Debuting May 1, 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated series about a sentient sponge that grew into a media empire. The Onion looks back at the beloved cartoon show on its 20th anniversary.
1946:
U.S. military tests atomic weaponry in Bikini Atoll, leading to genetic abnormalities on the seafloor of Bikini Bottom.
1997:
Show creator Stephen Hillenburg decides on making it animated after several failed attempts to film fish acting and reciting dialogue.
1998:
Nickelodeon finally ends 18-month nationwide search for cartoonists capable of drawing characters shaped like a square and a star.
2001:
Production on third season halted while SpongeBob, Patrick, and Squidward hold out for $1 million per episode.
2003:
15-year-old Delaware resident John Weymouth has no idea whether he’s too old to be enjoying the show this much.
2005:
SpongeBob attacked by conservatives accusing the show of promoting an agenda of caring about living things in the ocean.
2008:
Scientists confirm significant portions of Bikini Bottom coral bleaching now irreversible.
2014:
Nickelodeon airs special episode where SpongeBob discovers the wreckage of Malaysian Airlines Flight 370.
2016:
Creative team realizes making a Broadway musical would be the perfect way to run this thing into the ground.
2019:
Damn, still holds up.