Major Events of November 1999: 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 November 1999 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of November 1999: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Nov 1999 Maastricht Treaty Establishes Euro Currency: The Maastricht Treaty officially came into force, marking a pivotal moment in European economic integration by establishing the Euro as a common currency for European Union member states. This landmark agreement represented a significant step towards economic and monetary union, fundamentally transforming financial interactions across Europe.
02 Nov 1999 Honolulu Workplace Mass Shooting: A tragic mass shooting occurred in Honolulu, marking the worst mass murder in Hawaii's history. A lone gunman attacked his workplace, shooting eight people and fatally killing seven individuals. This devastating incident shocked the local community and raised significant concerns about workplace violence and public safety.
03 Nov 1999 Los Angeles Lakers Debut at STAPLES Center: On November 3, 1999, the Los Angeles Lakers inaugurated their new home, the STAPLES Center, with a triumphant 103-88 victory against the Vancouver Grizzlies. The momentous occasion was marked by a special ceremony that celebrated the team's rich history, featuring the unveiling of retired jerseys and championship banners. Basketball legends Magic Johnson and iconic commentator Chick Hearn co-hosted the event, symbolizing the Lakers' storied legacy and their transition to a state-of-the-art arena in downtown Los Angeles.
04 Nov 1999 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no significant global events were recorded on November 4, 1999, this date represents a moment in time during the late 20th century, just before the turn of the millennium. The world was experiencing technological anticipation related to potential Y2K computer issues and was in a period of relative geopolitical stability following the end of the Cold War.
05 Nov 1999 United States v. Microsoft Antitrust Case: U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson issued a landmark preliminary ruling finding that Microsoft Corporation possessed monopoly power in the personal computer operating systems market, marking a critical moment in the landmark antitrust case against the software giant.
06 Nov 1999 Australian Republic Referendum: On November 6, 1999, Australians voted in a historic referendum to maintain the British monarch as their head of state, rejecting a proposal to become a republic. The referendum proposed replacing the Queen and Governor-General with a president appointed by the Australian Parliament, but was defeated by a majority of voters.
07 Nov 1999 Santana's 'Smooth' Tops US Charts: On November 7, 1999, 'Smooth' by Santana featuring Rob Thomas dominated the US music charts. The song, which blended rock and Latin music styles, was a massive commercial success and became one of the most popular tracks of the late 1990s.
08 Nov 1999 Egon Krenz Sentenced for East German Border Deaths: The German Supreme Court (Gerichtshof) sentenced Egon Krenz, a former high-ranking East German political leader, to prison for his role in the systemic killings of East Germans attempting to flee the country during the Cold War era.
09 Nov 1999 TAESA Flight 725 Crash: TAESA Flight 725 crashed shortly after departing from Uruapan International Airport in Michoacán, Mexico, resulting in a tragic aviation disaster. The aircraft was en route to Mexico City when it went down, causing the death of 112 passengers and crew members. The incident highlighted significant aviation safety concerns and led to investigations into the potential causes of the crash.
10 Nov 1999 World Anti-Doping Agency Established: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was officially founded in Lausanne, Switzerland, marking a significant milestone in the global fight against performance-enhancing drug use in sports. This international independent organization was created to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sports through education, research, and global collaboration among sports organizations, governments, and athletes.
11 Nov 1999 House of Lords Reform in the United Kingdom: The House of Lords Act receives Royal Assent, marking a significant constitutional reform that dramatically reduces the number of hereditary peers who can sit in the upper chamber of the British Parliament. This landmark legislation fundamentally transforms the composition of the House of Lords, removing the automatic right of hereditary aristocrats to legislative participation and representing a major step towards modernizing the British parliamentary system.
12 Nov 1999 Düzce Earthquake in Northwestern Turkey: On November 12, 1999, a devastating magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck northwestern Turkey, causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life. The earthquake resulted in at least 894 fatalities and left 4,948 people injured. The seismic event was particularly destructive, with intense ground shaking that caused extensive damage to infrastructure and communities in the region.
13 Nov 1999 Lennox Lewis Defeats Evander Holyfield for Undisputed Heavyweight Title: In a highly anticipated boxing match, Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield by unanimous decision after 12 intense rounds, unifying the heavyweight championship and solidifying his status as the world's top heavyweight boxer. This victory was a pivotal moment in Lewis's career, demonstrating his technical skill and dominance in the ring.
14 Nov 1999 Lech Wałęsa Released from Internment: Lech Wałęsa, the prominent leader of Poland's outlawed Solidarity movement, was released after eleven months of internment near the Soviet border. His release was a significant moment in the Polish resistance against communist rule and marked a pivotal point in the country's path to democracy.
15 Nov 1999 Mercury Transit in North America: A rare astronomical event occurred on November 15, 1999, with the transit of Mercury becoming visible across North America, offering astronomers and sky watchers a unique celestial observation.
16 Nov 1999 Death of Daniel Nathans, Nobel Prize-Winning Microbiologist: Daniel Nathans, a distinguished American microbiologist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, passed away on November 16, 1999. Born in 1928, Nathans made significant contributions to molecular biology and genetic research, helping to advance our understanding of genetic mechanisms.
18 Nov 1999 Texas A&M Aggie Bonfire Tragedy: At Texas A&M University, the annual Aggie Bonfire catastrophically collapsed during construction, resulting in 12 student deaths and 27 injuries. The incident occurred at approximately 2:42 a.m. on November 18, 1999, in College Station, Texas. The collapse was attributed to excessive internal stresses on the log structure and inadequate wiring strength. An official memorial service was held less than 17 hours after the tragedy, with over 16,000 mourners attending, highlighting the profound impact on the university community.
19 Nov 1999 Clinton Impeachment Vote in House of Representatives: The United States House of Representatives voted to impeach President Bill Clinton, a significant political event that marked a critical moment in late 20th-century American political history. This vote was part of the broader Monica Lewinsky scandal and subsequent legal proceedings.
20 Nov 1999 China's First Shenzhou Spacecraft Launch: The People's Republic of China successfully launched its first Shenzhou spacecraft, marking a significant milestone in the country's space exploration program. This unmanned mission represented a crucial step in China's ambitions to develop independent human spaceflight capabilities, demonstrating the nation's growing technological prowess in aerospace engineering.
21 Nov 1999 Elián González Custody Case: Five-year-old Elián González departs Cuba with his mother, Marisleysis Gonzalez, following a highly publicized international custody battle that captured global media attention and highlighted complex US-Cuba relations.
22 Nov 1999 Elian Gonzalez Coast Guard Sighting: A pivotal moment in U.S.-Cuba relations occurs when Elian Gonzalez and his mother are discovered by the U.S. Coast Guard off the Florida coast, sparking an international custody and immigration controversy that would captivate global media and diplomatic circles.
23 Nov 1999 Hillary Clinton Enters New York Senate Race: Hillary Rodham Clinton officially announced her candidacy for a United States Senate seat representing New York State, marking a significant moment in her political career outside of her role as First Lady.
24 Nov 1999 Çaldıran-Muradiye Earthquake in Eastern Turkey: On November 24, 1999, a devastating earthquake struck the Çaldıran and Muradiye regions in eastern Turkey, causing massive destruction and significant loss of life. The seismic event resulted in between 4,000 and 5,000 fatalities, making it one of the most deadly earthquakes in Turkey's modern history. The earthquake's epicenter was located in a tectonically active region, highlighting the geological vulnerability of eastern Turkey to significant seismic events. The disaster exposed critical infrastructure weaknesses and prompted subsequent improvements in Turkey's earthquake preparedness and response strategies.
25 Nov 1999 Elián González Rescue: A five-year-old Cuban boy, Elián González, was dramatically rescued by fishermen while floating alone on an inner tube off the Florida coast. This event would become a significant international incident that highlighted the complex political tensions between the United States and Cuba, sparking a major custody and immigration dispute.
26 Nov 1999 Vanuatu Earthquake and Tsunami: On November 26, 1999, a devastating magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Ambrym region of Vanuatu, triggering a destructive tsunami that caused significant loss of life and widespread damage. The powerful seismic event resulted in at least ten fatalities and approximately forty injuries, highlighting the region's vulnerability to geological hazards.
27 Nov 1999 New Zealand Labour Party Election Victory: The New Zealand Labour Party, led by Helen Clark, wins a decisive general election, defeating the incumbent administration of Jenny Shipley and marking a significant political transition in the country's governance.
28 Nov 1999 Anti-WTO Protests in Seattle: Large-scale demonstrations erupted in downtown Seattle during the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, with hundreds of protesters challenging global trade policies. Activists from various backgrounds, including environmental groups, labor unions, and farmers, staged coordinated protests criticizing the WTO's trade rules. Street performers and agricultural workers symbolically demonstrated against corporate-centric trade regulations, highlighting concerns about worker rights and environmental sustainability.
29 Nov 1999 WTO Seattle Protests: Massive protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Seattle, Washington, United States, erupted, catching local law enforcement unprepared and ultimately forcing the cancellation of the conference's opening ceremonies. These demonstrations represented a significant moment in the anti-globalization movement, with thousands of activists, labor unions, and environmental groups converging to challenge international trade policies.
30 Nov 1999 Seattle WTO Protests: On November 30, 1999, massive anti-globalization demonstrations erupted in Seattle, Washington, catching local law enforcement completely off-guard. The protests, which would continue until December 3, successfully disrupted the World Trade Organization's meeting and forced the cancellation of its opening ceremonies. This event marked a pivotal moment in the global anti-globalization movement, highlighting growing international concerns about economic globalization and its potential negative impacts.