1999

Facts and Events That Happened in This Year

Dec 31

Boris Yeltsin resigned as the President of Russia, which left Prime Minister Vladimir Putin as acting President.

Dec 3

NASA lost radio contact with the Mars Polar Lander moments before the spacecraft entered the Martian atmosphere.

Dec 1

Jay-Z stabbed Lance Rivera.

Nov 30

Following a ban on exporting beef products from the UK, the government announced that the ban on beef on the bone would be lifted.

Nov 22

American country singer Toby Keith released his single 'How Do You Like Me Now?!'

Nov 19

The People's Republic of China launched Shenzhou 1, the first uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft.

Nov 16

Rapper Dr. Dre released his second album, 'The Chronic 2001.'

Nov 9

Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli released his sixth album, 'Sacred Arias,' which sold over 5 million copies, making it the highest-selling classical album ever by a solo singer.

Oct 31

Medal of Honor was released for PlayStation, instantly becoming the best shooter to date.

Oct 29

India was hit by the Odisha super cyclone, India's strongest storm.

Oct 12

The six billionth living human being was born.

Sep 10

Fight Club, starring Brad Pitt, premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.

Aug 11

The last total solar eclipse of the 20th century occurred and was visible from Europe and Asia.

Aug 1

The Petronas Towers opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Jul 31

NASA's Lunar Prospector spacecraft was deliberately crashed into the Moon’s south pole.

Jul 27

Tony Hawk landed the first '900' on a skateboard at the 5th annual X Games in San Francisco.

Jul 25

Lance Armstrong won Tour de France for the 7th consecutive run.

Jul 23

Eileen Collins became the first female space shuttle commander with the launch of mission STS-93.

Jul 22

Woodstock '99 concert took place in Rome, New York, US.

May 19

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace was released in US cinemas.

May 7

The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser, premiered in the US.

May 3

An F5 tornado hit Oklahoma City, where the highest global wind speeds were recorded.

May 1

SpongeBob SquarePants premiered on Nickelodeon.

Apr 14

NATO accidentally bombed a refugee convoy in Kosovo, killing seventy-three.

Apr 4

Jack Ma founded Alibaba Group Holding Limited.

Apr 1

Canada formed the territory of Nunavut to recognize the traditional lands of their native Inuit people.

Mar 31

The Matrix was released in the US and grossed over $460 million worldwide.

Mar 31

Romantic comedy ''10 Things I hate About You" was released.

Mar 24

A truck carrying margarine and flour caught fire inside the Mont Blanc Tunnel.

Mar 23

Ricky Martin's 'Livin' La Vida Loca' was released.

Mar 20

The first Legoland outside of Europe opened in Carlsbad, California.

Mar 12

The Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland formally joined NATO.

Feb 23

Eminem's album The Slim Shady LP went on sale.

Feb 23

Silent Hill, the first installment in the Silent Hill series, was released for the PlayStation.

Feb 8

Mario Party was released in North America for the Nintendo 64.

Jan 31

'Family Guy' by Seth MacFarlane premiered on Fox.

Jan 10

The Sopranos, the hit American crime drama, debuted on HBO.

Jan 3

The Mars Polar Lander was launched.

Jan 1

The Euro currency was introduced and adopted by 11 Member States.