previous year1989
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
2000next year

Major Events of December 1998: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1998 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of December 1998: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1998 Exxon-Mobil Merger Announcement: Exxon announced a landmark US$73.7 billion acquisition of Mobil, creating Exxon-Mobil, which became the second-largest company globally by revenue. This merger represented a significant consolidation in the energy sector and reshaped the global oil industry landscape.
  • 02 Dec 1998 Arrest of Bosnian Serb General for War Crimes: U.S. forces and international allies successfully captured Major General Radislav Krstic, a high-ranking Bosnian Serb military officer, who was subsequently charged with genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. This arrest was a pivotal moment in international justice, targeting a key figure responsible for war crimes during the Bosnian conflict.
  • 03 Dec 1998 Unremarkable Day in 1998: While no significant historical events were recorded for December 3, 1998, this date represents a typical day during the late 1990s, a period marked by technological advancement, economic growth, and the early stages of the digital revolution.
  • 04 Dec 1998 First American Component of International Space Station Launched: The Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully launched the Unity module, a critical 25,600 lb component of the International Space Station (ISS), during mission STS-88. Two days after launch, the module was docked with the previously launched Zarya module, marking a significant milestone in international space collaboration.
  • 05 Dec 1998 D.C. United Wins Interamerican Cup: On December 5, 1998, D.C. United achieved a historic victory by defeating Brazilian club Vasco da Gama 2-1 on aggregate in the Interamerican Cup. This triumph was a significant milestone for U.S. club soccer, demonstrating the growing competitiveness of American teams on the international stage. The two-leg match showcased D.C. United's skill and determination, marking one of the most memorable moments in the club's history.
  • 06 Dec 1998 First International Space Station Assembly in Orbit: The crew of space shuttle mission STS-88 initiated the historic construction of the International Space Station by successfully connecting the U.S.-built Unity node with the Russian-built Zarya module in space. This milestone represented an unprecedented international collaboration in space exploration and marked the beginning of a permanent human presence in low Earth orbit.
  • 07 Dec 1998 Noam Chomsky Celebrates 70th Birthday: Renowned linguist, philosopher, and political activist Noam Chomsky marked his 70th birthday. A transformative figure in linguistics and cognitive science, Chomsky revolutionized understanding of language acquisition and has been a prominent voice in political discourse.
  • 08 Dec 1998 International Anti-Corruption Conference: Vice President Albert Gore announced hosting the first international conference targeting corruption specifically among law enforcement and judicial personnel, demonstrating a significant global initiative to combat systemic corruption.
  • 09 Dec 1998 Pinochet Extradition Legal Battle Continues: In a significant legal development, British Home Secretary upheld the House of Lords' decision regarding former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet's extradition case. The ruling allows the Spanish extradition proceedings to continue in England, marking a crucial moment in international human rights accountability.
  • 10 Dec 1998 Amartya Sen Wins Nobel Prize in Economics: Indian economist Amartya Sen was awarded the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics for his groundbreaking work in welfare economics. Sen's research fundamentally transformed understanding of economic well-being by introducing concepts of individual welfare, social choice theory, and the relationship between economic development and human freedom. His scholarly contributions have been pivotal in analyzing poverty, famines, and social welfare from a multidimensional perspective.
  • 11 Dec 1998 Clinton Impeachment Proceedings Advance: The House Judiciary Committee approved three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, marking a significant moment in American political history and setting the stage for a potential Senate trial.
  • 12 Dec 1998 Pennsylvania Ratifies the U.S. Constitution: On December 12, 1787, Pennsylvania became the second state to ratify the United States Constitution, playing a crucial role in the formation of the new American government and democratic system.
  • 13 Dec 1998 Tragic Christmas Market Massacre in Liège: A horrific murder-suicide occurred at a Christmas market in Liège, Belgium, resulting in a devastating loss of life and numerous injuries. The incident claimed six lives and left 125 people wounded, shocking the local community and highlighting the potential for sudden, extreme violence in public spaces.
  • 14 Dec 1998 Palestinian Charter Modification in Gaza: In a historic diplomatic moment, President Bill Clinton witnessed a pivotal vote by former Palestinian guerrilla fighters in Gaza. The group voted to remove charter clauses calling for the destruction of Israel, signaling a potential shift towards peaceful negotiations and recognition of Israel's right to exist.
  • 15 Dec 1998 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were documented for December 15, 1998, this day represents a moment in the late 20th century during a period of relative global stability following the end of the Cold War. The late 1990s were characterized by economic growth, technological advancement, and increasing globalization.
  • 16 Dec 1998 Iraq Disarmament Crisis: Operation Desert Fox Begins: On December 16, 1998, the United States and Great Britain launched Operation Desert Fox, a significant military intervention targeting Iraq's weapons capabilities. U.S. President Bill Clinton ordered airstrikes on Iraq after UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission) withdrew all weapons inspectors from the country. The operation involved precision strikes on nearly 100 strategic targets, including air defense systems, command centers, weapons production facilities, and Republican Guard units, with the primary objective of degrading Iraq's capacity to develop and maintain weapons of mass destruction.
  • 17 Dec 1998 US Prepares Air Strikes Against Iraq: The United States confronted Iraq over its non-compliance with UN weapons inspections, giving Saddam Hussein a final opportunity to cooperate with UNSCOM. After the UN Security Council unanimously condemned Iraq's actions, President Clinton prepared military intervention. At the last moment, Iraq pledged to resume cooperation with weapons inspectors, narrowly avoiding immediate air strikes.
  • 18 Dec 1998 Impeachment of President Bill Clinton: The U.S. House of Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton on two articles of impeachment: perjury to a grand jury and obstruction of justice. These charges stemmed from the Monica Lewinsky scandal and Clinton's subsequent attempts to conceal details of his personal relationship. This was only the second presidential impeachment in U.S. history, marking a significant moment in American political governance.
  • 19 Dec 1998 Clinton Impeachment by House of Representatives: On December 19, 1998, the United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton, marking a significant moment in American political history. The impeachment was based on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, making Clinton the second president in U.S. history to be impeached.
  • 20 Dec 1998 Zinedine Zidane Wins Ballon d'Or: Zinedine Zidane, the legendary French midfielder playing for Juventus, was awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or, recognizing him as the best footballer in Europe. The voting process occurred on December 20, with the official announcement made on December 22.
  • 21 Dec 1998 UN Security Council Tensions over Iraq Sanctions: During the Iraq disarmament crisis, France, Germany, and Russia called for an end to sanctions against Iraq and proposed disbanding or restructuring UNSCOM (United Nations Special Commission). The United States firmly rejected these proposals, indicating a significant diplomatic standoff regarding Iraq's compliance with international weapons inspections.
  • 22 Dec 1998 Zinedine Zidane Wins Ballon d'Or: Juventus' French midfielder Zinedine Zidane was awarded the prestigious Ballon d'Or, recognizing him as the best football player in Europe for 1998. He beat out strong competition from Real Madrid's Davor Šuker and Inter Milan's Ronaldo, solidifying his status as one of the most talented footballers of his generation.
  • 24 Dec 1998 Fatal Accident at Disneyland Ride: On December 24, 1998, a tragic incident occurred at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, when a tourist, Luan Phi Dawson, was struck by a piece of flying metal while waiting to board a ride. The accident also injured Dawson's wife and a Disneyland employee. Dawson succumbed to his injuries on December 26th, highlighting the potential safety risks in amusement park attractions.
  • 25 Dec 1998 Death of John Pulman, English Snooker Pioneer: John Pulman, a significant figure in early English professional snooker, passed away on December 25, 1998. Born in 1923, Pulman was a prominent player during the pre-television era of snooker and played a crucial role in developing the sport's popularity in the United Kingdom. He was known for his skillful play and contributions to establishing snooker as a professional competitive sport.
  • 26 Dec 1998 Iraq Disarmament Crisis Escalation: Iraq announces its intention to fire upon U.S. and British warplanes patrolling the northern and southern 'no-fly zones', heightening tensions in the ongoing Iraq disarmament crisis.
  • 27 Dec 1998 Uneventful Day in Global History: On December 27, 1998, no significant global events were recorded. This day appears to have been relatively quiet across international political, social, economic, and cultural landscapes, representing a period of routine global activities.
  • 28 Dec 1998 Khmer Rouge Apologizes for Cambodian Genocide: In a historic moment of accountability, leaders of the Khmer Rouge formally apologized for the devastating genocide that occurred in Cambodia during the 1970s, acknowledging their role in the systematic killing of over one million people during their brutal regime.
  • 29 Dec 1998 Khmer Rouge Leaders Apologize for Cambodian Genocide: On December 29, 1998, leaders of the Khmer Rouge formally apologized for the devastating genocide that occurred in Cambodia during the 1970s, which resulted in the deaths of over one million people. This rare acknowledgment came after nearly two decades of silence and was seen as a significant, though insufficient, step towards reconciliation for the survivors and families of victims.
  • 30 Dec 1998 Uneventful Day in Late 1998: While no specific major historical events were recorded for December 30, 1998, this day was part of a significant period marked by technological advancement, global economic shifts, and geopolitical changes. The late 1990s were characterized by the rapid growth of the internet, the dot-com boom, and increasing globalization. The world was on the cusp of the new millennium, with significant anticipation and preparations for the potential Y2K computer bug.
  • 31 Dec 1998 Eurozone Currency Rates Finalization: In the Eurozone, the currency exchange rates are permanently fixed, a critical step in preparing for the introduction of the euro currency.