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
- 02 Nov 1999 Honolulu Workplace Mass Shooting: On November 2, 1999, Byran Koji Uyesugi, a service technician at Xerox in Honolulu, Hawaii, opened fire inside the building, killing seven co-workers and injuring one. This incident remains the deadliest workplace shooting in Hawaii's history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 05 Nov 1999 President Clinton's remarks in Hermitage, Arkansas: On November 5, 1999, President Bill Clinton delivered remarks in Hermitage, Arkansas, focusing on various national issues and his administration's achievements. This event was part of his efforts to connect with constituents in his home state during his presidency. source: clintonwhitehouse4.archives.gov
- 06 Nov 1999 Australian Republic Referendum: On November 6, 1999, Australia held a referendum to decide whether to become a republic and replace the Queen with a President. The proposal was ultimately rejected by the majority of voters, maintaining the constitutional monarchy. source: abc.net.au
- 07 Nov 1999 Santana's 'Smooth' tops US charts: On November 7, 1999, Santana's hit single 'Smooth,' featuring Rob Thomas, reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song became one of the defining tracks of the late 1990s and contributed to Santana's resurgence in popularity. source: billboard.com
- 08 Nov 1999 Egon Krenz sentenced for East German border deaths: On November 8, 1999, Egon Krenz, the last communist leader of East Germany, was sentenced to prison for his role in the deaths of individuals attempting to flee to the West during the Cold War. This case highlighted the human rights violations during the regime. source: bbc.com
- 09 Nov 1999 TAESA Flight 725 crash: On November 9, 1999, TAESA Flight 725 crashed in Mexico, resulting in the loss of all 18 people on board. The incident raised concerns about aviation safety in the region. source: bbc.com
- 10 Nov 1999 World Anti-Doping Agency established: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established on November 10, 1999, in response to the growing concerns over doping in sports. WADA aims to promote, coordinate, and monitor the fight against doping in sports worldwide. source: bbc.com
- 11 Nov 1999 Apartment building collapse in Foggia, Italy: On November 11, 1999, a six-story apartment building in Foggia, Italy, collapsed, resulting in 67 fatalities and 3 injuries. The building, constructed less than 30 years prior, was home to 71 residents at the time of the disaster. The collapse occurred without significant warning signs, lasting only 19 seconds, and was registered by seismographs. Rescue operations were challenging due to a fire in the building's cellar, which impeded efforts and likely caused additional fatalities. The final survivor was rescued around 11 pm on the same day, with recovery operations continuing for several days. An official inquiry concluded in 2007, attributing the collapse to the use of poor-quality building materials in the structural framework. source: theguardian.com
- 12 Nov 1999 Düzce earthquake in Northwestern Turkey: On November 12, 1999, a powerful earthquake struck Düzce, a city in Northwestern Turkey, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale. The earthquake resulted in significant structural damage, with thousands of buildings destroyed and a substantial loss of life. Rescue and relief operations were launched to assist the affected population. source: reuters.com
- 13 Nov 1999 Lennox Lewis defeats Evander Holyfield for undisputed heavyweight title: On November 13, 1999, Lennox Lewis defeated Evander Holyfield by unanimous decision in a rematch at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, unifying the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles. source: espn.com
- 14 Nov 1999 Prince Sihanouk returns to Cambodia after 13 years in exile: On November 14, 1991, Prince Norodom Sihanouk returned to Cambodia after nearly 13 years in exile. He was welcomed by thousands of Cambodians in Phnom Penh, marking a significant moment in the country's history. source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Nov 1999 Mercury Transit in North America: On November 15, 1999, Mercury transited across the Sun, visible from parts of North America. The transit began at 21:15 UTC and concluded at 22:06 UTC, lasting almost 52 minutes. Observers in the United States could witness the event in the late afternoon, with Mercury appearing as a small black dot moving across the Sun's disk. source: timeanddate.com
- 16 Nov 1999 Death of Daniel Nathans, Nobel Prize-Winning Microbiologist: Daniel Nathans, an American microbiologist and Nobel laureate, passed away on November 16, 1999. He was renowned for his discovery of restriction enzymes, which have been instrumental in molecular biology. source: nobelprize.org
- 18 Nov 1999 Texas A&M Aggie Bonfire Tragedy: On November 18, 1999, a tragic accident occurred at Texas A&M University when a bonfire structure collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 12 students and injuring 27 others. The bonfire was part of a longstanding school tradition. source: texastribune.org
- 19 Nov 1999 Toy Story 2 released in theaters: On November 19, 1999, 'Toy Story 2' was released in theaters. The film is a sequel to the 1995 animated film 'Toy Story' and continues the adventures of Woody and Buzz Lightyear. source: boxofficemojo.com
- 21 Nov 1999 Death of Quentin Crisp: Quentin Crisp, the British writer and gay rights activist, died of a heart attack at the age of 90 in Manchester, England. He was found unconscious at a friend's home in Chorlton-cum-Hardy and was pronounced dead at Manchester Royal Infirmary. Crisp was known for his autobiography, 'The Naked Civil Servant,' and his one-man show. source: theguardian.com
- 23 Nov 1999 Hillary Clinton announces candidacy for New York Senate seat: On November 23, 1999, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton confirmed her intention to run for the U.S. Senate seat in New York, signaling her entry into the political arena. source: washingtonpost.com
- 27 Nov 1999 New Zealand Labour Party wins general election: On November 27, 1999, the New Zealand Labour Party, led by Helen Clark, secured 49 seats in the general election, defeating the National Party, which won 39 seats. This victory marked the beginning of the Fifth Labour Government, ending nine years of National Party rule. source: theguardian.com
- 28 Nov 1999 Anti-WTO protests in Seattle: In late November 1999, Seattle hosted the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, which was met with large-scale protests from various groups opposing the WTO's policies and practices. source: theguardian.com
- 29 Nov 1999 Malaysian general election held: Malaysia conducted its tenth general election, with the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, securing 149 out of 193 parliamentary seats, maintaining a two-thirds majority. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 30 Nov 1999 WTO protests in Seattle: In late November 1999, Seattle hosted the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, which was met with large-scale protests from various groups opposing the WTO's policies and practices. source: theguardian.com