Major Events of September 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 September 1998 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of September 1998: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Sep 1998 Google founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin: Google was founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were Ph.D. students at Stanford University. The company started as a search engine and has since grown into one of the largest technology companies in the world. source: britannica.com
- 02 Sep 1998 Jean-Paul Akayesu convicted of genocide: On September 2, 1998, Jean-Paul Akayesu became the first person to be convicted of genocide by an international tribunal. His conviction was based on his role in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, where he was found guilty of inciting and committing acts of genocide. source: icc-cpi.int
- 03 Sep 1998 Hurricane Earl makes landfall near Panama City, Florida: Hurricane Earl, a Category 2 storm, made landfall near Panama City, Florida, on September 3, 1998. The hurricane caused significant damage, including a storm surge up to 12 feet and rainfall peaking at 16.36 inches. Two fatalities occurred due to a capsized boat off Panama City, and the total damage in Florida was estimated at $73 million (1998 USD). source: weather.gov
- 04 Sep 1998 Google founded by Stanford students: On September 4, 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Ph.D. students at Stanford University, founded Google, a search engine that would revolutionize the internet by providing more relevant search results. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 06 Sep 1998 Death of Akira Kurosawa: Renowned Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa passed away on September 6, 1998, at the age of 88 in Tokyo, Japan, due to a stroke. source: washingtonpost.com
- 08 Sep 1998 South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission Hearing: The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission held a hearing on September 8, 1998, focusing on human rights violations during apartheid. This commission aimed to address the past injustices and promote national unity and reconciliation. source: sahistory.org.za
- 09 Sep 1998 Uruguay's Didier Opertiri elected UN General Assembly President: Didier Opertiri of Uruguay was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly on September 9, 1998. His election marked a significant moment for Uruguay in international diplomacy and governance. source: un.org
- 10 Sep 1998 Branson and Fossett's balloon flight collaboration: On September 10, 1998, Richard Branson and Steve Fossett announced their collaboration for a transatlantic balloon flight. This venture aimed to break records in ballooning and showcased advancements in aeronautics. source: theguardian.com
- 11 Sep 1998 Starr report accuses President Clinton: On September 11, 1998, Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr submitted his report to Congress, accusing President Bill Clinton of perjury and obstruction of justice related to the Monica Lewinsky scandal. This report led to a significant political crisis in the United States. source: nytimes.com
- 12 Sep 1998 Arrest of the Cuban Five intelligence agents: On September 12, 1998, five Cuban intelligence agents were arrested in the United States for espionage activities. Their case became a significant point of contention in U.S.-Cuba relations. source: reuters.com
- 13 Sep 1998 Death of George Wallace, controversial Alabama governor: George Wallace, the former governor of Alabama known for his pro-segregation stance, died on September 13, 1998. His political career was marked by his infamous stand against desegregation during the Civil Rights Movement. Wallace's legacy remains controversial, reflecting the complexities of race relations in America. source: nytimes.com
- 14 Sep 1998 Formation of GSPC in Algeria: The Group for Salafist Preaching and Combat (GSPC) was formed in Algeria on September 14, 1998. This group emerged from the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and aimed to establish an Islamic state in Algeria. The formation of GSPC marked a significant development in the ongoing conflict in Algeria during the 1990s. source: bbc.com
- 15 Sep 1998 WorldCom and MCI Communications merger: On September 15, 1998, WorldCom announced its merger with MCI Communications, creating one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world. This merger was significant in the telecom industry, reshaping the competitive landscape and leading to further consolidation in the sector. The deal was valued at approximately $37 billion. source: wsj.com
- 16 Sep 1998 Google's incorporation: Google was officially incorporated on September 16, 1998, by Larry Page and Sergey Brin while they were PhD students at Stanford University. The company started as a search engine and has since evolved into a global technology leader. source: forbes.com
- 17 Sep 1998 U.S. terrorism suspects linked to embassy bombings: On September 17, 1998, U.S. authorities announced that several suspects had been linked to the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. This marked a significant development in the investigation of the attacks that occurred earlier that year. source: nytimes.com
- 18 Sep 1998 FDA approves new AIDS medication: On September 18, 1998, the FDA approved a new medication for the treatment of AIDS, marking a significant advancement in the fight against the disease. This approval aimed to improve the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS. source: fda.gov
- 19 Sep 1998 ICANN established to govern internet naming systems: The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was established on September 19, 1998, to oversee the global domain name system. This organization plays a crucial role in maintaining the stability and security of the internet. source: icann.org
- 20 Sep 1998 'Will & Grace' television premiere: 'Will & Grace,' a groundbreaking television series, premiered on September 20, 1998. The show became known for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters and relationships, influencing television and culture significantly. source: hulu.com
- 21 Sep 1998 Death of Florence Griffith-Joyner, Olympic sprint legend: Florence Griffith-Joyner, known as Flo-Jo, passed away at age 38 due to an epileptic seizure. She was renowned for her world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters, set during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Sep 1998 Pakistan commits to nuclear test moratorium: On September 23, 1998, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged that Pakistan would adhere to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), provided India reciprocated and the U.S. ceased economic sanctions. source: nuke.fas.org
- 24 Sep 1998 Hurricane Georges impacts southeastern United States: Hurricane Georges made landfall in the southeastern United States on September 24, 1998, causing significant damage in states such as Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. source: weather.gov
- 25 Sep 1998 Ken Griffey Jr. hits 350th career home run: On September 25, 1998, during a game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners, Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 350th career home run in the sixth inning, becoming the youngest player to reach this milestone at that time. source: mlb.com
- 26 Sep 1998 Rare simultaneous Atlantic hurricane event: On September 26, 1998, the Atlantic Ocean experienced a rare event where two hurricanes, Georges and Ivan, were active simultaneously, impacting different regions. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Sep 1998 Google's founding: On September 27, 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin officially founded Google, a search engine that would revolutionize the internet. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Sep 1998 Sammy Sosa breaks MLB home run record: On September 28, 1998, Sammy Sosa hit his 66th home run of the season, breaking the previous Major League Baseball record. This achievement was part of a historic home run race between Sosa and Mark McGwire, capturing national attention and revitalizing interest in baseball after the 1994 strike. source: espn.com
- 29 Sep 1998 U.S. Congress passes Iraq Liberation Act: On September 29, 1998, the U.S. Congress passed the Iraq Liberation Act, which aimed to support efforts to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The act authorized funding for opposition groups and was a significant step in U.S. foreign policy regarding Iraq. source: congress.gov
- 30 Sep 1998 Passing of Pavel Štěpán, Czech pianist: Pavel Štěpán, a renowned Czech pianist, passed away on September 30, 1998. He was known for his contributions to classical music and his performances across Europe, leaving a legacy in the music community. source: gramophone.co.uk