out of reality and engage with your creative side in a whole new way.
Delve deep into the ocean’s mysteries in this brilliant game by the artist behind the award-winning Journey. Granted, the deeper into the ocean you go (and the deeper into the riveting storyline you get) the more intense things become in Abzu, but the early parts of the game are pure exploration coupled with heartwarming story touches. Truthfully, “intense” can be weirdly relaxing, too. The beautiful nature of this game, and the cathartic experience of playing through the whole story, are something that I highly recommend.
For those of you who simply wish to bask in the ocean of wisdom, however, try out the meditation mode, which allows you to simply swim and explore, with no strings attached.
In Kind Words, the point isn’t to gamify meditation, the point is to connect. Players write a letter and send it into the digital ether, where another player can pick it up, read it, and respond to it. The experience can be wonderfully validating and, if you’re needing a friendly ear, Kind Words is a beautiful project that allows you to have another human to talk to. The catch is that this isn’t a space to start up a dialog — there’s no pressure because conversations don’t continue. It’s one letter, one response, and one beautiful moment of connection.
A young girl is lost in a world of her own and her voice is gone. Through her faded reality, she travels, gathering new powers that manifest upon her colorful cloak as her journey explores an introspective universe of potential. One of the most optimistic games around, with a gorgeous soundtrack that will lap at your mind like gentle ocean waves, Gris is a perfect mix of game that holds your attention and a game that wants you to meditate.
Alan Watts is one of the most profound Western philosophic minds of the last hundred years so it’s fitting that his narration should underpin a game about the nature of nature. In Everything, the goal of the game is not to “do” but simply “to be”. When the player goes idle, the game moves on anyway, and nature simply exists. Animations are intentionally silly and simple, but the profound systems at work beneath the game make this something magical to behold. Playing Everything is a bit like immersing oneself in one of Watts’ books, making it the perfect game when you need to relax and introspect.
It’s impossible to leave off from this list a game so relaxing that University of Oxford researchers say it’s good for your wellbeing. I’ve loved Animal Crossing since it first emerged in the Nintendo gamescape, and modern gamers continue to experience all the peace that this game offers with the latest iterations of this classic. Being able to exist free of worry, to build and explore, to socialize in a stress-free way, all synthesize into a gentle gaming experience as relaxing as a hot bath.
Meet a BAFTA award-winning game so innovative that it’s become part of the Smithsonian’s permanent collection. Flower is a game about being in touch with nature in the most intimate of ways. As the wind, you’ll flow from one environment to another, interacting with the world around you and immersing yourself in the undulating dance of life and beauty that is the natural world.
Perhaps one of the best video games in history, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers up an open-world experience like no other. Travel through the kingdom of Hyrule as Link, explore, grow, and interact with a beautifully engaging non-linear storyline. The whole world feels dynamic and alive, and as you explore you’re going to find yourself constantly experimenting and reinventing your approach to how you play games.
What I love most about this game is how every part of the world is discoverable: if you encounter a mountain, you can climb it; if you want to leap off a mountain you can paraglide to the forest away over yonder. It’s a huge, breathtaking gaming experience, allowing you more than enough time to sit back and simply immerse within the world, while also offering plenty of challenges and puzzles should you want them — to say nothing of the superb plot that follows a non-linear arc, which means you can explore however you want and still watch the story unfold.
Designed to be the spiritual successor to the Harvest Moon series, Stardew Valley is a game about farming, exploring, and being part of a community. Eric Barone, who singlehandedly designed the game, wanted to make a game that took the farming simulator concept to an even deeper level, allowing the player to do more, see more, and experience more within the game. Still, at the core of the game is a lovely experience of interacting with the cycles of nature and the needs of the community, paced out in a gentle rhythm and completely open-ended so you’ll never feel rushed to complete an objective. Just live, plant, and be merry.
There’s something magical about the aesthetic cultivated in Winkeltje that has to be experienced to be understood. You can get so completely lost in this game about taking your shop from a small little rural affair to the major center of trade in the town. Starting out with debt might feel a bit too real to be relaxing, but the catharsis of successfully bringing your shop into the clear, of getting things running smoothly enough to start decorating for fun, makes it all worthwhile.
Winkeltje is still in beta, but the developer has done great recent work improving the systems and taking care of bugs. It’s fully playable and offers a ton of great possibilities for how to build your shop and what (if anything) to specialize your inventory toward.
Journey is one of the best games for any player on any occasion. The story is utterly entrancing and the artwork is sublime, the soundtrack for Journey is one of the best I’ve ever heard and the whole experience of playing it is transportative. In fact, I’d only play this game if I were sure I had a nice long block of time to settle into it, meditation-style so that I could take full advantage of just how deep the experience of playing it can be.
The experience of Journey is one of utter surrender to the experience of art. I fell in love with this game over its soundtrack which is engrossing in itself, but the storyline, the artwork, the sculpted experience of sliding through a vast desert make for a holistic and wholly magical experience. The game lures you forward with a gentle slope of perfected ambiance and skillful storytelling, providing one of the best little narratives I’ve seen from a platformer, while simultaneously creating an overall mesmerizing gaming experience.
Don’t keep reading this, just go grab it.
Who didn’t love playing with Lego blocks as a kid? Being able to create virtually anything you wanted was such a dream. That’s the premise Reassembly is working from, taking the time-tested experience of building whatever you imagine with the gentle progressive experience of exploration. In the game, you take on command of one “ship” within a faction. You can fight, redesign your ship, harvest resources (either through combat or by farming space weeds), and basically do whatever you want. It’s super low-key and a huge blast, with a nice meditative techno soundtrack. There are also a huge array of mods available for it that add some fun new features, so check those out as well!
Okay, okay, hear me out here. Skyrim just so happens to be an incredibly relaxing game… if you play it that way! Sure, the main storyline is a bit intense, but once you’re out of that and into the main section of the game, how you play is up to you. My favorite low-key way to play the game is as a pacifist alchemist mage. I travel the world, mostly in nature, making friends with animals, sneaking past threats, collecting herbs, and generally having a blast. Maybe pursuing some relationships when I head into town.
My suggestion? Grab a dozen graphical overhaul mods from the Nexus mod site, maybe a couple of gentle realism mods and an alternate-start mod (to avoid the normal story introduction) and just set off on your next great wilderness adventure!
One of my favorite alternatives to the more demanding experience of Minecraft, Terraria offers you the chance to dive into a world of pure exploration and fun. Dig deep into the earth, create homes of stunning complexity (or joyous simplicity), interact with friends through multiplayer, explore strange new terrains, fight some monsters, collect cool treasures. There’s a bit of inherent stress due to the day/night cycle (more monsters come out at night when it’s dark), but that just generally means that night is when you go inside and work on your basement or that cool tree fort you’ve been envisioning.
This one might seem like even more of a stretch than Skyrim, but did you know that you don’t have to play Stellaris as a combat-heavy strategy game? One of my favorite ways to play is by setting up a bunch of default pacifist races who will want to be my friends, then we all just work together to trade, peacefully handle rare galactic difficulties, and generally create a Utopian futuristic galactic society! Sure, sometimes bad things happen, but those are almost always easier to handle with a bunch of friends at your side.
The pace of this game also lends itself well to a slow, meditative experience, especially if you’re playing on a large map with the right settings. Mods can help your further tailor your gaming experience.
Letting Gravity Ghost’s designers speak for themselves is probably the best bet in this case: “There’s no killing, no dying, no way to fail. Just hours of blissing out to buttery-smooth gravity goodness.” As Iona the Ghost, you search for Ghost Fox, your lost best friend, while also solving physics-based puzzles. It’s a gloriously meditative, quiet, and sweet-hearted game, with a rich bit of writing at its core.
Few games have made an impact on the art form in the way that Sims has, and for good reason. One of the most engrossing, fun, diverse, and interesting games in existence, The Sims offers players a chance to take control of a virtual world. Foster your Sim and their family line through multiple generations, use the build/buy mode to create unique homes or visit one of the numerous Sim worlds (including one themed entirely on Star Wars. Sims 4 takes the franchise farther than ever before, allowing for far greater customization, a range of diverse options (including gender expression), and a more complex Sim life that includes multitasking and advanced emotional interactions. This is the sort of game to lose yourself in when you just absolutely need a break from the real world.
A small Arizona town is transported to the surface of an alien world and you need to find out why. If you remember and love the game Myst then Obduction is something you need to play. It’s a bit older now, hailing from 2016, but it remains a faithful successor to its puzzle game ancestry, with Unreal Engine graphics that help it feel fresher than expected (especially on higher settings). None of the puzzles are outrageously frustrating to solve, the atmosphere of the game is expansive and intriguing, and the mystery behind the whole thing is engaging. It’s absolutely a top game for an immersive yet cerebral gaming experience.
A delightfully dark and funny game that reminds me of Brazil by Terry Gillam. Everything in The Stanley Parable matters, and everything doesn’t matter. Choices lead to new choices, paradoxes give way to meaning, and exploration invites a growth of understanding. It’s the little changes in this game that make it so worthwhile, and playing it for an hour or so at a time each day provides an ideal way to experience Stanley’s life in his maze of strange hallways. The humor and pacing make this a gentle game, too, something that won’t leave you frayed by the end.
Whether running a pre-generated scenario or creating your own solar system and agonizing over asteroid placement and the number of worlds, Universe Sandbox offers unprecedented control over the stellar experience. Hours will vanish like stars into a black hole while you navigate the experience of the cosmos, and gods help you if you’ve got a VR headset because you might just never stop playing.
No Man’s Sky certainly started out rough, with far too many bugs to ever be considered on a “relaxing games” list. But since its early days the devs have worked hard on their baby, and Sky now offers a reasonably bug-free gaming experience. More important, it offers the experience of unlimited exploration and discovery, done the way you want. Travel through a nearly limitless procedurally generated galaxy, home to untold combinations of exotic alien life, build bases, experience jaw-dropping space visuals, and sink into the experience of pure exploration.
Part radio drama, part pastoral video game, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture offers a unique exploration-centered experience of a post-apocalypse. Set in a small rural town where the grass is green, the sky is blue, and nobody at all is at home, you take on the job of uncovering the secret of the townsfolk’s disappearance while also exploring a large and gorgeous game world. The emotional arcs in the stories you’ll encounter can be emotionally heavy at times, but they can also be beautiful, and the overwhelming vibe of this game is a rarity in the apocalypse genre: chill.
Who would have thought that a game about designing the perfect metro system could be so utterly engrossing? When a dear friend showed this to me several years ago I was skeptical, but he persisted and I discovered something totally addicting. I will say that the more complex this little game gets, the more difficult it becomes to create your ideal system, and that can get a little frustrating. However, the feeling when you get everything flowing correctly is just plain gorgeous, making it a highly recommended little game in my book.
As a local god, you take on the duty of caring for the people of your land in The Immortal Mayor, a relaxing game that creates its chill vibe through a wonderful combination of cute graphics and an excellent soundtrack, as well as through a great interactive decorations system that allows you to make the prettiest and most prosperous town ever. There is a battle mechanic (prosperous towns attract monsters!) but it’s possible to defend against these by adding walls or using your godly powers, so I don’t think it detracts from the relaxed experience.
One of my favorite chill city-building games, Islanders offers one of the most relaxing experiences of the genre because it’s not about managing resources. You have a set number of buildings you can place, and their placement earns you points. The more points you get, the more new buildings you get, and the more you can place! It’s all about optimizing your cities on their beautiful little islands, making for an engrossing, fun, and completely relaxed experience.
In Papetura you aid little adventurers Pape and Tura as they try to save their paper world from monsters of flame. As a point-and-click adventure, the experience is as slow-paced as you want it to be, with the rich artwork and storytelling providing the sort of deep experience that is completely rejuvenating. The whole game world was lovingly handcrafted from real paper and then animated, too, providing a sense of visual depth and immersion that reminds me of childhood fairytales.
If the name didn’t clue you in, Cozy Grove offers a cozy gaming experience, one that lives up to its motto of “Come for the view, stay for the friends.” It’s a beautiful real-time gaming experience, with 40-60 minutes of campaign story material available each day, and a huge assortment of other activities to undertake on your own time. As a Spirit Scout camping on a remote island, you’ll wander the forests, sooth unhappy spirits, and collect all manner of treasures. It’s the sort of game the becomes a positive daily ritual, something to return to again and again and look forward to for weeks in a row.
By the neon’s glow, you ride. Rubber against asphalt, you speed down endless highways in a dreamscape of 1980s digital imagination, synthesizer pouring out a steady heartbeat to the unfolding and unending road. This is Retrowave. If you’re like me, synthwave is one genre of music that never ceases to aid in the relaxation process, something the Retrowave devs apparently share. The whole experience of Retrowave is one of deep immersion in a land of retro-techno nostalgia, a deeply absorbing racing experience that will take you out of your reality and inject you straight into the heart of an 80s that never was.
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator (just TABS for short) is a game about controlling your army of wobblies as they fight… another army of wobblies. On a massive variety of possible stages, set your army against your opponents, and watch the mayhem ensure. TABS is a delightfully silly game, creating a relaxing experience through sheer randomness and humor. Your wobbly minions will leap, scream, charge, and flap their way to victory or defeat — and either way, the result will be hilarious.
In Eco, the goal is to build an advanced civilization capable of saving itself from a fated impact by a giant planet-killing asteroid… but without destroying the very ecosystem on which your civilization depends. It makes no sense to destroy your world while trying to save it, after all! Eco is still early access, but the devs are committed to their project and have already provided a massive and exciting playable gameplay expanse. Eco is one of those rare games that help players understand something of vital social importance (systems theory) while providing such a deeply engrossing gaming experience that it’s simply a joy to play.
In fact, let me gush about his game. It’s supported by the United Nations and climate organizations from around the world, it’s an incredibly deep simulation backed by real science, and it offers realism while simultaneously providing both fun and beauty. If you get any game this year, get this one.
Britt (12)Video games aren’t just the passions of the players. The developers and designers for the most popular games in the market also hold the same passion.
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Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy.
Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable.
Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Before removing your SIM, carefully remove your iPhone’s case so that we can get to the SIM card tray. Being careful about this is key. Many cases are on very tightly, so take your time to avoid causing damage to your iPhone.
If you kept the SIM removal tool that came with your iPhone, you are good to go. However, you can always gently unfold a paper clip, use the back of an earring, or try another flat, thin tool that will fit in the hole that releases the SIM card tray.
Your SIM card tray will look like a small, oblong oval with a small, round hole next to it. Depending on the model of your iPhone, your SIM card tray location will vary. I’ve created the table below to make finding your SIM card tray easier. Keep in mind that regardless of the model of your iPhone, the SIM card tray will be on the sides and/or edges of your iPhone.
If you cannot locate your SIM tray, check out this handy table:
| iPhone model | Location |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 models | Left-hand side underneath the volume buttons |
| iPhone 11 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone X models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone SE models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 8 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 7 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 6 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 5 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 4 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
The distance of the SIM tray from the associated button noted in this table varies based on the model. Some may be further down, while others are only about an inch away from those buttons.
Here’s where the action happens! Now that you see your SIM tray, there should be a small hole underneath it. You are going to insert the SIM removal tool or paperclip into that hole and give a gentle push to release the tray.
Being gentle but applying pressure is key here. You don’t want to damage the button that releases the tray. Keep in mind that the SIM tray will not come all the way out. It will usually pop partially out and you will pull it the rest of the way.
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature.
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy.
Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable.
Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Before removing your SIM, carefully remove your iPhone’s case so that we can get to the SIM card tray. Being careful about this is key. Many cases are on very tightly, so take your time to avoid causing damage to your iPhone.
If you kept the SIM removal tool that came with your iPhone, you are good to go. However, you can always gently unfold a paper clip, use the back of an earring, or try another flat, thin tool that will fit in the hole that releases the SIM card tray.
Your SIM card tray will look like a small, oblong oval with a small, round hole next to it. Depending on the model of your iPhone, your SIM card tray location will vary. I’ve created the table below to make finding your SIM card tray easier. Keep in mind that regardless of the model of your iPhone, the SIM card tray will be on the sides and/or edges of your iPhone.
If you cannot locate your SIM tray, check out this handy table:
| iPhone model | Location |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 models | Left-hand side underneath the volume buttons |
| iPhone 11 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone X models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone SE models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 8 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 7 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 6 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 5 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 4 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
The distance of the SIM tray from the associated button noted in this table varies based on the model. Some may be further down, while others are only about an inch away from those buttons.
Here’s where the action happens! Now that you see your SIM tray, there should be a small hole underneath it. You are going to insert the SIM removal tool or paperclip into that hole and give a gentle push to release the tray.
Being gentle but applying pressure is key here. You don’t want to damage the button that releases the tray. Keep in mind that the SIM tray will not come all the way out. It will usually pop partially out and you will pull it the rest of the way.
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature.
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy.
Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable.
Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Before removing your SIM, carefully remove your iPhone’s case so that we can get to the SIM card tray. Being careful about this is key. Many cases are on very tightly, so take your time to avoid causing damage to your iPhone.
If you kept the SIM removal tool that came with your iPhone, you are good to go. However, you can always gently unfold a paper clip, use the back of an earring, or try another flat, thin tool that will fit in the hole that releases the SIM card tray.
Your SIM card tray will look like a small, oblong oval with a small, round hole next to it. Depending on the model of your iPhone, your SIM card tray location will vary. I’ve created the table below to make finding your SIM card tray easier. Keep in mind that regardless of the model of your iPhone, the SIM card tray will be on the sides and/or edges of your iPhone.
If you cannot locate your SIM tray, check out this handy table:
| iPhone model | Location |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 models | Left-hand side underneath the volume buttons |
| iPhone 11 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone X models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone SE models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 8 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 7 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 6 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 5 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 4 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
The distance of the SIM tray from the associated button noted in this table varies based on the model. Some may be further down, while others are only about an inch away from those buttons.
Here’s where the action happens! Now that you see your SIM tray, there should be a small hole underneath it. You are going to insert the SIM removal tool or paperclip into that hole and give a gentle push to release the tray.
Being gentle but applying pressure is key here. You don’t want to damage the button that releases the tray. Keep in mind that the SIM tray will not come all the way out. It will usually pop partially out and you will pull it the rest of the way.
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature.
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy.
Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable.
Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Before removing your SIM, carefully remove your iPhone’s case so that we can get to the SIM card tray. Being careful about this is key. Many cases are on very tightly, so take your time to avoid causing damage to your iPhone.
Before removing your SIM, carefully remove your iPhone’s case so that we can get to the SIM card tray. Being careful about this is key. Many cases are on very tightly, so take your time to avoid causing damage to your iPhone.
If you kept the SIM removal tool that came with your iPhone, you are good to go. However, you can always gently unfold a paper clip, use the back of an earring, or try another flat, thin tool that will fit in the hole that releases the SIM card tray.
If you kept the SIM removal tool that came with your iPhone, you are good to go. However, you can always gently unfold a paper clip, use the back of an earring, or try another flat, thin tool that will fit in the hole that releases the SIM card tray.
Your SIM card tray will look like a small, oblong oval with a small, round hole next to it. Depending on the model of your iPhone, your SIM card tray location will vary. I’ve created the table below to make finding your SIM card tray easier. Keep in mind that regardless of the model of your iPhone, the SIM card tray will be on the sides and/or edges of your iPhone.
If you cannot locate your SIM tray, check out this handy table:
| iPhone model | Location |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 models | Left-hand side underneath the volume buttons |
| iPhone 11 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone X models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone SE models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 8 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 7 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 6 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 5 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 4 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
The distance of the SIM tray from the associated button noted in this table varies based on the model. Some may be further down, while others are only about an inch away from those buttons.
Your SIM card tray will look like a small, oblong oval with a small, round hole next to it. Depending on the model of your iPhone, your SIM card tray location will vary. I’ve created the table below to make finding your SIM card tray easier. Keep in mind that regardless of the model of your iPhone, the SIM card tray will be on the sides and/or edges of your iPhone.
If you cannot locate your SIM tray, check out this handy table:
| iPhone model | Location |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 models | Left-hand side underneath the volume buttons |
| iPhone 11 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone X models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone SE models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 8 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 7 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 6 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 5 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 4 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
The distance of the SIM tray from the associated button noted in this table varies based on the model. Some may be further down, while others are only about an inch away from those buttons.
| iPhone model | Location |
|---|---|
| iPhone 12 models | Left-hand side underneath the volume buttons |
| iPhone 11 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone X models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone SE models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 8 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 7 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 6 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 5 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
| iPhone 4 models | Right-hand side underneath the power button |
Here’s where the action happens! Now that you see your SIM tray, there should be a small hole underneath it. You are going to insert the SIM removal tool or paperclip into that hole and give a gentle push to release the tray.
Being gentle but applying pressure is key here. You don’t want to damage the button that releases the tray. Keep in mind that the SIM tray will not come all the way out. It will usually pop partially out and you will pull it the rest of the way.
Here’s where the action happens! Now that you see your SIM tray, there should be a small hole underneath it. You are going to insert the SIM removal tool or paperclip into that hole and give a gentle push to release the tray.
Being gentle but applying pressure is key here. You don’t want to damage the button that releases the tray. Keep in mind that the SIM tray will not come all the way out. It will usually pop partially out and you will pull it the rest of the way.
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature.
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature.
Continue readingChristina@cgerard23
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Christina (68)Backing up your iPhone is crucial to avoid data loss. Much of the data on your iPhone, or other iOS or iPadOS products, is priceless. Losing pictures you can’t get back is the worst feeling. Trust me. Taking backing up seriously, and understanding your backup options is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, as an iPhone user.
Not all backup methods are created equal. Backing up to iCloud and iTunes are very different processes. Not only is the backup process different, but what data is being backed up is different too. Likely, you have data that is not being backed up, that is actually being stored differently, or is not being stored at all.
To protect your priceless data, figure out what backup method you prefer, what data you need backed up, and create a consistent plan that protects that data and prevents data loss.
In this guide, I illustrate the different backup methods and what data is being backed up. I also delve into data that is syncing to iCloud versus being part of a backup, so that you know how to best manage your data.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Backing up to iCloud is an automatic process, which you have to turn on in your iCloud settings, that allows your iPhone to backup once in every 24 hour period as long as your device is plugged into its charger, connected to wifi, and on its lock screen. Of course, it also requires that you are properly signed into iCloud and that the iCloud has enough storage space for the data your iPhone is attempting to backup.
Most people backup to iCloud because it is easier, less time-consuming, and automatic by default. Since Apple products are all about convenience, it’s ideal to back up to iCloud. Usually, this is the method I recommend to most iPhone users, especially considering that physical backups take dedication and regularity. If you are, or are considering, backing up to iCloud, you should know exactly what iCloud does and doesn’t back up.
The below table shows what the iCloud will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iCloud | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
To check out a more comprehensive list visit support.apple.com. Apple has many articles available for iPhone and Apple users so that they have important information available to them.
iTunes backups are manual backups done with the use of a PC or Mac by plugging your iPhone into the computer to backup your data onto the hard drive of that computer. This process is actually faster than an iCloud backup, but because it is not automatic, it is still taking up more time than an automatic iCloud backup. This is because iCloud backups use Wi-Fi. A wired connection will always be faster, though variables do occur.
In order to use iTunes backup, you must have a computer with iTunes installed (and up to date), your iPhone should be on the latest iOS, and your computer must have the necessary storage for the data being backed up from your iPhone.
If you have chosen this method of backing up, or are considering it, look at the table below. There is also some data that will not backup via iTunes. Remember, that if something happens to the computer you are backing up to, the data on that computer from your iPhone can be lost.
The below table shows what iTunes will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iTunes | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Activity data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Health data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Keychain data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Content from the iTunes and App Stores | No | N/A |
| Content synced from Finder or iTunes | No | N/A |
When backing up to a PC or Mac via iTunes, you will be asked if you would like to encrypt the backup, so if you are wanting some of the above data to backup, note that this feature may need to be on as noted in the table.
This is where most people understandably get a bit confused about where certain important data is, since it is not being backed up. There is some data, that is instantaneously syncing to iCloud instead of being part of the backup process. This is true of particular data if certain features are on.
In the table below, I list those data types and their associated features to make it more clear.
| Data type | Feature | If on | If off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App data | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Photos and videos | iCloud Syncing with Photo Library | Syncing | Backing up |
| Music Libary | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Notes | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
To see if your data is backing up, or syncing to iCloud, follow these steps:
If the green toggle is on to the right, or it says “on,” that data is syncing to iCloud. There are a few downsides to this and a few perks:
There are some major differences in how the backup process works via iCloud versus iTunes. To illustrate the differences, view the table below:
| Factors | iCloud | iTunes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage size | Up to 2TB | Dependent on size computer hard drive |
| Storage location | iCloud | Computer hard drive |
| Encrypted backups | By default with the use of Apple ID and password | By turning backup encryption on |
| Backup location and access | iCloud and iCloud.com | Computer hard drive and files |
| Time | Dependent on Wi-Fi and data size | Usually minutes |
| User Effort | Automatic so minimal effort | Can be accomplished in a few minutes with a good connection |
To view a thorough comparison of the above data from Apple visit support.apple.com
Note that the decision you make to back up your data is based on your personal preferences, tech skill level, and convenience. As long as you have a backup of your data that is safe, choose the method that works best for you and trust the process.
When it comes to backing up your iPhone, I always recommend automatic backups.
Christina (68)Backing up your iPhone is crucial to avoid data loss. Much of the data on your iPhone, or other iOS or iPadOS products, is priceless. Losing pictures you can’t get back is the worst feeling. Trust me. Taking backing up seriously, and understanding your backup options is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, as an iPhone user.
Not all backup methods are created equal. Backing up to iCloud and iTunes are very different processes. Not only is the backup process different, but what data is being backed up is different too. Likely, you have data that is not being backed up, that is actually being stored differently, or is not being stored at all.
To protect your priceless data, figure out what backup method you prefer, what data you need backed up, and create a consistent plan that protects that data and prevents data loss.
In this guide, I illustrate the different backup methods and what data is being backed up. I also delve into data that is syncing to iCloud versus being part of a backup, so that you know how to best manage your data.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Backing up to iCloud is an automatic process, which you have to turn on in your iCloud settings, that allows your iPhone to backup once in every 24 hour period as long as your device is plugged into its charger, connected to wifi, and on its lock screen. Of course, it also requires that you are properly signed into iCloud and that the iCloud has enough storage space for the data your iPhone is attempting to backup.
Most people backup to iCloud because it is easier, less time-consuming, and automatic by default. Since Apple products are all about convenience, it’s ideal to back up to iCloud. Usually, this is the method I recommend to most iPhone users, especially considering that physical backups take dedication and regularity. If you are, or are considering, backing up to iCloud, you should know exactly what iCloud does and doesn’t back up.
The below table shows what the iCloud will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iCloud | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
To check out a more comprehensive list visit support.apple.com. Apple has many articles available for iPhone and Apple users so that they have important information available to them.
iTunes backups are manual backups done with the use of a PC or Mac by plugging your iPhone into the computer to backup your data onto the hard drive of that computer. This process is actually faster than an iCloud backup, but because it is not automatic, it is still taking up more time than an automatic iCloud backup. This is because iCloud backups use Wi-Fi. A wired connection will always be faster, though variables do occur.
In order to use iTunes backup, you must have a computer with iTunes installed (and up to date), your iPhone should be on the latest iOS, and your computer must have the necessary storage for the data being backed up from your iPhone.
If you have chosen this method of backing up, or are considering it, look at the table below. There is also some data that will not backup via iTunes. Remember, that if something happens to the computer you are backing up to, the data on that computer from your iPhone can be lost.
The below table shows what iTunes will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iTunes | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Activity data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Health data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Keychain data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Content from the iTunes and App Stores | No | N/A |
| Content synced from Finder or iTunes | No | N/A |
When backing up to a PC or Mac via iTunes, you will be asked if you would like to encrypt the backup, so if you are wanting some of the above data to backup, note that this feature may need to be on as noted in the table.
This is where most people understandably get a bit confused about where certain important data is, since it is not being backed up. There is some data, that is instantaneously syncing to iCloud instead of being part of the backup process. This is true of particular data if certain features are on.
In the table below, I list those data types and their associated features to make it more clear.
| Data type | Feature | If on | If off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App data | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Photos and videos | iCloud Syncing with Photo Library | Syncing | Backing up |
| Music Libary | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Notes | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
To see if your data is backing up, or syncing to iCloud, follow these steps:
If the green toggle is on to the right, or it says “on,” that data is syncing to iCloud. There are a few downsides to this and a few perks:
There are some major differences in how the backup process works via iCloud versus iTunes. To illustrate the differences, view the table below:
| Factors | iCloud | iTunes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage size | Up to 2TB | Dependent on size computer hard drive |
| Storage location | iCloud | Computer hard drive |
| Encrypted backups | By default with the use of Apple ID and password | By turning backup encryption on |
| Backup location and access | iCloud and iCloud.com | Computer hard drive and files |
| Time | Dependent on Wi-Fi and data size | Usually minutes |
| User Effort | Automatic so minimal effort | Can be accomplished in a few minutes with a good connection |
To view a thorough comparison of the above data from Apple visit support.apple.com
Note that the decision you make to back up your data is based on your personal preferences, tech skill level, and convenience. As long as you have a backup of your data that is safe, choose the method that works best for you and trust the process.
When it comes to backing up your iPhone, I always recommend automatic backups.
Christina (68)Backing up your iPhone is crucial to avoid data loss. Much of the data on your iPhone, or other iOS or iPadOS products, is priceless. Losing pictures you can’t get back is the worst feeling. Trust me. Taking backing up seriously, and understanding your backup options is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, as an iPhone user.
Not all backup methods are created equal. Backing up to iCloud and iTunes are very different processes. Not only is the backup process different, but what data is being backed up is different too. Likely, you have data that is not being backed up, that is actually being stored differently, or is not being stored at all.
To protect your priceless data, figure out what backup method you prefer, what data you need backed up, and create a consistent plan that protects that data and prevents data loss.
In this guide, I illustrate the different backup methods and what data is being backed up. I also delve into data that is syncing to iCloud versus being part of a backup, so that you know how to best manage your data.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Backing up to iCloud is an automatic process, which you have to turn on in your iCloud settings, that allows your iPhone to backup once in every 24 hour period as long as your device is plugged into its charger, connected to wifi, and on its lock screen. Of course, it also requires that you are properly signed into iCloud and that the iCloud has enough storage space for the data your iPhone is attempting to backup.
Most people backup to iCloud because it is easier, less time-consuming, and automatic by default. Since Apple products are all about convenience, it’s ideal to back up to iCloud. Usually, this is the method I recommend to most iPhone users, especially considering that physical backups take dedication and regularity. If you are, or are considering, backing up to iCloud, you should know exactly what iCloud does and doesn’t back up.
The below table shows what the iCloud will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iCloud | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
To check out a more comprehensive list visit support.apple.com. Apple has many articles available for iPhone and Apple users so that they have important information available to them.
iTunes backups are manual backups done with the use of a PC or Mac by plugging your iPhone into the computer to backup your data onto the hard drive of that computer. This process is actually faster than an iCloud backup, but because it is not automatic, it is still taking up more time than an automatic iCloud backup. This is because iCloud backups use Wi-Fi. A wired connection will always be faster, though variables do occur.
In order to use iTunes backup, you must have a computer with iTunes installed (and up to date), your iPhone should be on the latest iOS, and your computer must have the necessary storage for the data being backed up from your iPhone.
If you have chosen this method of backing up, or are considering it, look at the table below. There is also some data that will not backup via iTunes. Remember, that if something happens to the computer you are backing up to, the data on that computer from your iPhone can be lost.
The below table shows what iTunes will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iTunes | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Activity data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Health data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Keychain data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Content from the iTunes and App Stores | No | N/A |
| Content synced from Finder or iTunes | No | N/A |
When backing up to a PC or Mac via iTunes, you will be asked if you would like to encrypt the backup, so if you are wanting some of the above data to backup, note that this feature may need to be on as noted in the table.
This is where most people understandably get a bit confused about where certain important data is, since it is not being backed up. There is some data, that is instantaneously syncing to iCloud instead of being part of the backup process. This is true of particular data if certain features are on.
In the table below, I list those data types and their associated features to make it more clear.
| Data type | Feature | If on | If off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App data | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Photos and videos | iCloud Syncing with Photo Library | Syncing | Backing up |
| Music Libary | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Notes | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
To see if your data is backing up, or syncing to iCloud, follow these steps:
If the green toggle is on to the right, or it says “on,” that data is syncing to iCloud. There are a few downsides to this and a few perks:
There are some major differences in how the backup process works via iCloud versus iTunes. To illustrate the differences, view the table below:
| Factors | iCloud | iTunes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage size | Up to 2TB | Dependent on size computer hard drive |
| Storage location | iCloud | Computer hard drive |
| Encrypted backups | By default with the use of Apple ID and password | By turning backup encryption on |
| Backup location and access | iCloud and iCloud.com | Computer hard drive and files |
| Time | Dependent on Wi-Fi and data size | Usually minutes |
| User Effort | Automatic so minimal effort | Can be accomplished in a few minutes with a good connection |
To view a thorough comparison of the above data from Apple visit support.apple.com
Note that the decision you make to back up your data is based on your personal preferences, tech skill level, and convenience. As long as you have a backup of your data that is safe, choose the method that works best for you and trust the process.
When it comes to backing up your iPhone, I always recommend automatic backups.
Christina (68)Backing up your iPhone is crucial to avoid data loss. Much of the data on your iPhone, or other iOS or iPadOS products, is priceless. Losing pictures you can’t get back is the worst feeling. Trust me. Taking backing up seriously, and understanding your backup options is one of the most important things you can do for yourself, as an iPhone user.
Not all backup methods are created equal. Backing up to iCloud and iTunes are very different processes. Not only is the backup process different, but what data is being backed up is different too. Likely, you have data that is not being backed up, that is actually being stored differently, or is not being stored at all.
To protect your priceless data, figure out what backup method you prefer, what data you need backed up, and create a consistent plan that protects that data and prevents data loss.
In this guide, I illustrate the different backup methods and what data is being backed up. I also delve into data that is syncing to iCloud versus being part of a backup, so that you know how to best manage your data.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Christina (68) | iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Backing up to iCloud is an automatic process, which you have to turn on in your iCloud settings, that allows your iPhone to backup once in every 24 hour period as long as your device is plugged into its charger, connected to wifi, and on its lock screen. Of course, it also requires that you are properly signed into iCloud and that the iCloud has enough storage space for the data your iPhone is attempting to backup.
Most people backup to iCloud because it is easier, less time-consuming, and automatic by default. Since Apple products are all about convenience, it’s ideal to back up to iCloud. Usually, this is the method I recommend to most iPhone users, especially considering that physical backups take dedication and regularity. If you are, or are considering, backing up to iCloud, you should know exactly what iCloud does and doesn’t back up.
The below table shows what the iCloud will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iCloud | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
To check out a more comprehensive list visit support.apple.com. Apple has many articles available for iPhone and Apple users so that they have important information available to them.
Backing up to iCloud is an automatic process, which you have to turn on in your iCloud settings, that allows your iPhone to backup once in every 24 hour period as long as your device is plugged into its charger, connected to wifi, and on its lock screen. Of course, it also requires that you are properly signed into iCloud and that the iCloud has enough storage space for the data your iPhone is attempting to backup.
Most people backup to iCloud because it is easier, less time-consuming, and automatic by default. Since Apple products are all about convenience, it’s ideal to back up to iCloud. Usually, this is the method I recommend to most iPhone users, especially considering that physical backups take dedication and regularity. If you are, or are considering, backing up to iCloud, you should know exactly what iCloud does and doesn’t back up.
The below table shows what the iCloud will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iCloud | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
To check out a more comprehensive list visit support.apple.com. Apple has many articles available for iPhone and Apple users so that they have important information available to them.
| Data type | iCloud | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
iTunes backups are manual backups done with the use of a PC or Mac by plugging your iPhone into the computer to backup your data onto the hard drive of that computer. This process is actually faster than an iCloud backup, but because it is not automatic, it is still taking up more time than an automatic iCloud backup. This is because iCloud backups use Wi-Fi. A wired connection will always be faster, though variables do occur.
In order to use iTunes backup, you must have a computer with iTunes installed (and up to date), your iPhone should be on the latest iOS, and your computer must have the necessary storage for the data being backed up from your iPhone.
If you have chosen this method of backing up, or are considering it, look at the table below. There is also some data that will not backup via iTunes. Remember, that if something happens to the computer you are backing up to, the data on that computer from your iPhone can be lost.
The below table shows what iTunes will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iTunes | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Activity data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Health data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Keychain data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Content from the iTunes and App Stores | No | N/A |
| Content synced from Finder or iTunes | No | N/A |
When backing up to a PC or Mac via iTunes, you will be asked if you would like to encrypt the backup, so if you are wanting some of the above data to backup, note that this feature may need to be on as noted in the table.
iTunes backups are manual backups done with the use of a PC or Mac by plugging your iPhone into the computer to backup your data onto the hard drive of that computer. This process is actually faster than an iCloud backup, but because it is not automatic, it is still taking up more time than an automatic iCloud backup. This is because iCloud backups use Wi-Fi. A wired connection will always be faster, though variables do occur.
In order to use iTunes backup, you must have a computer with iTunes installed (and up to date), your iPhone should be on the latest iOS, and your computer must have the necessary storage for the data being backed up from your iPhone.
If you have chosen this method of backing up, or are considering it, look at the table below. There is also some data that will not backup via iTunes. Remember, that if something happens to the computer you are backing up to, the data on that computer from your iPhone can be lost.
The below table shows what iTunes will back up as long as that data is not also syncing to iCloud. Data cannot be syncing to iCloud and backing up at the same time. It is always one or the other.
| Data type | iTunes | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Activity data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Health data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Keychain data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Content from the iTunes and App Stores | No | N/A |
| Content synced from Finder or iTunes | No | N/A |
When backing up to a PC or Mac via iTunes, you will be asked if you would like to encrypt the backup, so if you are wanting some of the above data to backup, note that this feature may need to be on as noted in the table.
| Data type | iTunes | If syncing to iCloud |
|---|---|---|
| App data | Yes | No |
| Device settings | Yes | N/A |
| Apple watch backups | Yes | N/A |
| Home screen organization | Yes | N/A |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | Yes | No |
| Photos and videos | Yes | No |
| Purchase history | Yes | N/A |
| Ringtones | Yes | N/A |
| Apple Mail data | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Apple Pay data | No | N/A |
| Activity data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Health data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Keychain data | Yes (if backup encryption is on) | N/A |
| Face ID or Touch ID | No | N/A |
| Library data (Music Library or Photo Library) | No | N/A (data is syncing to iCloud) |
| Content from the iTunes and App Stores | No | N/A |
| Content synced from Finder or iTunes | No | N/A |
This is where most people understandably get a bit confused about where certain important data is, since it is not being backed up. There is some data, that is instantaneously syncing to iCloud instead of being part of the backup process. This is true of particular data if certain features are on.
In the table below, I list those data types and their associated features to make it more clear.
| Data type | Feature | If on | If off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App data | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Photos and videos | iCloud Syncing with Photo Library | Syncing | Backing up |
| Music Libary | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Notes | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
To see if your data is backing up, or syncing to iCloud, follow these steps:
If the green toggle is on to the right, or it says “on,” that data is syncing to iCloud. There are a few downsides to this and a few perks:
This is where most people understandably get a bit confused about where certain important data is, since it is not being backed up. There is some data, that is instantaneously syncing to iCloud instead of being part of the backup process. This is true of particular data if certain features are on.
In the table below, I list those data types and their associated features to make it more clear.
| Data type | Feature | If on | If off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App data | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Photos and videos | iCloud Syncing with Photo Library | Syncing | Backing up |
| Music Libary | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Notes | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
To see if your data is backing up, or syncing to iCloud, follow these steps:
If the green toggle is on to the right, or it says “on,” that data is syncing to iCloud. There are a few downsides to this and a few perks:
| Data type | Feature | If on | If off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App data | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| iMessage, MMS, and SMS | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Photos and videos | iCloud Syncing with Photo Library | Syncing | Backing up |
| Music Libary | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
| Notes | iCloud Syncing | Syncing | Backing up |
There are some major differences in how the backup process works via iCloud versus iTunes. To illustrate the differences, view the table below:
| Factors | iCloud | iTunes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage size | Up to 2TB | Dependent on size computer hard drive |
| Storage location | iCloud | Computer hard drive |
| Encrypted backups | By default with the use of Apple ID and password | By turning backup encryption on |
| Backup location and access | iCloud and iCloud.com | Computer hard drive and files |
| Time | Dependent on Wi-Fi and data size | Usually minutes |
| User Effort | Automatic so minimal effort | Can be accomplished in a few minutes with a good connection |
To view a thorough comparison of the above data from Apple visit support.apple.com
Note that the decision you make to back up your data is based on your personal preferences, tech skill level, and convenience. As long as you have a backup of your data that is safe, choose the method that works best for you and trust the process.
There are some major differences in how the backup process works via iCloud versus iTunes. To illustrate the differences, view the table below:
| Factors | iCloud | iTunes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage size | Up to 2TB | Dependent on size computer hard drive |
| Storage location | iCloud | Computer hard drive |
| Encrypted backups | By default with the use of Apple ID and password | By turning backup encryption on |
| Backup location and access | iCloud and iCloud.com | Computer hard drive and files |
| Time | Dependent on Wi-Fi and data size | Usually minutes |
| User Effort | Automatic so minimal effort | Can be accomplished in a few minutes with a good connection |
To view a thorough comparison of the above data from Apple visit support.apple.com
Note that the decision you make to back up your data is based on your personal preferences, tech skill level, and convenience. As long as you have a backup of your data that is safe, choose the method that works best for you and trust the process.
| Factors | iCloud | iTunes |
|---|---|---|
| Storage size | Up to 2TB | Dependent on size computer hard drive |
| Storage location | iCloud | Computer hard drive |
| Encrypted backups | By default with the use of Apple ID and password | By turning backup encryption on |
| Backup location and access | iCloud and iCloud.com | Computer hard drive and files |
| Time | Dependent on Wi-Fi and data size | Usually minutes |
| User Effort | Automatic so minimal effort | Can be accomplished in a few minutes with a good connection |
When it comes to backing up your iPhone, I always recommend automatic backups.
When it comes to backing up your iPhone, I always recommend automatic backups.
Continue readingChristina@cgerard23
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When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
Continue readingChristina@cgerard23
View guideappleiosiphoneView guideappleiosiphoneView guideappleiosiphoneHow to Allow Calls on Other DevicesHow to Delete Albums on an iPhoneHow to Record a FaceTime Call on an iPhoneHow to Hide Pictures on an iPhoneHow to Record a Phone Call on an iPhoneHow to Change Icons on Your iPhone Home ScreenHow to Use Shortcuts on an iPhoneHow to Hide Apps on an iPhoneHow to Scan a QR Code on an iPhone or iPadHow to Clear Cache on an iPhone or iPadFollow @howchoo and learn cool things:
Are you a passionate writer? We’re hiring!
Write for HowchooLike what we do?
DonateWant to support Howchoo? When you buy a tool or material through one of our Amazon links, we earn a small commission as an Amazon Associate.
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
When Apple launched iOS 14, they released widgets as a new, convenient feature. What’s lovely about widgets is that they simplify iPhone user’s app usage, particularly with their favorite or most-used apps. Apple stated their goal was to provide iPhone users, and iOS users overall, an opportunity to view basic information from their most-used apps “at a glance.”
This is extremely helpful when considering apps like the Weather app, the Calendar app, the Clock app, and other productivity applications. Being able to simply bring up your home screen and being able to see the temperature outside, the date and relevant events, and the time is incredibly intuitive and convenient.
This guide will show you how to create and use widgets on your iPhone, or other iOS and iPadOS products, home screen so that you can make your device use even more convenient.
Note: Once thing to consider about widgets is that they can contribute to daily battery life. These steps can be done on iOS and iPadOS products. iOS 14 or later is required since widgets didn’t exist until iOS 14. These steps were done with iOS 14.6 and may change or vary slightly depending on your software version.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.
| iPhone 11 (256GB + Green) | × | 1 |
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
Navigate to your home screen. Once there, press and hold the screen until the apps begin to jiggle and your home screen is able to be edited.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
A plus sign “+” will appear in the upper left-hand corner. Click the plus sign to bring up the widgets and widget options.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
Here, you will notice various widgets. You can scroll down to view all the widgets available to you, or you can type in an app name or type in the “search widgets” search bar to find the widget you want to add. There are tons of widgets from which to choose.
As time passes, more and more widgets are becoming available by third-party developers as well. The options available to you will be based on your iOS version, the built-in apps you have currently installed, and the third-party apps you have currently installed. Not all third-party apps have corresponding widgets.
Once you have found the widget you want, give it a click.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
After selecting the widget you want, you will have various widget sizes to select from. Scroll left to right to find the widget size that you prefer. Once you find the widget size you like best, move to the next step.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
You will be redirected to your home screen. Here, you will be able to see your new widget. You can drag and drop this widget wherever you prefer on your home screen just like you would if you were moving an app. Your apps will adjust as you drag and drop the widget.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
When your widget is in place, click “done.” That’s it! You have a widget now, and you can use it every time you go to your homescreen!
As you can see, I can view the basics of the Calendar app right from my home screen without opening the app. Pretty convenient, right? Of course, if you don’t love the widget, or never use it, you can move to the next step to remove the widget from your home screen.
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
If you decide to remove a widget, you will try the following steps:
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
Whether you’ve bought a new iPhone and need to switch out your SIM cards, got a new SIM card for your iPhone, or are doing some much-needed troubleshooting due to recent cellular service issues, you will need to be able to remove your SIM card. Unfortunately, removing a SIM can be tricky at times, especially if you have never removed your SIM card or don’t consider yourself very tech-savvy. Don’t be intimidated by the SIM removal process, I promise it is easier than it looks. All you need to properly remove your SIM card is your iPhone and a SIM removal tool. Every time you buy an iPhone it comes with a SIM removal tool, which looks a lot like a paperclip. A lot of iPhone users accidentally throw out this handy tool. If you no longer have a SIM removal tool, use a paperclip or the back of an earring. Do not try using anything sharp or easily breakable. Now that you have everything you need to remove your SIM card, let’s get started!
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Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Odin (40)Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40) Continue readingOdinindubitablyodin
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Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)In our yearning for meaning, our enduring quest for connection, we humans often turn to architecture for our release, placing into the buildings around us all our emotional turmoil, hopes, dreams, and beliefs. A temple or a skyscraper can be seen as a reflection of our innermost desires, a monument to our capacity for connection, and our vast imaginations have allowed us to construct works of architecture so complex and awe-inspiring that they serve as art as much, or more, as they serve a functional purpose.
The power of the human imagination is incredible. The great philosopher and historian Yuval Noah Harari wrote, in his book Sapiens, “There are no gods, no nations, no money and no human rights, except in our collective imagination.” The power of human imagination allows us to spend entire generations dedicated to projects that serve some unified purpose, spending our energies and attention in acts of dedication that are glorious and outstanding.
Of all our building efforts, it is perhaps through our various religious feelings that some of the grandest and most gorgeous have come into being. Architectural works that have stood the test of centuries and will stand the test of many more, works that remind all who look upon them (regardless of religion) that our capacity for the construction of grace and beauty at least matches our capacity for dissonance or destruction.
Odin (40)Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
Established: 3rd century CE
Location: Legio near Tel Megiddo, Israel
Can I visit?: To some degree. An official archaeological park is planned but not yet built.
In 2005 prisoners in Isreal made a startling discovery. In the ancient city Megiddo, purported site of the biblical Armageddon, and a location that has seen three thousand years of violent conflict, directly underneath one of the country’s maximum-security prisons, is the remains of what might potentially be the oldest Christian church yet discovered in the Holy Land.
In its earliest days, Christianity was heavily and severely persecuted by Rome, and those who wished to practice were forced to do so in secret. Such was apparently the case with this church, which featured an inscribed table that likely served as an altar, and an incredible mosaic on the floor that was apparently constructed using the funds of a Roman officer named Gaianus who donated his money to the cause (many soldiers were secretly Christian).
The mosaic is gorgeous and, instead of a cross, is rendered with two fish lying side by side, one of the earliest Christian symbols used.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
The mother church of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Etchmiadzin Cathedral was the first cathedral built in ancient Armenia and has been considered as the oldest cathedral in the world. Following the adoption of Christianity, the cathedral was built by Gregory the Illuminator, Armenia’s patron saint.
Called “the focal point of Armenians everywhere,” the cathedral has held massive cultural as well as religious importance for the Armenian people. Considering that the Armenian people were one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as the official state religion (the Roman Empire didn’t convert until Constantine’s baptism in 337), it makes sense that some of the oldest churches would be found there.
As far back as Christianity goes for Etchmiadzin, the roots of worship go deeper, and the Etchmiadzin Cathedral actually rests on the ruins of a temple to the goddess Artemis. In fact, the Etchmiadzin Cathedral has been partially destroyed many times in its history, so the current version rests upon a deep sedimentary layer of historical significance.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
Officially known as the Hagia Sophia Holy Grand Mosque, the Hagia Sophia was originally built as the patriarchal cathedral for Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. After the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, the cathedral was converted into a mosque by the Ottoman Empire after the initial sack of the historical site by Ottoman forces. Though it enjoyed a brief period as a museum under the secular Turkish Republic, it was controversially re-declared as a mosque quite recently in 2020.
Hagia Sophia remains the single greatest example of Byzantine architecture in existence and the complex mathematics required to ensure that the cathedral dome is supported. Using four pendentives (triangular segments of a sphere), the great dome was constructed over the square main building, making it one of the most impressive architectural works of the era.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo was originally constructed outside of Florence, but was slowly swallowed up by the city’s expansion. For three hundred years, the Basilica served as the official cathedral for all of Florence, and during its reconstruction in the 1500s, it saw the influence of some of the most important architects and artists of the age.
The powerful Medici family, a financial and political dynasty that swayed the course of events in Europe for centuries, claimed the Basilica of San Lorenzo as their parish church. In the early 1500s, Pope Leo X commissioned the brilliant artist Michelangelo to design the interior and exterior façades. While the interior was constructed, the exterior design remained unbuilt, with only a wooden model remaining.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The first sanctuary in this location was built in 221 by Pope Callixtus I, right around the same time that the Roman Emperor Elagabalus was being marked for assassination due to sex scandals and his worship of the Syrian sun god Elagabal. It’s easy to forget how many religions were coexisting in Rome during this period in history!
In 2014, the wedding of Prince Amedeo of Belgium, Archduke of Austria-Este to Elisabetta Rosboch von Wolkenstein took place in Santa Maria in Trastevere in a lavish ceremony that followed a Christian tradition where the wedding should take place in the bride’s hometown.
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
The oldest church in Germany, the Cathedral of Trier looks like something from a fairytale. Said to have been originally commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great on the site of a palace dedicated to his mother, Saint Helen. Though it was sacked and destroyed twice, first by the Franks and later by the Vikings, the cathedral was rebuilt grander than ever, and now holds some of the most important relics of Christiandom.
Of the relics preserved within the Cathedral of Trier, the Seamless Robe of Jesus and one of the Holy Nails that were used in the crucifixion itself. The robe was supposedly worn by Jesus shortly before or maybe even during his crucifixion, and legend has it that Saint Helena discovered it and bequeathed it to the city of Trier. Another relic is the skull of Saint Helena herself!
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world by interior measure, at almost 6 total acres, and is considered to be one of the most important holy sites in all of Christianity. The original design for the cathedral was commissioned by Emperor Constantine the Great. Eventually, the church fell into disrepair and was rebuilt in the 1500s. Now, it stands as the largest building in Vatican City and a prominent feature of the Rome skyline.
Built over a small shrine believed to be the final burial place of the Apostle St. Peter. His tomb was smashed by Arab invaders during the 9th century, but tradition has retained the importance of this location and a number of other Popes have been interred nearby.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
An important relic of Byzantine architecture, the church was commissioned in the 6th century by Emperor Justinian and existed as one of the most important centers in Istanbul for centuries, protecting those fleeing from religious persecution, and existing as a monument to Christian worship. In the 16th century, after the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, the church was converted into a mosque and its internal designs were reconfigured to match the Islamic aesthetic, resulting in the destruction of all of the original interior edifice with its marble mosaics.
Legend says that Justinian was accused of plotting to overthrow his uncle, Emperor Justin I, and was sentenced to death. However, before this occurred, the Saints Sergius and Bacchus appeared before the emperor and convinced him of his nephew’s innocence. In gratitude, Justinian promised to build a temple in their honor upon ascending to the throne.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
Built during the reign of Constantine the Great, the original basilica was destroyed in the mid-6th century and rebuilt in the Justinian period a few years later. Incredibly, much of the original architecture remains intact from this second building and has been faithfully restored and preserved throughout the centuries.
In the Christian canon, the church rests over the grotto where Jesus was born. Constantine was attempting to build Christian monuments that connected to the life of Jesus, leading to the first basilica’s construction. However, modern scholarship suggests that a cult to the Roman mythic figure Adonis (formerly the Sumerian god Tammuz) originally claimed the grotto and that it was only later taken over by Christian worshippers.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
In the earliest days of Christianity, people gathered in “house churches” which were simply private residencies, many converted on the interior to provide dedicated services. This allowed people to gather in safety, since Christianity, and many other cults active during the period, were illegal in the Roman Empire.
The Dura-Europos church is the oldest Christian house church yet discovered. Located in the former fortified city of Dura-Europos in Syria, the site was unearthed in the early part of the 20th century and is remarkable for containing the oldest surviving Christian paintings! These include frescos of Adam and Eve, David and Goliath, but the true treasures are the paintings of “The Good Shepherd,” the “Healing of the paralytic,” and “Christ and Peter walking on the Water,” which are probably the earliest depictions of Jesus Christ to exist.
Between 2011-2015 the terrorist group “ISIS” embarked on a propaganda campaign to recapture their idea of “Islamic history”, which included the destruction of many ancient historical sites and artifacts, including the Dura-Europos church. The structure was heavily damaged, and a nearby ancient synagogue was destroyed. ISIS profited from sales of the artifacts it pillaged, selling them to support its flagging terrorist activities.
Luckily, the frescos from the Dura-Europos church had already been safely removed and ensconced in the Yale University art collection, where they can still be enjoyed today.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
One of the oldest and most impressive religious buildings from ancient times, the Temple of Augustus and Livia was dedicated to the deified Roman Imperial couple. A large section of the rear part of the original temple remains intact today, though the rest is a meticulous reconstruction that took almost three decades to complete. Once the seat of political and religious power for the area, it remains central to Vienne, and at night it takes on an otherworldly glow provided by ground lights placed to show off its magnificence.
Sometime during the 5th century CE, the temple was converted into a church, from then on known as the Sainte-Marie-la-Vieille or Notre-Dame-de-la-Vie. The destruction of some parts of the temple followed, as did the addition of interior walls. This led to the accidental preservation of the rest of the original temple structure.
Then, following the French Revolution, the site was secularized, and between 1853 and 1870 was restored to its original glory. Legend has it that Thomas Jefferson passed through during his visit to France in 1784 and fell in love with the style, later ensuring that it would become a foundation for the design of the United States Capitol.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
The State of Eritrea in Eastern Africa boasts one of the oldest monasteries in the world, dating to the 3rd century CE. Every June, thousands of Christians from the Eritrean Orthodox tradition travel to the remote location in the highlands east of the town of Elabered to camp for a night, sing, chant, and celebrate the Virgin Mary who, legend has it, has a special connection to the area.
An ancient legend says that Saint Mary, fleeing King Herod of Judea, with her child Jesus in hand, stayed in the caves of Debre Sina for forty days before moving on and that the big rock there was touched by the hand of God afterward, making it a sacred space. Other legends surrounding the rock claim that Saint Mary appeared there in a vision to a group of shepherd girls, and the modern church is built adjacent to this site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
First excavated in 1905, this site is the purported burial ground of Menas of Alexandria (or Menas of Egypt), a Roman soldier who was martyred for refusing to give up his Christian faith. Though little remains standing today, the base of the buildings are still intact, and archaeologists have uncovered signs of numerous buildings, including a Roman bath, the main basilica church, a smaller church dedicated to Menas’ remains, and several extended living complexes. The site is on the World Heritage Danger list due to poor governmental handling, but plans are in the works to surround the ruins with a protective membrane that will keep them safe from climate and agricultural changes.
According to the tales, a shepherd who later found the site of this burial discovered that the dust of the ground and the nearby water both offered healing for those who were sick and wounded. When word of his ability to heal people spread, Constantine the Great sent his sick daughter there to be healed. She found the body of Menas and, afterward, Constantine ordered that a church be built on the site.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
Imagine being on a picnic and discovering one of the world’s oldest historical monuments? That’s what happened in 1986 when picnic-goers in Suadi Arabia discovered the ruins of the church near the city of Jubail while getting a truck tire free from a sandbank.
Since its discovery the government of Saudi Arabia has done little in the way of protecting the ruins, providing only a meager (and easily penetrated, according to some online commentators) wire fence, which only went up after continued vandalism put the ruins at serious risk. Tourists are not allowed to visit, either, but more interesting is that the government has barred access to archaeologists who would be interested in studying the ruins.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
The oldest Catholic cathedral and second oldest cathedral used by any Christian denomination, Saint Domnius in Croatia is a wonder of the ages. Built near the end of the 3rd century, the original building remains intact today, serving function with very little alteration save for the addition of a late bell tower and some minor restructuring in the 17th century. A number of valuable relics and Christian artistic works reside there today.
The cathedral was originally built as a mausoleum for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Diocletian heavily persecuted Christians during his reign. Saint Domnius was the Bishop of Salona and was beheaded in those same persecutions. It seems somehow fitting that the cathedral dedicated to his name should be built on the resting place of the Emperor who had him killed.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
Odin (40)Humanity has fought wars for about as long as agriculture has existed, but when one thinks of war one might be tempted to think of words like “heroism” and imagine stylized battlefields lit by the explosion of shells, where brave soldiers vie in a desperate struggle for some strategically-vital piece of land. What you probably do not think of is the penguin in charge of those soldiers or the fact that when those soldiers call for support it might come in the form of Pepsi’s navy. Most people would certainly not think about the vital role that a bunch of art school majors played in the Allied victory in World War 2, and few would probably believe that the British military created an entire warship out of ice. And yet, all of these are true pieces of military history, as strange and incredible as anything the most head-in-the-clouds writer could possibly create. They are almost as unbelievable as these unbelievable Google Street Images.
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Christina (68)‘90s cartoons were the best. They were funny, the art was epic, they were child-friendly (most of them at least), and they taught us millennials fundamental lessons that made us who we are today. Now, I don’t want to say they are better than today’s cartoons, because I am sure there are some good cartoons out there teaching kids all the lessons they need to know while keeping them occupied until dinner is ready, but ‘90s cartoons were pretty revolutionary.
They were experimental, unique, hilarious, and though millennials certainly didn’t know it, a majority of cartoons, The Ren & Stimpy Show being one of them, were interesting and entertaining enough to entertain our parents who were probably tired of hearing The Barney Theme Song for the millionth time. From Angry Beavers to Powerpuff Girls Beavis and Butthead, ‘90s cartoons had a plethora of options for every type of kid with every type of interest. Even my dad had a special appreciation for a few of the kid’s shows and cartoons I watched over my morning cereal (he loved watching The Ren & Stimpy Show).
So, this list includes all the best ’90s cartoons that millennials miss, and where to watch them today, if you are feeling the need to take a trip down nostalgia lane.
CatDog is pretty legendary as far as ’90s cartoons go. In CatDog, these conjoined siblings are complete opposites, one a cat and one a dog, who do everything together, though I’m not sure Cat is always happy about that. Cat, who often finds himself annoyed by his brother, Dog, is always up to something when it comes to his somewhat clueless brother. Dog, who is a bit more happy-go-lucky and oblivious, doesn’t usually catch on to Cat’s not-so-nice plans, but at the end of the day, they usually come together when dealing with Winslow and the Greaser Dogs.
What made this show so great was the characters, the situations Cat and Dog seemed to get into, and the catchy theme song that I may or may not be humming as I write these words. It was definitely one of the best theme songs of all time, Nickelodeon really hit it out of the park with this wacky show, and, as a millennial, I miss it a ton.
CatDog first aired on April 4, 1998, and aired its final episode on June 15, 2005.
The Angry Beavers is another ’90s cartoon with two brothers who are very different from one another. These total opposites, Norbert and Daggett Beaver, are constantly encountering wild situation after wild situation. The adjective “angry” being used front and center to describe the brothers is really all prospective watchers needed to know things were going to get interesting when it came to those shenanigans. Norbert, who is a bit angrier and easily agitated, can’t handle all of Dagget’s pranks and jokes, resulting in several arguments and prank wars.
The show was cute, funny, and had just enough action to keep my parents and me interested! Because Norbert and Dagget are two beavers who are newly entering adulthood, the cartoon is one millennials of all ages miss, myself included.
The Angry Beavers first aired on April 19, 1997, and aired its final episode on June 11, 2001.
Third Street School really has a problem with bullying in the epic ’90s cartoon, Recess. What’s great, and pretty revolutionary about this ’90s show is that the kids decide to band together and fight back against the school’s biggest and meanest bullies. T.J, Gretchen, Ashley, Vince, Mikey, and Gus all experienced bullying at one point in time at Third Street School and decided enough is enough. Even though none of them really have much in common, they become close friends that stand up for other kids. Amid the bullying, other various fourth-grade politics come into play and the kids handle them as ethically and soundly as possible, but, most importantly, they handle them as a team.
I know that I learned a thing or two watching Recess, and, as far as ’90s shows go, it was a pretty revolutionary show. Imagine being bullied and coming home to watch this cartoon! There are so many lessons within the show that millennials could put to practical use, which is just lovely and I miss it a bunch!
Recess first aired on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on January 16, 2006.
Professor Utonium had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into when he created these cute, little superheroes. Even though Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles are mere kindergarteners, they pack a mean punch and they don’t mess around when it comes to defeating evil and messing up bad guys. Townsville is definitely much safer with these girls around, saving the day.
What was so great about The Powerpuff Girls were the villains. There was such a vast variety of villains such as Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Sedusa. Millennials know this ’90s cartoon helped to pave the way for cartoon villains.
The Powerpuff Girls first aired on November 18, 1998, and aired its final episode on March 25, 2005.
X-Men: The Animated Series is the animated version of the X-Men universe. As the X-Men, mutated humans with special powers and skillsets, and Charles Xavier try to defeat the always-growing evil in various corporations and the government, they go through a variety of obstacles. Magneto, also a mutant, is another nemesis of the X-Men, since he has decided to fight for evil instead of for good. These superheroes have tight bonds and complicated relationships that come into play throughout the series.
X-Men: The Animated Series set a high bar in the ’90s for future animated superhero-based series and still has a cult-following, which I am sure is mostly made up of millennials.
X-Men: The Animated Series aired its first episode on October 31, 1992, and its final episode aired on September 20, 1997.
Daria was as ’90s as they come in terms of animated series. A moody, ’90s grunge, teenage girl named Daria Morgendorffer tries to survive high school while being the black sheep of her cheery family. Daria’s low, monotone voice, self-esteem and confidence issues, and feeling like nobody understands her (excluding her best friend Jane Lane), is what makes Daria a unique and enjoyable ’90s cartoon.
Though Daria is a bit more grown-up in terms of content, being more appropriate for teens than kids, it was the ’90s animated series that every millennial remembers as one of the best cartoons in the ’90s.
Daria first aired on March 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on January 21, 2002.
The name Courage is pretty ironic. Courage the Cowardly Dog is a bit of a scaredy-cat. Courage, however, is constantly put in situations in which he must overcome his extreme fear and help protect his parents who own the farm they all live on. Even though Courage tries to constantly alert his loved ones to the ongoing danger, the lack of human-to-dog communication usually results in Courage getting a bit of a scalding and never receiving the kudos he so rightly deserves for keeping his family and home safe.
What made Courage the Cowardly Dog so great was the humor, unique artistry, and cute, family-loving Courage. Millenials definitely miss this wholesome dog.
Courage the Cowardly Dog aired on February 18, 1996, and aired its final episode on November 22, 2002.
Rugrats is the ’90s cartoon that took it back to the early years and showed life, friendships, family, and growth from the point of view of the main characters, all of who happen to be… babies. These babies are not to be underestimated. Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, along with other little ones are brave, smart, and caring babies who take on big adventures and are constantly learning and growing through daily life.
Rugrats was an ingenious show in the ’90s making millennials everywhere wonder what the life of a baby looked and felt like. Though some creative, unrealistic liberties were taken, Rugrats is the wholesome ’90s show this millennial certainly misses.
Rugrats aired its first episode on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on August 1, 2004.
Doug is a cartoon about an imaginative boy named Doug Funnie who moved to a new town, Bluffington, with his parents. Doug is 11 years old and is working hard to make friends while going through the typical growing pains most 11-year-olds experience. He has a dog named Porkchop, a best friend named Skeeter Valentine, and a pretty obvious crush on Patti Mayonnaise. All of this would be pretty normal for an 11-year-old, except Doug likes to journal and pretend that he is actually a superhero called Quailman.
Doug made me try liver and onions, Doug’s favorite food, which I still regret, but the point is: it was an iconic ’90s cartoon that millennials loved enough to try liver and onions.
Doug first aired on August 11, 1991, and aired its final episode on June 26, 1999.
The Simpsons is a cartoon about the Simpsons family, who experience their share of challenges in Springfield. Homer and Marge have three kids: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Bart is a skateboarding troublemaker with a secret soft side, Lisa is a do-gooder who thrives in academia, and Maggie is a baby with impressive skills and awareness. While this group of misfits really have very little in common, and Homer fails at the typical dad stuff, they stick together and do their best.
The Simpsons has been around for ages, but started in 1989, and because an American household must-watch. It was such a commonplace occurrence for the family to gether around the TV for the new episode of The Simpsons in the ’90s that there is no doubt millennials miss it.
The Simpsons aired its first episode on December 17, 1989, and aired its final episode on May 23, 2021.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is about three unique-looking monsters who, much like Monster’s, Inc. (not released until after the creation of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters) are learning how to scare people as monsters would do. The monsters, named Oblina, Krumm, and Ickis, are just young monsters starting out the scare community and at the monster training school that they go to. So, they tend to get in a bit more trouble than the average monster would during their daily scares.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was perhaps the most unique cartoon of the ’90s. The art, unique premise, and creative characters made Aaahh!!! Real Monsters an incredibly well-done ’90s cartoon, which no doubt inspired many other cartoons following it.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters aired on October 29, 1994, and aired its final episode on December 6, 1997.
In Dexter’s Laboratory, Dexter is a prodigy with some serious scientific skills, hence “laboratory.” Even though Dexter is only eight years old, he is constantly sneaking off to his very hush-hush laboratory to create mind-blowing inventions and creations that eventually help save the world. He even has an arch-enemy, Mandark. However, with his intelligence and his sister Dee Dee’s support and help, there’s really nothing he cannot do and no tragedy he cannot prevent.
What’s was so exciting about Dexter’s Laboratory in the ’90s, was that the characters were interesting, the dialogue was often hilarious, the style of the cartoon was beautifully done, and there were side-cartoons like Justice Friends.
Dexter’s Laboratory first aired on April 27, 1996, and its final episode aired on November 20, 2003.
The Wild Thornberrys is a cartoon about a rather unusual family, with an anything-but-average lifestyle. Eliza Thornberry and her family, who make documentaries for a living, travel the world, and Eliza uses her special power to help animals. Eliza can speak to animals. She uses this power to honor and save animals in need, often having to sneak around in the process with her chimpanzee. While Nigel narrates the documentaries, Marianne (his wife) works behind the camera.
The family dynamics and wholesome content of this ’90s cartoon made is a must-watch. Not only that, but it was pretty funny at times, particularly when Nigel did something a bit absent-mindedly like hurt himself for the millionth time. I definitely miss this show, and The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
The Wild Thornberrys first aired on September 1st, 1998, and its final episode aired on June 11th, 2004.
The Ren & Stimpy Show, if we boil it down to the basics, was just a cartoon about a dog and cat. Except, it was so much more than that. This Chihuahua, Ren has a bit of an anger issue. He also doesn’t always appreciate his cat friend, who happens to be a bit clueless, Stimpy. While Stimpy considers them best friends, Ren cannot always handle Stimpy’s cluelessness, and that results in some interesting encounters between the two, who really are opposites. The two get themselves into crazy scenarios, travel to space, and the whole nine yards.
Before you think this sounds like CatDog, trust me The Ren & Stimpy Show is its own unique show. I’ve used the word unique in this list a bit more than I would care to admit, but that was what ’90s cartoons were. They were so unique. None was too much like the last. The Ren & Stimpy Show, however, has them all beat in the area of uniqueness. If even my parents laughed watching this show, you know it was good.
The Ren & Stimpy Show first aired on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on October 20, 1996.
In Johnny Bravo, Johnny Bravo is a pretty conceded guy with big har, iconic sunglasses, and greaser-style clothes. Though Johnny Bravo is a muscular, handsome guy, he pretty much scares women away with his overconfidence. As Johnny Bravo gets himself into some crazy situations, various celebrities make appearances as cartoons characters as well, making Johnny Bravo an exciting watch, since you never knew what celebrity would appear next.
Johnny Bravo was a silly, funny, ironic comedy-cartoon in the ’90s and early ’00s. If you are a millennial, you didn’t even need to watch the cartoon to remember it, making it a crucial part of ’90s popculture.
Johnny Bravo first aired on July 14, 1997, and its last episode aired on August 27, 2004.
In The Magic School Bus, the iconic science teacher Ms. Frizzle takes a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. She takes her students on trips in the magic school bus to show them real-life examples of science, letting them swim with the fishes, explore plant anatomy, and so much more. Ms. Frizzle is the ideal science teacher, who understands that science can be interesting and that hands-on learning is so much better!
The Magic School Bus is perhaps the most ’90s of the bunch. Scholastic really hit it out of the park with The Magic School Bus. It was fun, taught me so much as a growing millennial, and there was a cute lizard (a chameleon named Liz). What else does a good ’90s cartoon need?
The Magic School Bus first aired on September 10, 1994, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1997. However, there is a new, modern-day reboot.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is a classic late ’90s cartoon about three best friends who happen to have the same name. this trio is iconic for the many tricks they attempt to play on others to make more money. As they try to fatten their wallets, fail at figuring out girls, and live their “normal” lives on the cul-de-sac they live on, these 12-year-olds make quite the mess of things.
Ed, Edd n Eddy might have come out in the final year of the decade, but it was, nonetheless, a ’90s favorite among millennials, and one I am sure many millennials often reminisce about.
Ed, Edd n Eddy aired its first episode on January 4, 1999, and aired its final episode on June 29, 2008.
Hey Arnold! is a cartoon about a boy named Arnold who has a head shaped like a football. Even though Arnold has a football-shaped head, which is clearly unique, that isn’t really the point of the show. Instead, Hey Arnold! focuses on the many moral, ethical, and relevant experiences that Arnold encounters as a fourth-grader who lives with his grandparents (Phil and Gertrude) and misses his parents. As Arnold navigates life without them, he makes friends, deals with bullies, and deals with a girl who has a major crush on him but isn’t very nice about it, named Helga.
The beautiful ethical moments throughout this before-its-time cartoon, are what made it one of the best ’90s cartoons ever and so memorable for millennials.
Hey Arnold! aired its first episode on July 10, 1996, and its final episode aired on June 8, 2004.
Rocko is a wallaby in Rocko’s Modern Life, who is living daily life in his new place after moving from Australia (as a wallaby would). Rocko makes finds some genuine friendships in Filburt (a turtle) and Heffer (a cow), plus he has a dog named Spunky. However, Rocko is overwhelmed by his new life in the states, adulthood, and his rude neighbor, Mr. Bighead (a toad). Rocko is really like most modern-day adults who are trying t survive adulthood in this cartoon that is entertaining for kids and adults alike.
Rocko’s Modern Life was this millennial’s favorite ’90s cartoon. Hands down, absolutely obsessed with this cartoon as a kid. What makes it so relevant is the topic, of course, but the art and humor were quintessential ’90s gold. I miss this show so much.
Rocko’s Modern Life first aired on September 18, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 24, 1996.
In Pinky and the Brain, Brain is a diabolical genius who also happens to be a mouse. Pinky, his right-hand mouse, who is not his first pick, tries his best to assist Brain in his evil plans to take over the world, but doesn’t quite grasp the plans and ends up being a constant source of frustration for Brain. These lab mice have actually been genetically altered at Acme Labs, where they are tested on, making Brain’s plans even more difficult. If only he had a better side-kick!
Pinky and the Brain is a super ’90s cartoon with an inventive and unique premise: lab mice taking over the world, or trying to at least. Every millennial knows this show was fun and funny and packed with twists and turns we never saw coming.
Pinky and the Brain first aired on September 9, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 14, 1998.
Pepper Ann Pearson is a young girl’s hero in this cartoon, Pepper Ann. She is a radical girl who stands up for herself and what she believes in as she goes through the growing pains of middle school at Hazelnut Middle School. Pepper Ann was pretty before its time in the ’90s, showcasing a girl who defied the norm, followed her heart, and was really a bit of a feminist in her time. She was constantly speaking out about wrongdoing she experiences as a 12-year-old in middle school, and she still knew how to have a good time and enjoy life in the process.
Pepper Ann was another one of my favorite shows, because I so related to her struggles and mindset. Pepper Ann is another big miss for me and many fellow millennials.
Pepper Ann aired its first episode on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on November 18, 2000.
In Pokémon (Animated TV Series), Ash Ketchum has to catch all the Pokémon with Pikachu. Ash beating the Pokémon League is a big deal. So, he explores, catches Pokémon, and works toward being a Pokémon Master. Ash has a nemesis and a ton of obstacles during the process, but he never gives up hope and never stops working toward his goal.
Pokémon is one of the highest grossing anime franchises of all time, with its start in the ’90s. Growing up in the ’90s meant getting gold Pokémon cards with your happy meal, carrying Pokémon trading cards everywhere you went, and watching this genius animated series. While Pokémon is still going strong, there is nothing like the oldies, especially when it comes to cartoons.
Pokémon aired its first episode on April 1, 1997, and though many changes have occurred over the years, is still going strong… kind of. The original release was exponentially different than the show many watch today.
Franklin and Friends is another book-based cartoon series with an animal cast. Franklin and his best friend Bear, along with some of the other neighborhood pals their age, tackle some serious, real-life stuff. They learn lessons, grow, develop long-lasting friendships, and teach their watchers how to do the same.
Franklin and Friends is another cute watch that holds a special place in my millennial heart. Watching this show in the late ’90s and early ’00s with my little brother is a priceless memory I cherish, as I’m sure many millennials do!
Franklin and Friends aired its first episode on November 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on August 8, 2004.
In Arthur, Arthur Read and his best friend Buster Baster deal with a variety of unfortunate everyday scenarios that most kids encounter while attending school as many eight-year-olds do. Arthur is shy and a bit unsure of himself as he grows and tries to thrive. As he overcomes many obstacles with his two sisters, who often seem to be in a rivalry with him, he finds a way to deal with things and learn from difficult scenarios and discovers they are usually on the same team.
Arthur is chock-full of life lessons, meaningful relationships, and mindful examinations, making it ’90s gold. Arthur is surely missed greatly by millennials everywhere.
Arthur aired its first episode on October 7, 1996, and it is still running today!
Animaniacs is an extremely comedic cartoon with Dot, Yakko, Wakko, and other various characters that tend to have a knack for chaos. There is always something bonkers happening on the Warne Bros. Studio and the water tower the siblings live in. While they mean well, they are known for the messes they create and bring into the lives of friends and acquaintances. Where the animaniacs go, trust me, chaos follows.
Animaniacs is major ’90s popculture. Millennials all know the show, even though the timeframe of the cartoon was short-lived in comparison to many other ’90s cartoons. Perhaps, the revivals of the original show or the premise and humor kept it alive. Regardless, Millennials loved and miss this show dearly.
Animaniacs aired its first episode on September 13, 1993, and aired its final episode on November 14, 1998. However, there were revivals. So, the show didn’t stop there.
Beavis and Butt-Head is a comedic show about two brothers, known as Beavis and Butt-Head, who comment on ’90s popculture from the comfort of their couch. Though their comments are all pretty unintelligent and immature, they do tend to be funny in a slapstick comedy kind of way.
Beavis and Butt-Head is known for the brother’s iconic laughs, ridiculous comments, and popculture significance, since the ’90s were extremly MTV-centric. Definitely an iconic, if not a bit unrefined, duo.
Beavis and Butt-head aired its first episode on March 8, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 28, 1997. However, there have been two revivals since, and one of those revivals is currently in the works.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers was a cartoon about cute, lovable, and talented chipmunk detectives. These chipmunks, Chip and Dale and their friends, run Rescue Rangers. Rescue Rangers is their detective agency, and when it comes to solving crimes these guys don’t mess around! They get hands-on, go on adventures, and solve the crimes. These little guys are the real deal and have a lot of passion for what they do.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers is perhaps the cutest of all ’90s cartoons. Millennials are sure to reminisce about these chipmunk heroes.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers first aired on March 4, 1989, and aired its final episode on November 19, 1990.
Tiny Toon Adventures was a classic ’90s show including all the memorable Acme characters such as Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil, and Hamton J. Pig (my personal favorite). However, this is only a small part of a ginormous cast of lovable characters. Tiny Toon Adventures follows those characters as they train at Acme Looniversity to become official Looney Tunes! The cast was bright, funny, and a little chaotic, much like Animaniacs.
Though Animaniacs ended up acting as the cartoon’s replacement, it was a lovely ’90s show with iconic characters, bright and happy art, and nonstop action.
Tiny Toon Adventures aired its first episode on September 14, 1990, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1992.
Little Bear is a cartoon based on a book series by Else Holmelund Minarik. This bear cub, the main character, has some amazing friendships that he’s built with Cat, Owl, Hen, and Emily. They explore the world of play, letting their imaginations go to wondrous places. They also learn valuable lessons and build meaningful bonds.
Little Bear is another wholesome addition to this list. These cute friends stick together through thick and thin, took play time very seriously, and I know they taught this millennial a lesson or two.
Little Bear aired its first episode on November 6, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 7, 2003.
In TaleSpin, and the city of Cape Suzette, millennials take a trip back to the 1930s with Baloo von Bruinwald XIII. Baloo is a pilot who hauls cargo and makes different deliveries, all while his pal Kit Cloudkicker is by his side. This The Jungle Book spinoff is wholesome, sweet, and all about true friendship. Balloo, in a way, unofficially adopts Kit, making this show unbelievably sweet and heartwarming. Together they encounter many dangerous adventures, where they work together as a team to pull through.
As far as the ’90s go, I am not sure a cartoon got sweeter than this. Kit and Balloo are missed by this millennial big time.
TaleSpin aired its first episode on September 7, 1990, and aired its final episode on August 8, 1991.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series is the animated story of Peter Parker and his evolution into Spider-Man. From the super-smart boy next door to the Spider-Man responsible for saving the city all day every day, Spider-Man: The Animated Series. How he saves the city, attends Empire State University, works as a photographer, and maintains his sanity is beyond my comprehension. However, this once normal boy does his best.
The Spider-Man franchise was huge in the ’90s and early ’00s, remember Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst kissing upside down in the rain? This animated series was a huge part of that. It even maintains a pretty big following to this day!
Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired its first episode on November 19, 1994, and its final episode aired on January 31, 1998.
Christina (68)‘90s cartoons were the best. They were funny, the art was epic, they were child-friendly (most of them at least), and they taught us millennials fundamental lessons that made us who we are today. Now, I don’t want to say they are better than today’s cartoons, because I am sure there are some good cartoons out there teaching kids all the lessons they need to know while keeping them occupied until dinner is ready, but ‘90s cartoons were pretty revolutionary.
They were experimental, unique, hilarious, and though millennials certainly didn’t know it, a majority of cartoons, The Ren & Stimpy Show being one of them, were interesting and entertaining enough to entertain our parents who were probably tired of hearing The Barney Theme Song for the millionth time. From Angry Beavers to Powerpuff Girls Beavis and Butthead, ‘90s cartoons had a plethora of options for every type of kid with every type of interest. Even my dad had a special appreciation for a few of the kid’s shows and cartoons I watched over my morning cereal (he loved watching The Ren & Stimpy Show).
So, this list includes all the best ’90s cartoons that millennials miss, and where to watch them today, if you are feeling the need to take a trip down nostalgia lane.
CatDog is pretty legendary as far as ’90s cartoons go. In CatDog, these conjoined siblings are complete opposites, one a cat and one a dog, who do everything together, though I’m not sure Cat is always happy about that. Cat, who often finds himself annoyed by his brother, Dog, is always up to something when it comes to his somewhat clueless brother. Dog, who is a bit more happy-go-lucky and oblivious, doesn’t usually catch on to Cat’s not-so-nice plans, but at the end of the day, they usually come together when dealing with Winslow and the Greaser Dogs.
What made this show so great was the characters, the situations Cat and Dog seemed to get into, and the catchy theme song that I may or may not be humming as I write these words. It was definitely one of the best theme songs of all time, Nickelodeon really hit it out of the park with this wacky show, and, as a millennial, I miss it a ton.
CatDog first aired on April 4, 1998, and aired its final episode on June 15, 2005.
The Angry Beavers is another ’90s cartoon with two brothers who are very different from one another. These total opposites, Norbert and Daggett Beaver, are constantly encountering wild situation after wild situation. The adjective “angry” being used front and center to describe the brothers is really all prospective watchers needed to know things were going to get interesting when it came to those shenanigans. Norbert, who is a bit angrier and easily agitated, can’t handle all of Dagget’s pranks and jokes, resulting in several arguments and prank wars.
The show was cute, funny, and had just enough action to keep my parents and me interested! Because Norbert and Dagget are two beavers who are newly entering adulthood, the cartoon is one millennials of all ages miss, myself included.
The Angry Beavers first aired on April 19, 1997, and aired its final episode on June 11, 2001.
Third Street School really has a problem with bullying in the epic ’90s cartoon, Recess. What’s great, and pretty revolutionary about this ’90s show is that the kids decide to band together and fight back against the school’s biggest and meanest bullies. T.J, Gretchen, Ashley, Vince, Mikey, and Gus all experienced bullying at one point in time at Third Street School and decided enough is enough. Even though none of them really have much in common, they become close friends that stand up for other kids. Amid the bullying, other various fourth-grade politics come into play and the kids handle them as ethically and soundly as possible, but, most importantly, they handle them as a team.
I know that I learned a thing or two watching Recess, and, as far as ’90s shows go, it was a pretty revolutionary show. Imagine being bullied and coming home to watch this cartoon! There are so many lessons within the show that millennials could put to practical use, which is just lovely and I miss it a bunch!
Recess first aired on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on January 16, 2006.
Professor Utonium had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into when he created these cute, little superheroes. Even though Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles are mere kindergarteners, they pack a mean punch and they don’t mess around when it comes to defeating evil and messing up bad guys. Townsville is definitely much safer with these girls around, saving the day.
What was so great about The Powerpuff Girls were the villains. There was such a vast variety of villains such as Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Sedusa. Millennials know this ’90s cartoon helped to pave the way for cartoon villains.
The Powerpuff Girls first aired on November 18, 1998, and aired its final episode on March 25, 2005.
X-Men: The Animated Series is the animated version of the X-Men universe. As the X-Men, mutated humans with special powers and skillsets, and Charles Xavier try to defeat the always-growing evil in various corporations and the government, they go through a variety of obstacles. Magneto, also a mutant, is another nemesis of the X-Men, since he has decided to fight for evil instead of for good. These superheroes have tight bonds and complicated relationships that come into play throughout the series.
X-Men: The Animated Series set a high bar in the ’90s for future animated superhero-based series and still has a cult-following, which I am sure is mostly made up of millennials.
X-Men: The Animated Series aired its first episode on October 31, 1992, and its final episode aired on September 20, 1997.
Daria was as ’90s as they come in terms of animated series. A moody, ’90s grunge, teenage girl named Daria Morgendorffer tries to survive high school while being the black sheep of her cheery family. Daria’s low, monotone voice, self-esteem and confidence issues, and feeling like nobody understands her (excluding her best friend Jane Lane), is what makes Daria a unique and enjoyable ’90s cartoon.
Though Daria is a bit more grown-up in terms of content, being more appropriate for teens than kids, it was the ’90s animated series that every millennial remembers as one of the best cartoons in the ’90s.
Daria first aired on March 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on January 21, 2002.
The name Courage is pretty ironic. Courage the Cowardly Dog is a bit of a scaredy-cat. Courage, however, is constantly put in situations in which he must overcome his extreme fear and help protect his parents who own the farm they all live on. Even though Courage tries to constantly alert his loved ones to the ongoing danger, the lack of human-to-dog communication usually results in Courage getting a bit of a scalding and never receiving the kudos he so rightly deserves for keeping his family and home safe.
What made Courage the Cowardly Dog so great was the humor, unique artistry, and cute, family-loving Courage. Millenials definitely miss this wholesome dog.
Courage the Cowardly Dog aired on February 18, 1996, and aired its final episode on November 22, 2002.
Rugrats is the ’90s cartoon that took it back to the early years and showed life, friendships, family, and growth from the point of view of the main characters, all of who happen to be… babies. These babies are not to be underestimated. Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, along with other little ones are brave, smart, and caring babies who take on big adventures and are constantly learning and growing through daily life.
Rugrats was an ingenious show in the ’90s making millennials everywhere wonder what the life of a baby looked and felt like. Though some creative, unrealistic liberties were taken, Rugrats is the wholesome ’90s show this millennial certainly misses.
Rugrats aired its first episode on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on August 1, 2004.
Doug is a cartoon about an imaginative boy named Doug Funnie who moved to a new town, Bluffington, with his parents. Doug is 11 years old and is working hard to make friends while going through the typical growing pains most 11-year-olds experience. He has a dog named Porkchop, a best friend named Skeeter Valentine, and a pretty obvious crush on Patti Mayonnaise. All of this would be pretty normal for an 11-year-old, except Doug likes to journal and pretend that he is actually a superhero called Quailman.
Doug made me try liver and onions, Doug’s favorite food, which I still regret, but the point is: it was an iconic ’90s cartoon that millennials loved enough to try liver and onions.
Doug first aired on August 11, 1991, and aired its final episode on June 26, 1999.
The Simpsons is a cartoon about the Simpsons family, who experience their share of challenges in Springfield. Homer and Marge have three kids: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Bart is a skateboarding troublemaker with a secret soft side, Lisa is a do-gooder who thrives in academia, and Maggie is a baby with impressive skills and awareness. While this group of misfits really have very little in common, and Homer fails at the typical dad stuff, they stick together and do their best.
The Simpsons has been around for ages, but started in 1989, and because an American household must-watch. It was such a commonplace occurrence for the family to gether around the TV for the new episode of The Simpsons in the ’90s that there is no doubt millennials miss it.
The Simpsons aired its first episode on December 17, 1989, and aired its final episode on May 23, 2021.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is about three unique-looking monsters who, much like Monster’s, Inc. (not released until after the creation of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters) are learning how to scare people as monsters would do. The monsters, named Oblina, Krumm, and Ickis, are just young monsters starting out the scare community and at the monster training school that they go to. So, they tend to get in a bit more trouble than the average monster would during their daily scares.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was perhaps the most unique cartoon of the ’90s. The art, unique premise, and creative characters made Aaahh!!! Real Monsters an incredibly well-done ’90s cartoon, which no doubt inspired many other cartoons following it.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters aired on October 29, 1994, and aired its final episode on December 6, 1997.
In Dexter’s Laboratory, Dexter is a prodigy with some serious scientific skills, hence “laboratory.” Even though Dexter is only eight years old, he is constantly sneaking off to his very hush-hush laboratory to create mind-blowing inventions and creations that eventually help save the world. He even has an arch-enemy, Mandark. However, with his intelligence and his sister Dee Dee’s support and help, there’s really nothing he cannot do and no tragedy he cannot prevent.
What’s was so exciting about Dexter’s Laboratory in the ’90s, was that the characters were interesting, the dialogue was often hilarious, the style of the cartoon was beautifully done, and there were side-cartoons like Justice Friends.
Dexter’s Laboratory first aired on April 27, 1996, and its final episode aired on November 20, 2003.
The Wild Thornberrys is a cartoon about a rather unusual family, with an anything-but-average lifestyle. Eliza Thornberry and her family, who make documentaries for a living, travel the world, and Eliza uses her special power to help animals. Eliza can speak to animals. She uses this power to honor and save animals in need, often having to sneak around in the process with her chimpanzee. While Nigel narrates the documentaries, Marianne (his wife) works behind the camera.
The family dynamics and wholesome content of this ’90s cartoon made is a must-watch. Not only that, but it was pretty funny at times, particularly when Nigel did something a bit absent-mindedly like hurt himself for the millionth time. I definitely miss this show, and The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
The Wild Thornberrys first aired on September 1st, 1998, and its final episode aired on June 11th, 2004.
The Ren & Stimpy Show, if we boil it down to the basics, was just a cartoon about a dog and cat. Except, it was so much more than that. This Chihuahua, Ren has a bit of an anger issue. He also doesn’t always appreciate his cat friend, who happens to be a bit clueless, Stimpy. While Stimpy considers them best friends, Ren cannot always handle Stimpy’s cluelessness, and that results in some interesting encounters between the two, who really are opposites. The two get themselves into crazy scenarios, travel to space, and the whole nine yards.
Before you think this sounds like CatDog, trust me The Ren & Stimpy Show is its own unique show. I’ve used the word unique in this list a bit more than I would care to admit, but that was what ’90s cartoons were. They were so unique. None was too much like the last. The Ren & Stimpy Show, however, has them all beat in the area of uniqueness. If even my parents laughed watching this show, you know it was good.
The Ren & Stimpy Show first aired on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on October 20, 1996.
In Johnny Bravo, Johnny Bravo is a pretty conceded guy with big har, iconic sunglasses, and greaser-style clothes. Though Johnny Bravo is a muscular, handsome guy, he pretty much scares women away with his overconfidence. As Johnny Bravo gets himself into some crazy situations, various celebrities make appearances as cartoons characters as well, making Johnny Bravo an exciting watch, since you never knew what celebrity would appear next.
Johnny Bravo was a silly, funny, ironic comedy-cartoon in the ’90s and early ’00s. If you are a millennial, you didn’t even need to watch the cartoon to remember it, making it a crucial part of ’90s popculture.
Johnny Bravo first aired on July 14, 1997, and its last episode aired on August 27, 2004.
In The Magic School Bus, the iconic science teacher Ms. Frizzle takes a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. She takes her students on trips in the magic school bus to show them real-life examples of science, letting them swim with the fishes, explore plant anatomy, and so much more. Ms. Frizzle is the ideal science teacher, who understands that science can be interesting and that hands-on learning is so much better!
The Magic School Bus is perhaps the most ’90s of the bunch. Scholastic really hit it out of the park with The Magic School Bus. It was fun, taught me so much as a growing millennial, and there was a cute lizard (a chameleon named Liz). What else does a good ’90s cartoon need?
The Magic School Bus first aired on September 10, 1994, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1997. However, there is a new, modern-day reboot.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is a classic late ’90s cartoon about three best friends who happen to have the same name. this trio is iconic for the many tricks they attempt to play on others to make more money. As they try to fatten their wallets, fail at figuring out girls, and live their “normal” lives on the cul-de-sac they live on, these 12-year-olds make quite the mess of things.
Ed, Edd n Eddy might have come out in the final year of the decade, but it was, nonetheless, a ’90s favorite among millennials, and one I am sure many millennials often reminisce about.
Ed, Edd n Eddy aired its first episode on January 4, 1999, and aired its final episode on June 29, 2008.
Hey Arnold! is a cartoon about a boy named Arnold who has a head shaped like a football. Even though Arnold has a football-shaped head, which is clearly unique, that isn’t really the point of the show. Instead, Hey Arnold! focuses on the many moral, ethical, and relevant experiences that Arnold encounters as a fourth-grader who lives with his grandparents (Phil and Gertrude) and misses his parents. As Arnold navigates life without them, he makes friends, deals with bullies, and deals with a girl who has a major crush on him but isn’t very nice about it, named Helga.
The beautiful ethical moments throughout this before-its-time cartoon, are what made it one of the best ’90s cartoons ever and so memorable for millennials.
Hey Arnold! aired its first episode on July 10, 1996, and its final episode aired on June 8, 2004.
Rocko is a wallaby in Rocko’s Modern Life, who is living daily life in his new place after moving from Australia (as a wallaby would). Rocko makes finds some genuine friendships in Filburt (a turtle) and Heffer (a cow), plus he has a dog named Spunky. However, Rocko is overwhelmed by his new life in the states, adulthood, and his rude neighbor, Mr. Bighead (a toad). Rocko is really like most modern-day adults who are trying t survive adulthood in this cartoon that is entertaining for kids and adults alike.
Rocko’s Modern Life was this millennial’s favorite ’90s cartoon. Hands down, absolutely obsessed with this cartoon as a kid. What makes it so relevant is the topic, of course, but the art and humor were quintessential ’90s gold. I miss this show so much.
Rocko’s Modern Life first aired on September 18, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 24, 1996.
In Pinky and the Brain, Brain is a diabolical genius who also happens to be a mouse. Pinky, his right-hand mouse, who is not his first pick, tries his best to assist Brain in his evil plans to take over the world, but doesn’t quite grasp the plans and ends up being a constant source of frustration for Brain. These lab mice have actually been genetically altered at Acme Labs, where they are tested on, making Brain’s plans even more difficult. If only he had a better side-kick!
Pinky and the Brain is a super ’90s cartoon with an inventive and unique premise: lab mice taking over the world, or trying to at least. Every millennial knows this show was fun and funny and packed with twists and turns we never saw coming.
Pinky and the Brain first aired on September 9, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 14, 1998.
Pepper Ann Pearson is a young girl’s hero in this cartoon, Pepper Ann. She is a radical girl who stands up for herself and what she believes in as she goes through the growing pains of middle school at Hazelnut Middle School. Pepper Ann was pretty before its time in the ’90s, showcasing a girl who defied the norm, followed her heart, and was really a bit of a feminist in her time. She was constantly speaking out about wrongdoing she experiences as a 12-year-old in middle school, and she still knew how to have a good time and enjoy life in the process.
Pepper Ann was another one of my favorite shows, because I so related to her struggles and mindset. Pepper Ann is another big miss for me and many fellow millennials.
Pepper Ann aired its first episode on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on November 18, 2000.
In Pokémon (Animated TV Series), Ash Ketchum has to catch all the Pokémon with Pikachu. Ash beating the Pokémon League is a big deal. So, he explores, catches Pokémon, and works toward being a Pokémon Master. Ash has a nemesis and a ton of obstacles during the process, but he never gives up hope and never stops working toward his goal.
Pokémon is one of the highest grossing anime franchises of all time, with its start in the ’90s. Growing up in the ’90s meant getting gold Pokémon cards with your happy meal, carrying Pokémon trading cards everywhere you went, and watching this genius animated series. While Pokémon is still going strong, there is nothing like the oldies, especially when it comes to cartoons.
Pokémon aired its first episode on April 1, 1997, and though many changes have occurred over the years, is still going strong… kind of. The original release was exponentially different than the show many watch today.
Franklin and Friends is another book-based cartoon series with an animal cast. Franklin and his best friend Bear, along with some of the other neighborhood pals their age, tackle some serious, real-life stuff. They learn lessons, grow, develop long-lasting friendships, and teach their watchers how to do the same.
Franklin and Friends is another cute watch that holds a special place in my millennial heart. Watching this show in the late ’90s and early ’00s with my little brother is a priceless memory I cherish, as I’m sure many millennials do!
Franklin and Friends aired its first episode on November 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on August 8, 2004.
In Arthur, Arthur Read and his best friend Buster Baster deal with a variety of unfortunate everyday scenarios that most kids encounter while attending school as many eight-year-olds do. Arthur is shy and a bit unsure of himself as he grows and tries to thrive. As he overcomes many obstacles with his two sisters, who often seem to be in a rivalry with him, he finds a way to deal with things and learn from difficult scenarios and discovers they are usually on the same team.
Arthur is chock-full of life lessons, meaningful relationships, and mindful examinations, making it ’90s gold. Arthur is surely missed greatly by millennials everywhere.
Arthur aired its first episode on October 7, 1996, and it is still running today!
Animaniacs is an extremely comedic cartoon with Dot, Yakko, Wakko, and other various characters that tend to have a knack for chaos. There is always something bonkers happening on the Warne Bros. Studio and the water tower the siblings live in. While they mean well, they are known for the messes they create and bring into the lives of friends and acquaintances. Where the animaniacs go, trust me, chaos follows.
Animaniacs is major ’90s popculture. Millennials all know the show, even though the timeframe of the cartoon was short-lived in comparison to many other ’90s cartoons. Perhaps, the revivals of the original show or the premise and humor kept it alive. Regardless, Millennials loved and miss this show dearly.
Animaniacs aired its first episode on September 13, 1993, and aired its final episode on November 14, 1998. However, there were revivals. So, the show didn’t stop there.
Beavis and Butt-Head is a comedic show about two brothers, known as Beavis and Butt-Head, who comment on ’90s popculture from the comfort of their couch. Though their comments are all pretty unintelligent and immature, they do tend to be funny in a slapstick comedy kind of way.
Beavis and Butt-Head is known for the brother’s iconic laughs, ridiculous comments, and popculture significance, since the ’90s were extremly MTV-centric. Definitely an iconic, if not a bit unrefined, duo.
Beavis and Butt-head aired its first episode on March 8, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 28, 1997. However, there have been two revivals since, and one of those revivals is currently in the works.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers was a cartoon about cute, lovable, and talented chipmunk detectives. These chipmunks, Chip and Dale and their friends, run Rescue Rangers. Rescue Rangers is their detective agency, and when it comes to solving crimes these guys don’t mess around! They get hands-on, go on adventures, and solve the crimes. These little guys are the real deal and have a lot of passion for what they do.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers is perhaps the cutest of all ’90s cartoons. Millennials are sure to reminisce about these chipmunk heroes.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers first aired on March 4, 1989, and aired its final episode on November 19, 1990.
Tiny Toon Adventures was a classic ’90s show including all the memorable Acme characters such as Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil, and Hamton J. Pig (my personal favorite). However, this is only a small part of a ginormous cast of lovable characters. Tiny Toon Adventures follows those characters as they train at Acme Looniversity to become official Looney Tunes! The cast was bright, funny, and a little chaotic, much like Animaniacs.
Though Animaniacs ended up acting as the cartoon’s replacement, it was a lovely ’90s show with iconic characters, bright and happy art, and nonstop action.
Tiny Toon Adventures aired its first episode on September 14, 1990, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1992.
Little Bear is a cartoon based on a book series by Else Holmelund Minarik. This bear cub, the main character, has some amazing friendships that he’s built with Cat, Owl, Hen, and Emily. They explore the world of play, letting their imaginations go to wondrous places. They also learn valuable lessons and build meaningful bonds.
Little Bear is another wholesome addition to this list. These cute friends stick together through thick and thin, took play time very seriously, and I know they taught this millennial a lesson or two.
Little Bear aired its first episode on November 6, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 7, 2003.
In TaleSpin, and the city of Cape Suzette, millennials take a trip back to the 1930s with Baloo von Bruinwald XIII. Baloo is a pilot who hauls cargo and makes different deliveries, all while his pal Kit Cloudkicker is by his side. This The Jungle Book spinoff is wholesome, sweet, and all about true friendship. Balloo, in a way, unofficially adopts Kit, making this show unbelievably sweet and heartwarming. Together they encounter many dangerous adventures, where they work together as a team to pull through.
As far as the ’90s go, I am not sure a cartoon got sweeter than this. Kit and Balloo are missed by this millennial big time.
TaleSpin aired its first episode on September 7, 1990, and aired its final episode on August 8, 1991.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series is the animated story of Peter Parker and his evolution into Spider-Man. From the super-smart boy next door to the Spider-Man responsible for saving the city all day every day, Spider-Man: The Animated Series. How he saves the city, attends Empire State University, works as a photographer, and maintains his sanity is beyond my comprehension. However, this once normal boy does his best.
The Spider-Man franchise was huge in the ’90s and early ’00s, remember Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst kissing upside down in the rain? This animated series was a huge part of that. It even maintains a pretty big following to this day!
Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired its first episode on November 19, 1994, and its final episode aired on January 31, 1998.
Christina (68)‘90s cartoons were the best. They were funny, the art was epic, they were child-friendly (most of them at least), and they taught us millennials fundamental lessons that made us who we are today. Now, I don’t want to say they are better than today’s cartoons, because I am sure there are some good cartoons out there teaching kids all the lessons they need to know while keeping them occupied until dinner is ready, but ‘90s cartoons were pretty revolutionary.
They were experimental, unique, hilarious, and though millennials certainly didn’t know it, a majority of cartoons, The Ren & Stimpy Show being one of them, were interesting and entertaining enough to entertain our parents who were probably tired of hearing The Barney Theme Song for the millionth time. From Angry Beavers to Powerpuff Girls Beavis and Butthead, ‘90s cartoons had a plethora of options for every type of kid with every type of interest. Even my dad had a special appreciation for a few of the kid’s shows and cartoons I watched over my morning cereal (he loved watching The Ren & Stimpy Show).
So, this list includes all the best ’90s cartoons that millennials miss, and where to watch them today, if you are feeling the need to take a trip down nostalgia lane.
CatDog is pretty legendary as far as ’90s cartoons go. In CatDog, these conjoined siblings are complete opposites, one a cat and one a dog, who do everything together, though I’m not sure Cat is always happy about that. Cat, who often finds himself annoyed by his brother, Dog, is always up to something when it comes to his somewhat clueless brother. Dog, who is a bit more happy-go-lucky and oblivious, doesn’t usually catch on to Cat’s not-so-nice plans, but at the end of the day, they usually come together when dealing with Winslow and the Greaser Dogs.
What made this show so great was the characters, the situations Cat and Dog seemed to get into, and the catchy theme song that I may or may not be humming as I write these words. It was definitely one of the best theme songs of all time, Nickelodeon really hit it out of the park with this wacky show, and, as a millennial, I miss it a ton.
CatDog first aired on April 4, 1998, and aired its final episode on June 15, 2005.
The Angry Beavers is another ’90s cartoon with two brothers who are very different from one another. These total opposites, Norbert and Daggett Beaver, are constantly encountering wild situation after wild situation. The adjective “angry” being used front and center to describe the brothers is really all prospective watchers needed to know things were going to get interesting when it came to those shenanigans. Norbert, who is a bit angrier and easily agitated, can’t handle all of Dagget’s pranks and jokes, resulting in several arguments and prank wars.
The show was cute, funny, and had just enough action to keep my parents and me interested! Because Norbert and Dagget are two beavers who are newly entering adulthood, the cartoon is one millennials of all ages miss, myself included.
The Angry Beavers first aired on April 19, 1997, and aired its final episode on June 11, 2001.
Third Street School really has a problem with bullying in the epic ’90s cartoon, Recess. What’s great, and pretty revolutionary about this ’90s show is that the kids decide to band together and fight back against the school’s biggest and meanest bullies. T.J, Gretchen, Ashley, Vince, Mikey, and Gus all experienced bullying at one point in time at Third Street School and decided enough is enough. Even though none of them really have much in common, they become close friends that stand up for other kids. Amid the bullying, other various fourth-grade politics come into play and the kids handle them as ethically and soundly as possible, but, most importantly, they handle them as a team.
I know that I learned a thing or two watching Recess, and, as far as ’90s shows go, it was a pretty revolutionary show. Imagine being bullied and coming home to watch this cartoon! There are so many lessons within the show that millennials could put to practical use, which is just lovely and I miss it a bunch!
Recess first aired on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on January 16, 2006.
Professor Utonium had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into when he created these cute, little superheroes. Even though Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles are mere kindergarteners, they pack a mean punch and they don’t mess around when it comes to defeating evil and messing up bad guys. Townsville is definitely much safer with these girls around, saving the day.
What was so great about The Powerpuff Girls were the villains. There was such a vast variety of villains such as Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Sedusa. Millennials know this ’90s cartoon helped to pave the way for cartoon villains.
The Powerpuff Girls first aired on November 18, 1998, and aired its final episode on March 25, 2005.
X-Men: The Animated Series is the animated version of the X-Men universe. As the X-Men, mutated humans with special powers and skillsets, and Charles Xavier try to defeat the always-growing evil in various corporations and the government, they go through a variety of obstacles. Magneto, also a mutant, is another nemesis of the X-Men, since he has decided to fight for evil instead of for good. These superheroes have tight bonds and complicated relationships that come into play throughout the series.
X-Men: The Animated Series set a high bar in the ’90s for future animated superhero-based series and still has a cult-following, which I am sure is mostly made up of millennials.
X-Men: The Animated Series aired its first episode on October 31, 1992, and its final episode aired on September 20, 1997.
Daria was as ’90s as they come in terms of animated series. A moody, ’90s grunge, teenage girl named Daria Morgendorffer tries to survive high school while being the black sheep of her cheery family. Daria’s low, monotone voice, self-esteem and confidence issues, and feeling like nobody understands her (excluding her best friend Jane Lane), is what makes Daria a unique and enjoyable ’90s cartoon.
Though Daria is a bit more grown-up in terms of content, being more appropriate for teens than kids, it was the ’90s animated series that every millennial remembers as one of the best cartoons in the ’90s.
Daria first aired on March 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on January 21, 2002.
The name Courage is pretty ironic. Courage the Cowardly Dog is a bit of a scaredy-cat. Courage, however, is constantly put in situations in which he must overcome his extreme fear and help protect his parents who own the farm they all live on. Even though Courage tries to constantly alert his loved ones to the ongoing danger, the lack of human-to-dog communication usually results in Courage getting a bit of a scalding and never receiving the kudos he so rightly deserves for keeping his family and home safe.
What made Courage the Cowardly Dog so great was the humor, unique artistry, and cute, family-loving Courage. Millenials definitely miss this wholesome dog.
Courage the Cowardly Dog aired on February 18, 1996, and aired its final episode on November 22, 2002.
Rugrats is the ’90s cartoon that took it back to the early years and showed life, friendships, family, and growth from the point of view of the main characters, all of who happen to be… babies. These babies are not to be underestimated. Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, along with other little ones are brave, smart, and caring babies who take on big adventures and are constantly learning and growing through daily life.
Rugrats was an ingenious show in the ’90s making millennials everywhere wonder what the life of a baby looked and felt like. Though some creative, unrealistic liberties were taken, Rugrats is the wholesome ’90s show this millennial certainly misses.
Rugrats aired its first episode on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on August 1, 2004.
Doug is a cartoon about an imaginative boy named Doug Funnie who moved to a new town, Bluffington, with his parents. Doug is 11 years old and is working hard to make friends while going through the typical growing pains most 11-year-olds experience. He has a dog named Porkchop, a best friend named Skeeter Valentine, and a pretty obvious crush on Patti Mayonnaise. All of this would be pretty normal for an 11-year-old, except Doug likes to journal and pretend that he is actually a superhero called Quailman.
Doug made me try liver and onions, Doug’s favorite food, which I still regret, but the point is: it was an iconic ’90s cartoon that millennials loved enough to try liver and onions.
Doug first aired on August 11, 1991, and aired its final episode on June 26, 1999.
The Simpsons is a cartoon about the Simpsons family, who experience their share of challenges in Springfield. Homer and Marge have three kids: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Bart is a skateboarding troublemaker with a secret soft side, Lisa is a do-gooder who thrives in academia, and Maggie is a baby with impressive skills and awareness. While this group of misfits really have very little in common, and Homer fails at the typical dad stuff, they stick together and do their best.
The Simpsons has been around for ages, but started in 1989, and because an American household must-watch. It was such a commonplace occurrence for the family to gether around the TV for the new episode of The Simpsons in the ’90s that there is no doubt millennials miss it.
The Simpsons aired its first episode on December 17, 1989, and aired its final episode on May 23, 2021.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is about three unique-looking monsters who, much like Monster’s, Inc. (not released until after the creation of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters) are learning how to scare people as monsters would do. The monsters, named Oblina, Krumm, and Ickis, are just young monsters starting out the scare community and at the monster training school that they go to. So, they tend to get in a bit more trouble than the average monster would during their daily scares.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was perhaps the most unique cartoon of the ’90s. The art, unique premise, and creative characters made Aaahh!!! Real Monsters an incredibly well-done ’90s cartoon, which no doubt inspired many other cartoons following it.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters aired on October 29, 1994, and aired its final episode on December 6, 1997.
In Dexter’s Laboratory, Dexter is a prodigy with some serious scientific skills, hence “laboratory.” Even though Dexter is only eight years old, he is constantly sneaking off to his very hush-hush laboratory to create mind-blowing inventions and creations that eventually help save the world. He even has an arch-enemy, Mandark. However, with his intelligence and his sister Dee Dee’s support and help, there’s really nothing he cannot do and no tragedy he cannot prevent.
What’s was so exciting about Dexter’s Laboratory in the ’90s, was that the characters were interesting, the dialogue was often hilarious, the style of the cartoon was beautifully done, and there were side-cartoons like Justice Friends.
Dexter’s Laboratory first aired on April 27, 1996, and its final episode aired on November 20, 2003.
The Wild Thornberrys is a cartoon about a rather unusual family, with an anything-but-average lifestyle. Eliza Thornberry and her family, who make documentaries for a living, travel the world, and Eliza uses her special power to help animals. Eliza can speak to animals. She uses this power to honor and save animals in need, often having to sneak around in the process with her chimpanzee. While Nigel narrates the documentaries, Marianne (his wife) works behind the camera.
The family dynamics and wholesome content of this ’90s cartoon made is a must-watch. Not only that, but it was pretty funny at times, particularly when Nigel did something a bit absent-mindedly like hurt himself for the millionth time. I definitely miss this show, and The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
The Wild Thornberrys first aired on September 1st, 1998, and its final episode aired on June 11th, 2004.
The Ren & Stimpy Show, if we boil it down to the basics, was just a cartoon about a dog and cat. Except, it was so much more than that. This Chihuahua, Ren has a bit of an anger issue. He also doesn’t always appreciate his cat friend, who happens to be a bit clueless, Stimpy. While Stimpy considers them best friends, Ren cannot always handle Stimpy’s cluelessness, and that results in some interesting encounters between the two, who really are opposites. The two get themselves into crazy scenarios, travel to space, and the whole nine yards.
Before you think this sounds like CatDog, trust me The Ren & Stimpy Show is its own unique show. I’ve used the word unique in this list a bit more than I would care to admit, but that was what ’90s cartoons were. They were so unique. None was too much like the last. The Ren & Stimpy Show, however, has them all beat in the area of uniqueness. If even my parents laughed watching this show, you know it was good.
The Ren & Stimpy Show first aired on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on October 20, 1996.
In Johnny Bravo, Johnny Bravo is a pretty conceded guy with big har, iconic sunglasses, and greaser-style clothes. Though Johnny Bravo is a muscular, handsome guy, he pretty much scares women away with his overconfidence. As Johnny Bravo gets himself into some crazy situations, various celebrities make appearances as cartoons characters as well, making Johnny Bravo an exciting watch, since you never knew what celebrity would appear next.
Johnny Bravo was a silly, funny, ironic comedy-cartoon in the ’90s and early ’00s. If you are a millennial, you didn’t even need to watch the cartoon to remember it, making it a crucial part of ’90s popculture.
Johnny Bravo first aired on July 14, 1997, and its last episode aired on August 27, 2004.
In The Magic School Bus, the iconic science teacher Ms. Frizzle takes a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. She takes her students on trips in the magic school bus to show them real-life examples of science, letting them swim with the fishes, explore plant anatomy, and so much more. Ms. Frizzle is the ideal science teacher, who understands that science can be interesting and that hands-on learning is so much better!
The Magic School Bus is perhaps the most ’90s of the bunch. Scholastic really hit it out of the park with The Magic School Bus. It was fun, taught me so much as a growing millennial, and there was a cute lizard (a chameleon named Liz). What else does a good ’90s cartoon need?
The Magic School Bus first aired on September 10, 1994, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1997. However, there is a new, modern-day reboot.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is a classic late ’90s cartoon about three best friends who happen to have the same name. this trio is iconic for the many tricks they attempt to play on others to make more money. As they try to fatten their wallets, fail at figuring out girls, and live their “normal” lives on the cul-de-sac they live on, these 12-year-olds make quite the mess of things.
Ed, Edd n Eddy might have come out in the final year of the decade, but it was, nonetheless, a ’90s favorite among millennials, and one I am sure many millennials often reminisce about.
Ed, Edd n Eddy aired its first episode on January 4, 1999, and aired its final episode on June 29, 2008.
Hey Arnold! is a cartoon about a boy named Arnold who has a head shaped like a football. Even though Arnold has a football-shaped head, which is clearly unique, that isn’t really the point of the show. Instead, Hey Arnold! focuses on the many moral, ethical, and relevant experiences that Arnold encounters as a fourth-grader who lives with his grandparents (Phil and Gertrude) and misses his parents. As Arnold navigates life without them, he makes friends, deals with bullies, and deals with a girl who has a major crush on him but isn’t very nice about it, named Helga.
The beautiful ethical moments throughout this before-its-time cartoon, are what made it one of the best ’90s cartoons ever and so memorable for millennials.
Hey Arnold! aired its first episode on July 10, 1996, and its final episode aired on June 8, 2004.
Rocko is a wallaby in Rocko’s Modern Life, who is living daily life in his new place after moving from Australia (as a wallaby would). Rocko makes finds some genuine friendships in Filburt (a turtle) and Heffer (a cow), plus he has a dog named Spunky. However, Rocko is overwhelmed by his new life in the states, adulthood, and his rude neighbor, Mr. Bighead (a toad). Rocko is really like most modern-day adults who are trying t survive adulthood in this cartoon that is entertaining for kids and adults alike.
Rocko’s Modern Life was this millennial’s favorite ’90s cartoon. Hands down, absolutely obsessed with this cartoon as a kid. What makes it so relevant is the topic, of course, but the art and humor were quintessential ’90s gold. I miss this show so much.
Rocko’s Modern Life first aired on September 18, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 24, 1996.
In Pinky and the Brain, Brain is a diabolical genius who also happens to be a mouse. Pinky, his right-hand mouse, who is not his first pick, tries his best to assist Brain in his evil plans to take over the world, but doesn’t quite grasp the plans and ends up being a constant source of frustration for Brain. These lab mice have actually been genetically altered at Acme Labs, where they are tested on, making Brain’s plans even more difficult. If only he had a better side-kick!
Pinky and the Brain is a super ’90s cartoon with an inventive and unique premise: lab mice taking over the world, or trying to at least. Every millennial knows this show was fun and funny and packed with twists and turns we never saw coming.
Pinky and the Brain first aired on September 9, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 14, 1998.
Pepper Ann Pearson is a young girl’s hero in this cartoon, Pepper Ann. She is a radical girl who stands up for herself and what she believes in as she goes through the growing pains of middle school at Hazelnut Middle School. Pepper Ann was pretty before its time in the ’90s, showcasing a girl who defied the norm, followed her heart, and was really a bit of a feminist in her time. She was constantly speaking out about wrongdoing she experiences as a 12-year-old in middle school, and she still knew how to have a good time and enjoy life in the process.
Pepper Ann was another one of my favorite shows, because I so related to her struggles and mindset. Pepper Ann is another big miss for me and many fellow millennials.
Pepper Ann aired its first episode on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on November 18, 2000.
In Pokémon (Animated TV Series), Ash Ketchum has to catch all the Pokémon with Pikachu. Ash beating the Pokémon League is a big deal. So, he explores, catches Pokémon, and works toward being a Pokémon Master. Ash has a nemesis and a ton of obstacles during the process, but he never gives up hope and never stops working toward his goal.
Pokémon is one of the highest grossing anime franchises of all time, with its start in the ’90s. Growing up in the ’90s meant getting gold Pokémon cards with your happy meal, carrying Pokémon trading cards everywhere you went, and watching this genius animated series. While Pokémon is still going strong, there is nothing like the oldies, especially when it comes to cartoons.
Pokémon aired its first episode on April 1, 1997, and though many changes have occurred over the years, is still going strong… kind of. The original release was exponentially different than the show many watch today.
Franklin and Friends is another book-based cartoon series with an animal cast. Franklin and his best friend Bear, along with some of the other neighborhood pals their age, tackle some serious, real-life stuff. They learn lessons, grow, develop long-lasting friendships, and teach their watchers how to do the same.
Franklin and Friends is another cute watch that holds a special place in my millennial heart. Watching this show in the late ’90s and early ’00s with my little brother is a priceless memory I cherish, as I’m sure many millennials do!
Franklin and Friends aired its first episode on November 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on August 8, 2004.
In Arthur, Arthur Read and his best friend Buster Baster deal with a variety of unfortunate everyday scenarios that most kids encounter while attending school as many eight-year-olds do. Arthur is shy and a bit unsure of himself as he grows and tries to thrive. As he overcomes many obstacles with his two sisters, who often seem to be in a rivalry with him, he finds a way to deal with things and learn from difficult scenarios and discovers they are usually on the same team.
Arthur is chock-full of life lessons, meaningful relationships, and mindful examinations, making it ’90s gold. Arthur is surely missed greatly by millennials everywhere.
Arthur aired its first episode on October 7, 1996, and it is still running today!
Animaniacs is an extremely comedic cartoon with Dot, Yakko, Wakko, and other various characters that tend to have a knack for chaos. There is always something bonkers happening on the Warne Bros. Studio and the water tower the siblings live in. While they mean well, they are known for the messes they create and bring into the lives of friends and acquaintances. Where the animaniacs go, trust me, chaos follows.
Animaniacs is major ’90s popculture. Millennials all know the show, even though the timeframe of the cartoon was short-lived in comparison to many other ’90s cartoons. Perhaps, the revivals of the original show or the premise and humor kept it alive. Regardless, Millennials loved and miss this show dearly.
Animaniacs aired its first episode on September 13, 1993, and aired its final episode on November 14, 1998. However, there were revivals. So, the show didn’t stop there.
Beavis and Butt-Head is a comedic show about two brothers, known as Beavis and Butt-Head, who comment on ’90s popculture from the comfort of their couch. Though their comments are all pretty unintelligent and immature, they do tend to be funny in a slapstick comedy kind of way.
Beavis and Butt-Head is known for the brother’s iconic laughs, ridiculous comments, and popculture significance, since the ’90s were extremly MTV-centric. Definitely an iconic, if not a bit unrefined, duo.
Beavis and Butt-head aired its first episode on March 8, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 28, 1997. However, there have been two revivals since, and one of those revivals is currently in the works.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers was a cartoon about cute, lovable, and talented chipmunk detectives. These chipmunks, Chip and Dale and their friends, run Rescue Rangers. Rescue Rangers is their detective agency, and when it comes to solving crimes these guys don’t mess around! They get hands-on, go on adventures, and solve the crimes. These little guys are the real deal and have a lot of passion for what they do.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers is perhaps the cutest of all ’90s cartoons. Millennials are sure to reminisce about these chipmunk heroes.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers first aired on March 4, 1989, and aired its final episode on November 19, 1990.
Tiny Toon Adventures was a classic ’90s show including all the memorable Acme characters such as Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil, and Hamton J. Pig (my personal favorite). However, this is only a small part of a ginormous cast of lovable characters. Tiny Toon Adventures follows those characters as they train at Acme Looniversity to become official Looney Tunes! The cast was bright, funny, and a little chaotic, much like Animaniacs.
Though Animaniacs ended up acting as the cartoon’s replacement, it was a lovely ’90s show with iconic characters, bright and happy art, and nonstop action.
Tiny Toon Adventures aired its first episode on September 14, 1990, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1992.
Little Bear is a cartoon based on a book series by Else Holmelund Minarik. This bear cub, the main character, has some amazing friendships that he’s built with Cat, Owl, Hen, and Emily. They explore the world of play, letting their imaginations go to wondrous places. They also learn valuable lessons and build meaningful bonds.
Little Bear is another wholesome addition to this list. These cute friends stick together through thick and thin, took play time very seriously, and I know they taught this millennial a lesson or two.
Little Bear aired its first episode on November 6, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 7, 2003.
In TaleSpin, and the city of Cape Suzette, millennials take a trip back to the 1930s with Baloo von Bruinwald XIII. Baloo is a pilot who hauls cargo and makes different deliveries, all while his pal Kit Cloudkicker is by his side. This The Jungle Book spinoff is wholesome, sweet, and all about true friendship. Balloo, in a way, unofficially adopts Kit, making this show unbelievably sweet and heartwarming. Together they encounter many dangerous adventures, where they work together as a team to pull through.
As far as the ’90s go, I am not sure a cartoon got sweeter than this. Kit and Balloo are missed by this millennial big time.
TaleSpin aired its first episode on September 7, 1990, and aired its final episode on August 8, 1991.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series is the animated story of Peter Parker and his evolution into Spider-Man. From the super-smart boy next door to the Spider-Man responsible for saving the city all day every day, Spider-Man: The Animated Series. How he saves the city, attends Empire State University, works as a photographer, and maintains his sanity is beyond my comprehension. However, this once normal boy does his best.
The Spider-Man franchise was huge in the ’90s and early ’00s, remember Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst kissing upside down in the rain? This animated series was a huge part of that. It even maintains a pretty big following to this day!
Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired its first episode on November 19, 1994, and its final episode aired on January 31, 1998.
Christina (68)‘90s cartoons were the best. They were funny, the art was epic, they were child-friendly (most of them at least), and they taught us millennials fundamental lessons that made us who we are today. Now, I don’t want to say they are better than today’s cartoons, because I am sure there are some good cartoons out there teaching kids all the lessons they need to know while keeping them occupied until dinner is ready, but ‘90s cartoons were pretty revolutionary.
They were experimental, unique, hilarious, and though millennials certainly didn’t know it, a majority of cartoons, The Ren & Stimpy Show being one of them, were interesting and entertaining enough to entertain our parents who were probably tired of hearing The Barney Theme Song for the millionth time. From Angry Beavers to Powerpuff Girls Beavis and Butthead, ‘90s cartoons had a plethora of options for every type of kid with every type of interest. Even my dad had a special appreciation for a few of the kid’s shows and cartoons I watched over my morning cereal (he loved watching The Ren & Stimpy Show).
So, this list includes all the best ’90s cartoons that millennials miss, and where to watch them today, if you are feeling the need to take a trip down nostalgia lane.
Christina (68)CatDog is pretty legendary as far as ’90s cartoons go. In CatDog, these conjoined siblings are complete opposites, one a cat and one a dog, who do everything together, though I’m not sure Cat is always happy about that. Cat, who often finds himself annoyed by his brother, Dog, is always up to something when it comes to his somewhat clueless brother. Dog, who is a bit more happy-go-lucky and oblivious, doesn’t usually catch on to Cat’s not-so-nice plans, but at the end of the day, they usually come together when dealing with Winslow and the Greaser Dogs.
What made this show so great was the characters, the situations Cat and Dog seemed to get into, and the catchy theme song that I may or may not be humming as I write these words. It was definitely one of the best theme songs of all time, Nickelodeon really hit it out of the park with this wacky show, and, as a millennial, I miss it a ton.
CatDog first aired on April 4, 1998, and aired its final episode on June 15, 2005.
CatDog is pretty legendary as far as ’90s cartoons go. In CatDog, these conjoined siblings are complete opposites, one a cat and one a dog, who do everything together, though I’m not sure Cat is always happy about that. Cat, who often finds himself annoyed by his brother, Dog, is always up to something when it comes to his somewhat clueless brother. Dog, who is a bit more happy-go-lucky and oblivious, doesn’t usually catch on to Cat’s not-so-nice plans, but at the end of the day, they usually come together when dealing with Winslow and the Greaser Dogs.
What made this show so great was the characters, the situations Cat and Dog seemed to get into, and the catchy theme song that I may or may not be humming as I write these words. It was definitely one of the best theme songs of all time, Nickelodeon really hit it out of the park with this wacky show, and, as a millennial, I miss it a ton.
CatDog first aired on April 4, 1998, and aired its final episode on June 15, 2005.
The Angry Beavers is another ’90s cartoon with two brothers who are very different from one another. These total opposites, Norbert and Daggett Beaver, are constantly encountering wild situation after wild situation. The adjective “angry” being used front and center to describe the brothers is really all prospective watchers needed to know things were going to get interesting when it came to those shenanigans. Norbert, who is a bit angrier and easily agitated, can’t handle all of Dagget’s pranks and jokes, resulting in several arguments and prank wars.
The show was cute, funny, and had just enough action to keep my parents and me interested! Because Norbert and Dagget are two beavers who are newly entering adulthood, the cartoon is one millennials of all ages miss, myself included.
The Angry Beavers first aired on April 19, 1997, and aired its final episode on June 11, 2001.
The Angry Beavers is another ’90s cartoon with two brothers who are very different from one another. These total opposites, Norbert and Daggett Beaver, are constantly encountering wild situation after wild situation. The adjective “angry” being used front and center to describe the brothers is really all prospective watchers needed to know things were going to get interesting when it came to those shenanigans. Norbert, who is a bit angrier and easily agitated, can’t handle all of Dagget’s pranks and jokes, resulting in several arguments and prank wars.
The show was cute, funny, and had just enough action to keep my parents and me interested! Because Norbert and Dagget are two beavers who are newly entering adulthood, the cartoon is one millennials of all ages miss, myself included.
The Angry Beavers first aired on April 19, 1997, and aired its final episode on June 11, 2001.
Third Street School really has a problem with bullying in the epic ’90s cartoon, Recess. What’s great, and pretty revolutionary about this ’90s show is that the kids decide to band together and fight back against the school’s biggest and meanest bullies. T.J, Gretchen, Ashley, Vince, Mikey, and Gus all experienced bullying at one point in time at Third Street School and decided enough is enough. Even though none of them really have much in common, they become close friends that stand up for other kids. Amid the bullying, other various fourth-grade politics come into play and the kids handle them as ethically and soundly as possible, but, most importantly, they handle them as a team.
I know that I learned a thing or two watching Recess, and, as far as ’90s shows go, it was a pretty revolutionary show. Imagine being bullied and coming home to watch this cartoon! There are so many lessons within the show that millennials could put to practical use, which is just lovely and I miss it a bunch!
Recess first aired on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on January 16, 2006.
Third Street School really has a problem with bullying in the epic ’90s cartoon, Recess. What’s great, and pretty revolutionary about this ’90s show is that the kids decide to band together and fight back against the school’s biggest and meanest bullies. T.J, Gretchen, Ashley, Vince, Mikey, and Gus all experienced bullying at one point in time at Third Street School and decided enough is enough. Even though none of them really have much in common, they become close friends that stand up for other kids. Amid the bullying, other various fourth-grade politics come into play and the kids handle them as ethically and soundly as possible, but, most importantly, they handle them as a team.
I know that I learned a thing or two watching Recess, and, as far as ’90s shows go, it was a pretty revolutionary show. Imagine being bullied and coming home to watch this cartoon! There are so many lessons within the show that millennials could put to practical use, which is just lovely and I miss it a bunch!
Recess first aired on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on January 16, 2006.
Professor Utonium had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into when he created these cute, little superheroes. Even though Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles are mere kindergarteners, they pack a mean punch and they don’t mess around when it comes to defeating evil and messing up bad guys. Townsville is definitely much safer with these girls around, saving the day.
What was so great about The Powerpuff Girls were the villains. There was such a vast variety of villains such as Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Sedusa. Millennials know this ’90s cartoon helped to pave the way for cartoon villains.
The Powerpuff Girls first aired on November 18, 1998, and aired its final episode on March 25, 2005.
Professor Utonium had absolutely no idea what he was getting himself into when he created these cute, little superheroes. Even though Buttercup, Blossom, and Bubbles are mere kindergarteners, they pack a mean punch and they don’t mess around when it comes to defeating evil and messing up bad guys. Townsville is definitely much safer with these girls around, saving the day.
What was so great about The Powerpuff Girls were the villains. There was such a vast variety of villains such as Mojo Jojo, HIM, and Sedusa. Millennials know this ’90s cartoon helped to pave the way for cartoon villains.
The Powerpuff Girls first aired on November 18, 1998, and aired its final episode on March 25, 2005.
X-Men: The Animated Series is the animated version of the X-Men universe. As the X-Men, mutated humans with special powers and skillsets, and Charles Xavier try to defeat the always-growing evil in various corporations and the government, they go through a variety of obstacles. Magneto, also a mutant, is another nemesis of the X-Men, since he has decided to fight for evil instead of for good. These superheroes have tight bonds and complicated relationships that come into play throughout the series.
X-Men: The Animated Series set a high bar in the ’90s for future animated superhero-based series and still has a cult-following, which I am sure is mostly made up of millennials.
X-Men: The Animated Series aired its first episode on October 31, 1992, and its final episode aired on September 20, 1997.
X-Men: The Animated Series is the animated version of the X-Men universe. As the X-Men, mutated humans with special powers and skillsets, and Charles Xavier try to defeat the always-growing evil in various corporations and the government, they go through a variety of obstacles. Magneto, also a mutant, is another nemesis of the X-Men, since he has decided to fight for evil instead of for good. These superheroes have tight bonds and complicated relationships that come into play throughout the series.
X-Men: The Animated Series set a high bar in the ’90s for future animated superhero-based series and still has a cult-following, which I am sure is mostly made up of millennials.
X-Men: The Animated Series aired its first episode on October 31, 1992, and its final episode aired on September 20, 1997.
Daria was as ’90s as they come in terms of animated series. A moody, ’90s grunge, teenage girl named Daria Morgendorffer tries to survive high school while being the black sheep of her cheery family. Daria’s low, monotone voice, self-esteem and confidence issues, and feeling like nobody understands her (excluding her best friend Jane Lane), is what makes Daria a unique and enjoyable ’90s cartoon.
Though Daria is a bit more grown-up in terms of content, being more appropriate for teens than kids, it was the ’90s animated series that every millennial remembers as one of the best cartoons in the ’90s.
Daria first aired on March 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on January 21, 2002.
Daria was as ’90s as they come in terms of animated series. A moody, ’90s grunge, teenage girl named Daria Morgendorffer tries to survive high school while being the black sheep of her cheery family. Daria’s low, monotone voice, self-esteem and confidence issues, and feeling like nobody understands her (excluding her best friend Jane Lane), is what makes Daria a unique and enjoyable ’90s cartoon.
Though Daria is a bit more grown-up in terms of content, being more appropriate for teens than kids, it was the ’90s animated series that every millennial remembers as one of the best cartoons in the ’90s.
Daria first aired on March 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on January 21, 2002.
The name Courage is pretty ironic. Courage the Cowardly Dog is a bit of a scaredy-cat. Courage, however, is constantly put in situations in which he must overcome his extreme fear and help protect his parents who own the farm they all live on. Even though Courage tries to constantly alert his loved ones to the ongoing danger, the lack of human-to-dog communication usually results in Courage getting a bit of a scalding and never receiving the kudos he so rightly deserves for keeping his family and home safe.
What made Courage the Cowardly Dog so great was the humor, unique artistry, and cute, family-loving Courage. Millenials definitely miss this wholesome dog.
Courage the Cowardly Dog aired on February 18, 1996, and aired its final episode on November 22, 2002.
The name Courage is pretty ironic. Courage the Cowardly Dog is a bit of a scaredy-cat. Courage, however, is constantly put in situations in which he must overcome his extreme fear and help protect his parents who own the farm they all live on. Even though Courage tries to constantly alert his loved ones to the ongoing danger, the lack of human-to-dog communication usually results in Courage getting a bit of a scalding and never receiving the kudos he so rightly deserves for keeping his family and home safe.
What made Courage the Cowardly Dog so great was the humor, unique artistry, and cute, family-loving Courage. Millenials definitely miss this wholesome dog.
Courage the Cowardly Dog aired on February 18, 1996, and aired its final episode on November 22, 2002.
Rugrats is the ’90s cartoon that took it back to the early years and showed life, friendships, family, and growth from the point of view of the main characters, all of who happen to be… babies. These babies are not to be underestimated. Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, along with other little ones are brave, smart, and caring babies who take on big adventures and are constantly learning and growing through daily life.
Rugrats was an ingenious show in the ’90s making millennials everywhere wonder what the life of a baby looked and felt like. Though some creative, unrealistic liberties were taken, Rugrats is the wholesome ’90s show this millennial certainly misses.
Rugrats aired its first episode on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on August 1, 2004.
Rugrats is the ’90s cartoon that took it back to the early years and showed life, friendships, family, and growth from the point of view of the main characters, all of who happen to be… babies. These babies are not to be underestimated. Tommy Pickles, Chuckie Finster, Angelica Pickles, along with other little ones are brave, smart, and caring babies who take on big adventures and are constantly learning and growing through daily life.
Rugrats was an ingenious show in the ’90s making millennials everywhere wonder what the life of a baby looked and felt like. Though some creative, unrealistic liberties were taken, Rugrats is the wholesome ’90s show this millennial certainly misses.
Rugrats aired its first episode on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on August 1, 2004.
Doug is a cartoon about an imaginative boy named Doug Funnie who moved to a new town, Bluffington, with his parents. Doug is 11 years old and is working hard to make friends while going through the typical growing pains most 11-year-olds experience. He has a dog named Porkchop, a best friend named Skeeter Valentine, and a pretty obvious crush on Patti Mayonnaise. All of this would be pretty normal for an 11-year-old, except Doug likes to journal and pretend that he is actually a superhero called Quailman.
Doug made me try liver and onions, Doug’s favorite food, which I still regret, but the point is: it was an iconic ’90s cartoon that millennials loved enough to try liver and onions.
Doug first aired on August 11, 1991, and aired its final episode on June 26, 1999.
Doug is a cartoon about an imaginative boy named Doug Funnie who moved to a new town, Bluffington, with his parents. Doug is 11 years old and is working hard to make friends while going through the typical growing pains most 11-year-olds experience. He has a dog named Porkchop, a best friend named Skeeter Valentine, and a pretty obvious crush on Patti Mayonnaise. All of this would be pretty normal for an 11-year-old, except Doug likes to journal and pretend that he is actually a superhero called Quailman.
Doug made me try liver and onions, Doug’s favorite food, which I still regret, but the point is: it was an iconic ’90s cartoon that millennials loved enough to try liver and onions.
Doug first aired on August 11, 1991, and aired its final episode on June 26, 1999.
The Simpsons is a cartoon about the Simpsons family, who experience their share of challenges in Springfield. Homer and Marge have three kids: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Bart is a skateboarding troublemaker with a secret soft side, Lisa is a do-gooder who thrives in academia, and Maggie is a baby with impressive skills and awareness. While this group of misfits really have very little in common, and Homer fails at the typical dad stuff, they stick together and do their best.
The Simpsons has been around for ages, but started in 1989, and because an American household must-watch. It was such a commonplace occurrence for the family to gether around the TV for the new episode of The Simpsons in the ’90s that there is no doubt millennials miss it.
The Simpsons aired its first episode on December 17, 1989, and aired its final episode on May 23, 2021.
The Simpsons is a cartoon about the Simpsons family, who experience their share of challenges in Springfield. Homer and Marge have three kids: Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. Bart is a skateboarding troublemaker with a secret soft side, Lisa is a do-gooder who thrives in academia, and Maggie is a baby with impressive skills and awareness. While this group of misfits really have very little in common, and Homer fails at the typical dad stuff, they stick together and do their best.
The Simpsons has been around for ages, but started in 1989, and because an American household must-watch. It was such a commonplace occurrence for the family to gether around the TV for the new episode of The Simpsons in the ’90s that there is no doubt millennials miss it.
The Simpsons aired its first episode on December 17, 1989, and aired its final episode on May 23, 2021.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is about three unique-looking monsters who, much like Monster’s, Inc. (not released until after the creation of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters) are learning how to scare people as monsters would do. The monsters, named Oblina, Krumm, and Ickis, are just young monsters starting out the scare community and at the monster training school that they go to. So, they tend to get in a bit more trouble than the average monster would during their daily scares.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was perhaps the most unique cartoon of the ’90s. The art, unique premise, and creative characters made Aaahh!!! Real Monsters an incredibly well-done ’90s cartoon, which no doubt inspired many other cartoons following it.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters aired on October 29, 1994, and aired its final episode on December 6, 1997.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is about three unique-looking monsters who, much like Monster’s, Inc. (not released until after the creation of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters) are learning how to scare people as monsters would do. The monsters, named Oblina, Krumm, and Ickis, are just young monsters starting out the scare community and at the monster training school that they go to. So, they tend to get in a bit more trouble than the average monster would during their daily scares.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters was perhaps the most unique cartoon of the ’90s. The art, unique premise, and creative characters made Aaahh!!! Real Monsters an incredibly well-done ’90s cartoon, which no doubt inspired many other cartoons following it.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters aired on October 29, 1994, and aired its final episode on December 6, 1997.
In Dexter’s Laboratory, Dexter is a prodigy with some serious scientific skills, hence “laboratory.” Even though Dexter is only eight years old, he is constantly sneaking off to his very hush-hush laboratory to create mind-blowing inventions and creations that eventually help save the world. He even has an arch-enemy, Mandark. However, with his intelligence and his sister Dee Dee’s support and help, there’s really nothing he cannot do and no tragedy he cannot prevent.
What’s was so exciting about Dexter’s Laboratory in the ’90s, was that the characters were interesting, the dialogue was often hilarious, the style of the cartoon was beautifully done, and there were side-cartoons like Justice Friends.
Dexter’s Laboratory first aired on April 27, 1996, and its final episode aired on November 20, 2003.
In Dexter’s Laboratory, Dexter is a prodigy with some serious scientific skills, hence “laboratory.” Even though Dexter is only eight years old, he is constantly sneaking off to his very hush-hush laboratory to create mind-blowing inventions and creations that eventually help save the world. He even has an arch-enemy, Mandark. However, with his intelligence and his sister Dee Dee’s support and help, there’s really nothing he cannot do and no tragedy he cannot prevent.
What’s was so exciting about Dexter’s Laboratory in the ’90s, was that the characters were interesting, the dialogue was often hilarious, the style of the cartoon was beautifully done, and there were side-cartoons like Justice Friends.
Dexter’s Laboratory first aired on April 27, 1996, and its final episode aired on November 20, 2003.
The Wild Thornberrys is a cartoon about a rather unusual family, with an anything-but-average lifestyle. Eliza Thornberry and her family, who make documentaries for a living, travel the world, and Eliza uses her special power to help animals. Eliza can speak to animals. She uses this power to honor and save animals in need, often having to sneak around in the process with her chimpanzee. While Nigel narrates the documentaries, Marianne (his wife) works behind the camera.
The family dynamics and wholesome content of this ’90s cartoon made is a must-watch. Not only that, but it was pretty funny at times, particularly when Nigel did something a bit absent-mindedly like hurt himself for the millionth time. I definitely miss this show, and The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
The Wild Thornberrys first aired on September 1st, 1998, and its final episode aired on June 11th, 2004.
The Wild Thornberrys is a cartoon about a rather unusual family, with an anything-but-average lifestyle. Eliza Thornberry and her family, who make documentaries for a living, travel the world, and Eliza uses her special power to help animals. Eliza can speak to animals. She uses this power to honor and save animals in need, often having to sneak around in the process with her chimpanzee. While Nigel narrates the documentaries, Marianne (his wife) works behind the camera.
The family dynamics and wholesome content of this ’90s cartoon made is a must-watch. Not only that, but it was pretty funny at times, particularly when Nigel did something a bit absent-mindedly like hurt himself for the millionth time. I definitely miss this show, and The Wild Thornberrys Movie.
The Wild Thornberrys first aired on September 1st, 1998, and its final episode aired on June 11th, 2004.
The Ren & Stimpy Show, if we boil it down to the basics, was just a cartoon about a dog and cat. Except, it was so much more than that. This Chihuahua, Ren has a bit of an anger issue. He also doesn’t always appreciate his cat friend, who happens to be a bit clueless, Stimpy. While Stimpy considers them best friends, Ren cannot always handle Stimpy’s cluelessness, and that results in some interesting encounters between the two, who really are opposites. The two get themselves into crazy scenarios, travel to space, and the whole nine yards.
Before you think this sounds like CatDog, trust me The Ren & Stimpy Show is its own unique show. I’ve used the word unique in this list a bit more than I would care to admit, but that was what ’90s cartoons were. They were so unique. None was too much like the last. The Ren & Stimpy Show, however, has them all beat in the area of uniqueness. If even my parents laughed watching this show, you know it was good.
The Ren & Stimpy Show first aired on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on October 20, 1996.
The Ren & Stimpy Show, if we boil it down to the basics, was just a cartoon about a dog and cat. Except, it was so much more than that. This Chihuahua, Ren has a bit of an anger issue. He also doesn’t always appreciate his cat friend, who happens to be a bit clueless, Stimpy. While Stimpy considers them best friends, Ren cannot always handle Stimpy’s cluelessness, and that results in some interesting encounters between the two, who really are opposites. The two get themselves into crazy scenarios, travel to space, and the whole nine yards.
Before you think this sounds like CatDog, trust me The Ren & Stimpy Show is its own unique show. I’ve used the word unique in this list a bit more than I would care to admit, but that was what ’90s cartoons were. They were so unique. None was too much like the last. The Ren & Stimpy Show, however, has them all beat in the area of uniqueness. If even my parents laughed watching this show, you know it was good.
The Ren & Stimpy Show first aired on August 11, 1991, and its final episode aired on October 20, 1996.
In Johnny Bravo, Johnny Bravo is a pretty conceded guy with big har, iconic sunglasses, and greaser-style clothes. Though Johnny Bravo is a muscular, handsome guy, he pretty much scares women away with his overconfidence. As Johnny Bravo gets himself into some crazy situations, various celebrities make appearances as cartoons characters as well, making Johnny Bravo an exciting watch, since you never knew what celebrity would appear next.
Johnny Bravo was a silly, funny, ironic comedy-cartoon in the ’90s and early ’00s. If you are a millennial, you didn’t even need to watch the cartoon to remember it, making it a crucial part of ’90s popculture.
Johnny Bravo first aired on July 14, 1997, and its last episode aired on August 27, 2004.
In Johnny Bravo, Johnny Bravo is a pretty conceded guy with big har, iconic sunglasses, and greaser-style clothes. Though Johnny Bravo is a muscular, handsome guy, he pretty much scares women away with his overconfidence. As Johnny Bravo gets himself into some crazy situations, various celebrities make appearances as cartoons characters as well, making Johnny Bravo an exciting watch, since you never knew what celebrity would appear next.
Johnny Bravo was a silly, funny, ironic comedy-cartoon in the ’90s and early ’00s. If you are a millennial, you didn’t even need to watch the cartoon to remember it, making it a crucial part of ’90s popculture.
Johnny Bravo first aired on July 14, 1997, and its last episode aired on August 27, 2004.
In The Magic School Bus, the iconic science teacher Ms. Frizzle takes a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. She takes her students on trips in the magic school bus to show them real-life examples of science, letting them swim with the fishes, explore plant anatomy, and so much more. Ms. Frizzle is the ideal science teacher, who understands that science can be interesting and that hands-on learning is so much better!
The Magic School Bus is perhaps the most ’90s of the bunch. Scholastic really hit it out of the park with The Magic School Bus. It was fun, taught me so much as a growing millennial, and there was a cute lizard (a chameleon named Liz). What else does a good ’90s cartoon need?
The Magic School Bus first aired on September 10, 1994, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1997. However, there is a new, modern-day reboot.
In The Magic School Bus, the iconic science teacher Ms. Frizzle takes a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. She takes her students on trips in the magic school bus to show them real-life examples of science, letting them swim with the fishes, explore plant anatomy, and so much more. Ms. Frizzle is the ideal science teacher, who understands that science can be interesting and that hands-on learning is so much better!
The Magic School Bus is perhaps the most ’90s of the bunch. Scholastic really hit it out of the park with The Magic School Bus. It was fun, taught me so much as a growing millennial, and there was a cute lizard (a chameleon named Liz). What else does a good ’90s cartoon need?
The Magic School Bus first aired on September 10, 1994, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1997. However, there is a new, modern-day reboot.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is a classic late ’90s cartoon about three best friends who happen to have the same name. this trio is iconic for the many tricks they attempt to play on others to make more money. As they try to fatten their wallets, fail at figuring out girls, and live their “normal” lives on the cul-de-sac they live on, these 12-year-olds make quite the mess of things.
Ed, Edd n Eddy might have come out in the final year of the decade, but it was, nonetheless, a ’90s favorite among millennials, and one I am sure many millennials often reminisce about.
Ed, Edd n Eddy aired its first episode on January 4, 1999, and aired its final episode on June 29, 2008.
Ed, Edd n Eddy is a classic late ’90s cartoon about three best friends who happen to have the same name. this trio is iconic for the many tricks they attempt to play on others to make more money. As they try to fatten their wallets, fail at figuring out girls, and live their “normal” lives on the cul-de-sac they live on, these 12-year-olds make quite the mess of things.
Ed, Edd n Eddy might have come out in the final year of the decade, but it was, nonetheless, a ’90s favorite among millennials, and one I am sure many millennials often reminisce about.
Ed, Edd n Eddy aired its first episode on January 4, 1999, and aired its final episode on June 29, 2008.
Hey Arnold! is a cartoon about a boy named Arnold who has a head shaped like a football. Even though Arnold has a football-shaped head, which is clearly unique, that isn’t really the point of the show. Instead, Hey Arnold! focuses on the many moral, ethical, and relevant experiences that Arnold encounters as a fourth-grader who lives with his grandparents (Phil and Gertrude) and misses his parents. As Arnold navigates life without them, he makes friends, deals with bullies, and deals with a girl who has a major crush on him but isn’t very nice about it, named Helga.
The beautiful ethical moments throughout this before-its-time cartoon, are what made it one of the best ’90s cartoons ever and so memorable for millennials.
Hey Arnold! aired its first episode on July 10, 1996, and its final episode aired on June 8, 2004.
Hey Arnold! is a cartoon about a boy named Arnold who has a head shaped like a football. Even though Arnold has a football-shaped head, which is clearly unique, that isn’t really the point of the show. Instead, Hey Arnold! focuses on the many moral, ethical, and relevant experiences that Arnold encounters as a fourth-grader who lives with his grandparents (Phil and Gertrude) and misses his parents. As Arnold navigates life without them, he makes friends, deals with bullies, and deals with a girl who has a major crush on him but isn’t very nice about it, named Helga.
The beautiful ethical moments throughout this before-its-time cartoon, are what made it one of the best ’90s cartoons ever and so memorable for millennials.
Hey Arnold! aired its first episode on July 10, 1996, and its final episode aired on June 8, 2004.
Rocko is a wallaby in Rocko’s Modern Life, who is living daily life in his new place after moving from Australia (as a wallaby would). Rocko makes finds some genuine friendships in Filburt (a turtle) and Heffer (a cow), plus he has a dog named Spunky. However, Rocko is overwhelmed by his new life in the states, adulthood, and his rude neighbor, Mr. Bighead (a toad). Rocko is really like most modern-day adults who are trying t survive adulthood in this cartoon that is entertaining for kids and adults alike.
Rocko’s Modern Life was this millennial’s favorite ’90s cartoon. Hands down, absolutely obsessed with this cartoon as a kid. What makes it so relevant is the topic, of course, but the art and humor were quintessential ’90s gold. I miss this show so much.
Rocko’s Modern Life first aired on September 18, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 24, 1996.
Rocko is a wallaby in Rocko’s Modern Life, who is living daily life in his new place after moving from Australia (as a wallaby would). Rocko makes finds some genuine friendships in Filburt (a turtle) and Heffer (a cow), plus he has a dog named Spunky. However, Rocko is overwhelmed by his new life in the states, adulthood, and his rude neighbor, Mr. Bighead (a toad). Rocko is really like most modern-day adults who are trying t survive adulthood in this cartoon that is entertaining for kids and adults alike.
Rocko’s Modern Life was this millennial’s favorite ’90s cartoon. Hands down, absolutely obsessed with this cartoon as a kid. What makes it so relevant is the topic, of course, but the art and humor were quintessential ’90s gold. I miss this show so much.
Rocko’s Modern Life first aired on September 18, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 24, 1996.
In Pinky and the Brain, Brain is a diabolical genius who also happens to be a mouse. Pinky, his right-hand mouse, who is not his first pick, tries his best to assist Brain in his evil plans to take over the world, but doesn’t quite grasp the plans and ends up being a constant source of frustration for Brain. These lab mice have actually been genetically altered at Acme Labs, where they are tested on, making Brain’s plans even more difficult. If only he had a better side-kick!
Pinky and the Brain is a super ’90s cartoon with an inventive and unique premise: lab mice taking over the world, or trying to at least. Every millennial knows this show was fun and funny and packed with twists and turns we never saw coming.
Pinky and the Brain first aired on September 9, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 14, 1998.
In Pinky and the Brain, Brain is a diabolical genius who also happens to be a mouse. Pinky, his right-hand mouse, who is not his first pick, tries his best to assist Brain in his evil plans to take over the world, but doesn’t quite grasp the plans and ends up being a constant source of frustration for Brain. These lab mice have actually been genetically altered at Acme Labs, where they are tested on, making Brain’s plans even more difficult. If only he had a better side-kick!
Pinky and the Brain is a super ’90s cartoon with an inventive and unique premise: lab mice taking over the world, or trying to at least. Every millennial knows this show was fun and funny and packed with twists and turns we never saw coming.
Pinky and the Brain first aired on September 9, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 14, 1998.
Pepper Ann Pearson is a young girl’s hero in this cartoon, Pepper Ann. She is a radical girl who stands up for herself and what she believes in as she goes through the growing pains of middle school at Hazelnut Middle School. Pepper Ann was pretty before its time in the ’90s, showcasing a girl who defied the norm, followed her heart, and was really a bit of a feminist in her time. She was constantly speaking out about wrongdoing she experiences as a 12-year-old in middle school, and she still knew how to have a good time and enjoy life in the process.
Pepper Ann was another one of my favorite shows, because I so related to her struggles and mindset. Pepper Ann is another big miss for me and many fellow millennials.
Pepper Ann aired its first episode on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on November 18, 2000.
Pepper Ann Pearson is a young girl’s hero in this cartoon, Pepper Ann. She is a radical girl who stands up for herself and what she believes in as she goes through the growing pains of middle school at Hazelnut Middle School. Pepper Ann was pretty before its time in the ’90s, showcasing a girl who defied the norm, followed her heart, and was really a bit of a feminist in her time. She was constantly speaking out about wrongdoing she experiences as a 12-year-old in middle school, and she still knew how to have a good time and enjoy life in the process.
Pepper Ann was another one of my favorite shows, because I so related to her struggles and mindset. Pepper Ann is another big miss for me and many fellow millennials.
Pepper Ann aired its first episode on September 13, 1997, and aired its final episode on November 18, 2000.
In Pokémon (Animated TV Series), Ash Ketchum has to catch all the Pokémon with Pikachu. Ash beating the Pokémon League is a big deal. So, he explores, catches Pokémon, and works toward being a Pokémon Master. Ash has a nemesis and a ton of obstacles during the process, but he never gives up hope and never stops working toward his goal.
Pokémon is one of the highest grossing anime franchises of all time, with its start in the ’90s. Growing up in the ’90s meant getting gold Pokémon cards with your happy meal, carrying Pokémon trading cards everywhere you went, and watching this genius animated series. While Pokémon is still going strong, there is nothing like the oldies, especially when it comes to cartoons.
Pokémon aired its first episode on April 1, 1997, and though many changes have occurred over the years, is still going strong… kind of. The original release was exponentially different than the show many watch today.
In Pokémon (Animated TV Series), Ash Ketchum has to catch all the Pokémon with Pikachu. Ash beating the Pokémon League is a big deal. So, he explores, catches Pokémon, and works toward being a Pokémon Master. Ash has a nemesis and a ton of obstacles during the process, but he never gives up hope and never stops working toward his goal.
Pokémon is one of the highest grossing anime franchises of all time, with its start in the ’90s. Growing up in the ’90s meant getting gold Pokémon cards with your happy meal, carrying Pokémon trading cards everywhere you went, and watching this genius animated series. While Pokémon is still going strong, there is nothing like the oldies, especially when it comes to cartoons.
Pokémon aired its first episode on April 1, 1997, and though many changes have occurred over the years, is still going strong… kind of. The original release was exponentially different than the show many watch today.
Franklin and Friends is another book-based cartoon series with an animal cast. Franklin and his best friend Bear, along with some of the other neighborhood pals their age, tackle some serious, real-life stuff. They learn lessons, grow, develop long-lasting friendships, and teach their watchers how to do the same.
Franklin and Friends is another cute watch that holds a special place in my millennial heart. Watching this show in the late ’90s and early ’00s with my little brother is a priceless memory I cherish, as I’m sure many millennials do!
Franklin and Friends aired its first episode on November 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on August 8, 2004.
Franklin and Friends is another book-based cartoon series with an animal cast. Franklin and his best friend Bear, along with some of the other neighborhood pals their age, tackle some serious, real-life stuff. They learn lessons, grow, develop long-lasting friendships, and teach their watchers how to do the same.
Franklin and Friends is another cute watch that holds a special place in my millennial heart. Watching this show in the late ’90s and early ’00s with my little brother is a priceless memory I cherish, as I’m sure many millennials do!
Franklin and Friends aired its first episode on November 3, 1997, and its final episode aired on August 8, 2004.
In Arthur, Arthur Read and his best friend Buster Baster deal with a variety of unfortunate everyday scenarios that most kids encounter while attending school as many eight-year-olds do. Arthur is shy and a bit unsure of himself as he grows and tries to thrive. As he overcomes many obstacles with his two sisters, who often seem to be in a rivalry with him, he finds a way to deal with things and learn from difficult scenarios and discovers they are usually on the same team.
Arthur is chock-full of life lessons, meaningful relationships, and mindful examinations, making it ’90s gold. Arthur is surely missed greatly by millennials everywhere.
Arthur aired its first episode on October 7, 1996, and it is still running today!
In Arthur, Arthur Read and his best friend Buster Baster deal with a variety of unfortunate everyday scenarios that most kids encounter while attending school as many eight-year-olds do. Arthur is shy and a bit unsure of himself as he grows and tries to thrive. As he overcomes many obstacles with his two sisters, who often seem to be in a rivalry with him, he finds a way to deal with things and learn from difficult scenarios and discovers they are usually on the same team.
Arthur is chock-full of life lessons, meaningful relationships, and mindful examinations, making it ’90s gold. Arthur is surely missed greatly by millennials everywhere.
Arthur aired its first episode on October 7, 1996, and it is still running today!
Animaniacs is an extremely comedic cartoon with Dot, Yakko, Wakko, and other various characters that tend to have a knack for chaos. There is always something bonkers happening on the Warne Bros. Studio and the water tower the siblings live in. While they mean well, they are known for the messes they create and bring into the lives of friends and acquaintances. Where the animaniacs go, trust me, chaos follows.
Animaniacs is major ’90s popculture. Millennials all know the show, even though the timeframe of the cartoon was short-lived in comparison to many other ’90s cartoons. Perhaps, the revivals of the original show or the premise and humor kept it alive. Regardless, Millennials loved and miss this show dearly.
Animaniacs aired its first episode on September 13, 1993, and aired its final episode on November 14, 1998. However, there were revivals. So, the show didn’t stop there.
Animaniacs is an extremely comedic cartoon with Dot, Yakko, Wakko, and other various characters that tend to have a knack for chaos. There is always something bonkers happening on the Warne Bros. Studio and the water tower the siblings live in. While they mean well, they are known for the messes they create and bring into the lives of friends and acquaintances. Where the animaniacs go, trust me, chaos follows.
Animaniacs is major ’90s popculture. Millennials all know the show, even though the timeframe of the cartoon was short-lived in comparison to many other ’90s cartoons. Perhaps, the revivals of the original show or the premise and humor kept it alive. Regardless, Millennials loved and miss this show dearly.
Animaniacs aired its first episode on September 13, 1993, and aired its final episode on November 14, 1998. However, there were revivals. So, the show didn’t stop there.
Beavis and Butt-Head is a comedic show about two brothers, known as Beavis and Butt-Head, who comment on ’90s popculture from the comfort of their couch. Though their comments are all pretty unintelligent and immature, they do tend to be funny in a slapstick comedy kind of way.
Beavis and Butt-Head is known for the brother’s iconic laughs, ridiculous comments, and popculture significance, since the ’90s were extremly MTV-centric. Definitely an iconic, if not a bit unrefined, duo.
Beavis and Butt-head aired its first episode on March 8, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 28, 1997. However, there have been two revivals since, and one of those revivals is currently in the works.
Beavis and Butt-Head is a comedic show about two brothers, known as Beavis and Butt-Head, who comment on ’90s popculture from the comfort of their couch. Though their comments are all pretty unintelligent and immature, they do tend to be funny in a slapstick comedy kind of way.
Beavis and Butt-Head is known for the brother’s iconic laughs, ridiculous comments, and popculture significance, since the ’90s were extremly MTV-centric. Definitely an iconic, if not a bit unrefined, duo.
Beavis and Butt-head aired its first episode on March 8, 1993, and its final episode aired on November 28, 1997. However, there have been two revivals since, and one of those revivals is currently in the works.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers was a cartoon about cute, lovable, and talented chipmunk detectives. These chipmunks, Chip and Dale and their friends, run Rescue Rangers. Rescue Rangers is their detective agency, and when it comes to solving crimes these guys don’t mess around! They get hands-on, go on adventures, and solve the crimes. These little guys are the real deal and have a lot of passion for what they do.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers is perhaps the cutest of all ’90s cartoons. Millennials are sure to reminisce about these chipmunk heroes.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers first aired on March 4, 1989, and aired its final episode on November 19, 1990.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers was a cartoon about cute, lovable, and talented chipmunk detectives. These chipmunks, Chip and Dale and their friends, run Rescue Rangers. Rescue Rangers is their detective agency, and when it comes to solving crimes these guys don’t mess around! They get hands-on, go on adventures, and solve the crimes. These little guys are the real deal and have a lot of passion for what they do.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers is perhaps the cutest of all ’90s cartoons. Millennials are sure to reminisce about these chipmunk heroes.
Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers first aired on March 4, 1989, and aired its final episode on November 19, 1990.
Tiny Toon Adventures was a classic ’90s show including all the memorable Acme characters such as Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil, and Hamton J. Pig (my personal favorite). However, this is only a small part of a ginormous cast of lovable characters. Tiny Toon Adventures follows those characters as they train at Acme Looniversity to become official Looney Tunes! The cast was bright, funny, and a little chaotic, much like Animaniacs.
Though Animaniacs ended up acting as the cartoon’s replacement, it was a lovely ’90s show with iconic characters, bright and happy art, and nonstop action.
Tiny Toon Adventures aired its first episode on September 14, 1990, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1992.
Tiny Toon Adventures was a classic ’90s show including all the memorable Acme characters such as Bugs Bunny, Tasmanian Devil, and Hamton J. Pig (my personal favorite). However, this is only a small part of a ginormous cast of lovable characters. Tiny Toon Adventures follows those characters as they train at Acme Looniversity to become official Looney Tunes! The cast was bright, funny, and a little chaotic, much like Animaniacs.
Though Animaniacs ended up acting as the cartoon’s replacement, it was a lovely ’90s show with iconic characters, bright and happy art, and nonstop action.
Tiny Toon Adventures aired its first episode on September 14, 1990, and its final episode aired on December 6, 1992.
Little Bear is a cartoon based on a book series by Else Holmelund Minarik. This bear cub, the main character, has some amazing friendships that he’s built with Cat, Owl, Hen, and Emily. They explore the world of play, letting their imaginations go to wondrous places. They also learn valuable lessons and build meaningful bonds.
Little Bear is another wholesome addition to this list. These cute friends stick together through thick and thin, took play time very seriously, and I know they taught this millennial a lesson or two.
Little Bear aired its first episode on November 6, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 7, 2003.
Little Bear is a cartoon based on a book series by Else Holmelund Minarik. This bear cub, the main character, has some amazing friendships that he’s built with Cat, Owl, Hen, and Emily. They explore the world of play, letting their imaginations go to wondrous places. They also learn valuable lessons and build meaningful bonds.
Little Bear is another wholesome addition to this list. These cute friends stick together through thick and thin, took play time very seriously, and I know they taught this millennial a lesson or two.
Little Bear aired its first episode on November 6, 1995, and its final episode aired on November 7, 2003.
In TaleSpin, and the city of Cape Suzette, millennials take a trip back to the 1930s with Baloo von Bruinwald XIII. Baloo is a pilot who hauls cargo and makes different deliveries, all while his pal Kit Cloudkicker is by his side. This The Jungle Book spinoff is wholesome, sweet, and all about true friendship. Balloo, in a way, unofficially adopts Kit, making this show unbelievably sweet and heartwarming. Together they encounter many dangerous adventures, where they work together as a team to pull through.
As far as the ’90s go, I am not sure a cartoon got sweeter than this. Kit and Balloo are missed by this millennial big time.
TaleSpin aired its first episode on September 7, 1990, and aired its final episode on August 8, 1991.
In TaleSpin, and the city of Cape Suzette, millennials take a trip back to the 1930s with Baloo von Bruinwald XIII. Baloo is a pilot who hauls cargo and makes different deliveries, all while his pal Kit Cloudkicker is by his side. This The Jungle Book spinoff is wholesome, sweet, and all about true friendship. Balloo, in a way, unofficially adopts Kit, making this show unbelievably sweet and heartwarming. Together they encounter many dangerous adventures, where they work together as a team to pull through.
As far as the ’90s go, I am not sure a cartoon got sweeter than this. Kit and Balloo are missed by this millennial big time.
TaleSpin aired its first episode on September 7, 1990, and aired its final episode on August 8, 1991.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series is the animated story of Peter Parker and his evolution into Spider-Man. From the super-smart boy next door to the Spider-Man responsible for saving the city all day every day, Spider-Man: The Animated Series. How he saves the city, attends Empire State University, works as a photographer, and maintains his sanity is beyond my comprehension. However, this once normal boy does his best.
The Spider-Man franchise was huge in the ’90s and early ’00s, remember Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst kissing upside down in the rain? This animated series was a huge part of that. It even maintains a pretty big following to this day!
Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired its first episode on November 19, 1994, and its final episode aired on January 31, 1998.
Spider-Man: The Animated Series is the animated story of Peter Parker and his evolution into Spider-Man. From the super-smart boy next door to the Spider-Man responsible for saving the city all day every day, Spider-Man: The Animated Series. How he saves the city, attends Empire State University, works as a photographer, and maintains his sanity is beyond my comprehension. However, this once normal boy does his best.
The Spider-Man franchise was huge in the ’90s and early ’00s, remember Tobey McGuire and Kirsten Dunst kissing upside down in the rain? This animated series was a huge part of that. It even maintains a pretty big following to this day!
Spider-Man: The Animated Series aired its first episode on November 19, 1994, and its final episode aired on January 31, 1998.
Christina (68) Continue readingChristina@cgerard23
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