The year 1996 is notable as we can gain a real insight into what life was like on the cusp of the move towards a society that would become dominated by technology following the millennium.

The year itself was littered with historic events including the divorce of the Prince and Princess of Wales alongside the birth of Dolly the sheep.

At the top of the charts were acts such as the Spice Girls with their classic single 'Wannabe', Baddiel and Skinner with 'Three Lions' and Los del Rio with 'Macarena' alongside the Britpop craze consisting of legendary bands such as Oasis and Blur.

In sport, the European Football Championships began in England, with the host nation drawing 1–1 with Switzerland in the opening game. England would reach the semi-finals on home turf and came within inches of beating Germany at Wembley when talisman Paul Gascoigne couldn't quite stretch far enough to meet a cross which would've put the Three Lions into the lead in extra time. Terry Venables' side would eventually crash out on penalties following their valiant efforts and Germany would go on to win the tournament.

The Summer Olympics were also held in Atlanta United States that year.

At Brunton Park, Carlisle United would experience a year of disappointment both domestically and in the cups. Relegated from Division Two after finishing 21st in the third tier, the Cumbrians also missed out on a cup triumph in the Football League Trophy after defeat to Rotherham United in the final of the competition.

More than 4 per cent of the UK population (some 2,500,000 people) now had internet access and as today's gallery demonstrates, the world was on the verge of revolutionary change as we entered a new digital age.

The same sense of community and good humour that is present in our region now is very much apparent in today's gallery as you will see!

As ever, if you do spot yourself in today's pictures and have a memory to share with our readers, please do get in touch to let us know your recollections of a momentous time in British society.