Minecraft Soundtrack, Windows 95 Sound Added to National Recording Registry

The Library of Congress has inducted the Windows 95 startup sound and the Minecraft: Volume Alpha soundtrack into its National Recording Registry, recognizing them as culturally significant recordings. The inclusion of these works highlights their influence: Windows 95 revolutionized personal computing with its user-friendly interface, while Minecraft's ambient soundtrack, created by Daniel Rosenfeld (C418), has contributed to the popularity of ambient music in gaming and beyond. This marks Minecraft's soundtrack as only the second video game score to join the registry, following Super Mario Brothers in 2023. Other notable additions this year include Elton John's 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' and Celine Dion's 'My Heart Will Go On.' Over 2,600 nominations were submitted for this year's honors, emphasizing the diverse range of American music. The recognition is seen as a testament to the lasting impact of both the operating system and the game in American culture.