Explore 194 historical moments from 1998 — 26 events, 168 birthdays, and 0 notable deaths.
Argentinian physicist Juan Maldacena published a landmark paper initiating the study of AdS/CFT correspondence. This work links string theory and quantum gravity.
The Drudge Report became the first news source to publicly break the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal.
Karla Faye Tucker became the first woman executed in the United States since 1984. This occurred despite an international movement advocating for her sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment.
An earthquake registering 5.9 MW struck northern Afghanistan, triggering landslides that killed over 2,300 people and destroyed around 15,000 homes.
China Airlines Flight 676 crashed due to autopilot over-reliance while approaching Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, killing all 202 people on board.
At the age of 15, American figure skater Tara Lipinski became the youngest winner of an Olympic gold medal in the history of the Winter Olympic Games on February 20, 1998.
On May 12, 1998, four students were shot and killed by Indonesian soldiers at Trisakti University in Jakarta. This event led to widespread riots and the resignation of President Suharto nine days later.
Indonesian president Suharto resigned after a collapse of support for his presidency amid economic and political crises. His resignation ended 32 years of authoritarian rule.
The Court of Appeal of Singapore overruled a High Court decision in Public Prosecutor v Taw Cheng Kong. This was the only time a statute in Singapore had been ruled unconstitutional.
A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck northern Afghanistan, killing at least 4,000 people and destroying over 30 villages.
Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the Oklahoma City bombing.
White supremacists murdered James Byrd Jr. by chaining him behind a pickup truck and dragging him along an asphalt road in Jasper, Texas.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling, the second novel of the Harry Potter series, was published.
The North Korean monster movie Pulgasari, the most-widely-seen North Korean film ever made, premiered in Tokyo, Japan.
France defeated the defending champions Brazil 3–0 to win their first FIFA World Cup title.
A gunman entered the United States Capitol and opened fire, killing two police officers.
Car bombs exploded simultaneously at the American embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Nairobi, Kenya, killing over 200 people and injuring more than 4,000.
The Taliban raided the Iranian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. This resulted in the deaths of 10 Iranian diplomats and a journalist.
A car bomb attack carried out by the Real Irish Republican Army killed 29 people and injured approximately 220 others in Omagh, Northern Ireland.
The Al-Shifa pharmaceutical factory in Sudan was destroyed by a U.S. missile strike. This was in retaliation for the August 7 U.S. embassy bombings.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) was incorporated to manage internet domain names and IP addresses.
Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was attacked and fatally wounded near Laramie, Wyoming, U.S., dying six days later.
A new airport for Oslo, Norway, opened at Gardermoen, replacing a smaller one that had served as a backup to the city's previous main airport.
At 77 years old, former astronaut John Glenn returned to space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-95 mission.
Yugoslav forces ambushed a group of Kosovo Liberation Army militants attempting to smuggle weapons into Yugoslavia from Albania.
The European Exchange Rate Mechanism froze the exchange rates of the legacy currencies in the eurozone, establishing the value of the euro.
Cem Bölükbaşı, a Turkish racing driver and former sim racer, was born.
Todd Cantwell, an English footballer, was born. He has played for several clubs in English football.
Ethel Cain is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and model.
Paris Jackson, an American actress, model, and singer, was born.
Nathan Broadhead, a Welsh football player, was born on April 5, 1998.
Anna Odine Strøm is a Norwegian ski jumper and a two-time Olympic champion.
Suppapong Udomkaewkanjana, known as Saint, is a Thai actor and singer.
Song Yu-bin is a South Korean singer and actor, a member of the boy group MYTEEN.
Alexander O'Connor, also known as Rex Orange County, is an English musician.
Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was born on May 6, 1998.
Ryan Papenhuyzen is an Australian professional rugby league footballer.
Jaden Smith, an American actor and rapper, was born.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a Canadian professional basketball player.
Bindi Irwin, Australian conservationist, zookeeper, and actress, was born.
China Anne McClain is an American actress and singer.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is a Canadian professional basketball player.
Trevon Diggs, American football player, was born on September 20, 1998.
Yui Imaizumi is a Japanese actress, singer, model, and television personality.
Teuku Wariza Aris Munandar, Indonesian activist and politician, was born.
Italian-Indian singer-songwriter Janalynn Castelino was born.
Hongjoong, a South Korean rapper, singer, producer, and songwriter, was born.
Latvian figure skater Angelīna Kučvaļska was born on December 6, 1998.
No deaths recorded for 1998.
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