A 1999 newspaper is a perfect birthday gift or present for any history buff. This year marked the end of the 1990s, but also the end of the 20th century. Find out what happened in 1999 as people all over the world prepared themselves for welcoming in a new millennium. Through the world’s largest archive of newspapers, you can find a genuine original from any day this year and see for yourself which events were making the headlines.
What events made it into the headlines of news articles from 1999? Major 1999 headlines provide a fascinating insight into what life was like as the world was poised on the brink of a new century. It was in 1999 that the first version of ‘MSN Messenger’ was released by Microsoft, the world population reached 6 billion, and the euro made its debut as the official European currency. It was also the year of the Columbine shooting, which abruptly awakened everyone about the gun laws in America. An authentic 1999 newspaper is a wonderful way to understand the past from first hand accounts of events as they happened at the time. Understand history through the words and images of those who were there at the time.
January 7, 1999
The Senate trial in the impeachment of President Bill Clinton begins. He had been impeached by the House of Representatives on December 19.
February 12, 1999
President Bill Clinton is acquitted by the Senate.
27th February 1999
Colin Prescot and Andy Elson set a new endurance record while attempting to circumnavigate the world in a hot air balloon. They had been aloft for a record 233 hours and 55 minutes.
March 20, 1999
The only Legoland outside of Europe opens in Carlsbad, California.
March 21, 1999
The 71st Academy Awards takes place, with Shakespeare in Love winning Best Picture.
March 24,1999
NATO launches air strikes against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which refused to sign a peace treaty. This marks the first time NATO has attacked a sovereign country.
May 1, 1999
Spongebob Squarepants, the popular children’s TV series, debuts on Nickelodeon.
May 19, 1999
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace is released in theaters and becomes the highest grossing Star Wars film.
May 29, 1999
Cathy O’Dowd, a South African mountaineer, becomes the first woman to summit Mount Everest from both the north and south sides.
June 12, 1999
Texas Governor George W. Bush announces he will seek the Republican Party nomination for President of the United States.
July 16, 1999
A plane piloted by John F. Kennedy Jr. crashes off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard, kidding him, his wife and his sister.
July 22, 1999
The first version of ‘MSN Messenger’ is released by Microsoft.
July 23-25, 1999
The Woodstock ’99 festival is held in New York.
September 7, 1999
An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hits Athens, killing 143 people and injuring more than 2,000.
October 12, 1999
World population reaches six billion, as the United Nations declare the six billionth person is born in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.