Retrospective 1999

Politics

• Referendum in East Timor: In August, a referendum resulted in East Timor's independence after 24 years of Indonesian occupation. The UN intervention stabilized the region following post-election violence.
• Vladimir Putin's Appointment: In August, Vladimir Putin was appointed Prime Minister of Russia, beginning his rise to power. He became acting president in December after Boris Yeltsin's resignation.
• Overthrow of Nawaz Sharif: In October, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was overthrown in a military coup led by General Pervez Musharraf.
• Impeachment Trial of Bill Clinton: US President Bill Clinton faced an impeachment trial in the Senate related to the Monica Lewinsky affair, in which Clinton was accused of perjury and obstruction of justice.

International Conflicts

• Kosovo War and NATO Intervention: The Kosovo conflict ended in June 1999 after a NATO bombing campaign against Serbia aimed at ending violence against Kosovo Albanians. This led to the de facto independence of Kosovo and redefined NATO's role in humanitarian interventions.
• Second Chechen War: In September, Russia launched a military intervention in Chechnya following a series of bombings. The conflict would last for several years.
• Civil War in Sierra Leone: The civil war peaked in 1999, marked by atrocities committed by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebels. The intervention of the United Nations began to stabilize the country.
• Second Congo War: The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo continued, involving nine African countries and numerous militias, making it one of the deadliest conflicts since World War II.
• Kargil War: In May 1999, clashes erupted in the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan. The Kargil War ended in July with an Indian victory and the withdrawal of Pakistani forces.

Disasters and Tragedies

• Earthquake in Turkey (Izmit): In August 1999, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck Turkey, killing over 17,000 people.
• Cyclone in Orissa (India): In October, a cyclone caused approximately 10,000 deaths and affected over 15 million people.
• EgyptAir Flight 990 Crash: In October, EgyptAir Flight 990 crashed into the Atlantic, killing all 217 people on board.
• Mont Blanc Tunnel Fire: In March, a fire in the Mont Blanc Tunnel caused the deaths of 39 people, leading to the tunnel's closure for safety renovations.
• Columbine Massacre: In April, a shooting at Columbine High School shocked the United States, sparking a broad debate on gun control and school safety.
• Oil Spill on Brittany Coast: The sinking of the tanker Erika spilled 20,000 tons of oil, causing an oil spill along the Brittany coast and killing between 150,000 and 300,000 birds.

Society

• Y2K Bug: Fears of the Y2K bug triggered a global technological panic over potential computer system failures at midnight on December 31.
• Seattle Protests: In November, protests erupted against the WTO in Seattle, becoming a symbol of growing opposition to economic globalization.
• Music and Cinema: The release of films like *The Matrix* and the album *Californication* by Red Hot Chili Peppers embodied new cultural trends at the end of the century.

Economy

• Growth of Tech Companies: The global economy experienced a surge in speculation around dot-com companies, reaching its peak the following year.
• Introduction of the Euro: On January 1, the euro was introduced for electronic transactions in 11 EU countries, marking a major step in European economic integration.