January 1999

Friday 01:

The Euro currency is introduced.

Saturday 02:

A brutal snowstorm smashes into the Midwestern USA, causing 14 inches (359mm) of snow at Milwaukee, Wisconsin and 19 inches (487mm) at Chicago, Illinois. In Chicago, temperatures plunge to -13°F (-25°C), and 68 deaths are reported.

Sunday 03:

The Mars Polar Lander launched.

Monday 04:

Gunmen open fire on Shiite Muslims worshipping in an Islamabad mosque killing 16 people injuring 25.

Wednesday 06:

Bob Newhart receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Thursday 07:

The impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton begins.

Friday 08:

Cosmologists announce that the expansion rate of the universe is increasing.

Wednesday 13:

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls basketball team announces his retirement (for the second time -- he has since rescinded his retirement).

Friday 15:

The Racak incident: 45 Albanians in the Kosovo village of Racak were killed by Yugoslav security forces.

Wednesday 20:

The China News Service announces new government restrictions on Internet use aimed especially at Internet bars.

Thursday 21:

War on Drugs: In one of the one of the largest drug busts in American history, the United States Coast Guard intercepts a ship with over 9,500 pounds (4,300 kg) of cocaine on board.

Saturday 23:

1999 - Australian Christian missionary Graham Stewart Stains and his two sons are burned alive by radical Hindus while sleeping in their car in eastern India.

Monday 25:

A 6.0 Richter scale earthquake hits western Colombia killing at least 1,000.

Saturday 30:

A 7-year old boy dies of choking on a Pokémon Power Bouncer ball toy.

Sunday 31:

Super Bowl XXXIII: The Denver Broncos defeat the Atlanta Falcons, 34-19. After the game, the TV show Family Guy airs its pilot episode.