May 1998

Saturday 02:

The European Central Bank is founded in Brussels in order to define and execute the EU's monetary policy.

Monday 04:

A federal judge in Sacramento, California, gives "Unabomber" Theodore Kaczynski four life sentences plus 30 years after Kaczynski accepted a plea agreement sparing him from the death penalty.

Wednesday 06:

The body of former CIA director William Colby was found washed up on a riverbank in southern Maryland, eight days after he’d disappeared.

Thursday 07:

Mercedes-Benz buys Chrysler for US$40 billion and forms DaimlerChrysler in the largest industrial merger in history.

Saturday 09:

In Birmingham, United Kingdom, Dana International wins the forty-third Eurovision Song Contest for Israel singing "Diva".

Sunday 10:

National elections are held in Hungary.

Monday 11:

ZDTV, "the official technology television network", begins broadcasting. It lasts six years before merging with G4 to become G4techTV, a gaming channel.

Wednesday 13:

Following India's second round of nuclear tests the United States and Japan impose economic sanctions.

Thursday 14:

After nine years on the air, the series finale of the television sitcom Seinfeld airs on NBC.

Monday 18:

United States v. Microsoft: The United States Department of Justice and 20 U.S. states file an antitrust case against Microsoft.

Thursday 21:

Reproductive rights: In Miami, Florida, five abortion clinics are hit by a butyric acid attacker.

Friday 22:

Lewinsky scandal: A federal judge rules that United States Secret Service agents can be compelled to testify before a grand jury concerning the scandal, involving President Bill Clinton.

Saturday 23:

The Good Friday Agreement is accepted in a referendum, with a high margin of three-fourth 'yes' votes to Northern Ireland.

Wednesday 27:

Oklahoma City bombing: Michael Fortier is sentenced to 12 years in prison and fined $200,000 for failing to warn authorities about the terrorist plot.

Thursday 28:

Nuclear testing: Pakistan responds to a series of Indian nuclear tests with five of its own, prompting the United States, Japan, and other nations to impose economic sanctions.

Saturday 30:

A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hits northern Afghanistan, killing up to 5,000.