But can you believe that it was 25 years ago when all of this was pictured on Wearside.
We are heading back to 1996 for a retro spotlight on photographs in the Sunderland Echo archives.
Prince Charles was in Sunderland. A well known Wearside firm was celebrating an important anniversary and football fans had reason to cheer.
We were watching 3rd Rock from the Sun and Sabrina the Teenage Witch on telly and Independence Day on the big screen.
The Spice Girls were rocking the charts with Wannabe and a football anthem Three Lions was born.
But what do you remember about 1996? See if these photos bring back memories.
![One of the great activities at Derwent Hill in June 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjc3ZDU0ZmVjLThlZTQtNDVjYy05NjY4LWVhYjQ0ZDk5YzQ5ZjowODlhOGUzNS01ZDJmLTQzNjgtYmFiMS1iNGIwZDQ4NDhmY2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Spending time at Derwent Hill
One of the great activities at Derwent Hill in June 1996. Photo: Sunderland Echo
![Sunderland players with the First Division Championship trophy in April 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVmMDY2NmIzLTY3MGQtNDY3Ni1iYjA2LTg0ODhhZDM2ODAwOTo1Njg2OWViYi0wNGI0LTQ2OGEtOTk2MS1lOTI3MTFjMDFmOWY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. Champions!
Sunderland players with the First Division Championship trophy in April 1996. Photo: se
![Prince Charles is pictured on a visit to the Sunderland University, St Peters campus in April 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmZiYjY3OTJmLTZhOWYtNDM0YS1hYzg3LWM2NGRlZDM3NWZkOToyNmY1ODYxOS1mNmZkLTRhYjgtOGVkYy03MDM1MGZlYmU5OWQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. A royal visit to Sunderland University
Prince Charles is pictured on a visit to the Sunderland University, St Peters campus in April 1996. Photo: se
![J H Collinson of Blandford Street, Sunderland, celebrated its 15th anniversary in business in 1996.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIxOTY5MzA0LWVkNTgtNDkyNy1hMzg1LTA2MGZkMjY4M2JkNzphYWJkNDU5Zi1jOTFlLTQ5NWYtOWVhYi05YjRmYWY4MzMxM2I=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. A sparkling achievement
J H Collinson of Blandford Street, Sunderland, celebrated its 15th anniversary in business in 1996. Photo: se