World Events in 1998
Good Friday Agreement
On 10 April, a historic peace agreement was reached in Northern Ireland after years of painstaking negotiations. The agreement established a power-sharing government and was endorsed by referendums in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
France Wins the World Cup
Host nation France defeated Brazil 3-0 in the final at the Stade de France, with Zinedine Zidane scoring twice. A million people celebrated on the Champs-Elysees in what was seen as a unifying moment for multicultural France.
Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal
President Clinton initially denied having an affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky before eventually admitting to an 'inappropriate relationship.' The scandal led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives in December.
US Embassy Bombings in East Africa
On 7 August, car bombs exploded outside US embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing 224 people. Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden were identified as the masterminds behind the attacks.
Omagh Bombing
On 15 August, a Real IRA car bomb exploded in Omagh, County Tyrone, killing 29 people and injuring over 200. It was the single deadliest attack in the history of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Music in 1998
"Believe"
Cher
Cher's comeback single pioneered the use of Auto-Tune as a vocal effect and became the best-selling single of 1998 in the UK, spending seven weeks at number one.
"Too Close"
Next
The R&B hit spent 10 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 but the best-selling single of the year was Elton John's Candle in the Wind carrying over from 1997.
#1 Film of 1998
Armageddon
Box Office: $553 million worldwide
Michael Bay's asteroid disaster film starring Bruce Willis edged out rival asteroid film Deep Impact and Saving Private Ryan at the worldwide box office, though Steven Spielberg's war epic received far greater critical acclaim.
Born in 1998
Saquon Barkley
NFL running back, Pro Bowl player for the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles
Shawn Mendes
Canadian singer-songwriter known for hits like Stitches and Senorita
Trae Young
NBA point guard known for his deep three-point shooting with the Atlanta Hawks
Kiernan Shipka
Actress known for Mad Men and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
Lost in 1998
Frank Sinatra
Ol' Blue Eyes, legendary singer and actor, the voice of My Way and New York, New York
Age 82
Roy Rogers
King of the Cowboys, beloved American actor and singer
Age 86
Pol Pot
Leader of the Khmer Rouge whose regime killed an estimated 1.5-2 million Cambodians
Age 73
Sonny Bono
Singer (Sonny & Cher), congressman, killed in a skiing accident
Age 62
Technology in 1998
Google was founded and quickly became the search engine of choice. Apple launched the colourful iMac G3, signalling the company's comeback. MP3 players were emerging, and Napster was just around the corner. The first camera phones appeared in Japan.
- ● Google founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin
- ● Apple iMac G3 launched in Bondi Blue
- ● Windows 98 released
- ● The first MP3 player (Diamond Rio PMP300) went on sale
Cost of Living in 1998
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £73,000 | $128,000 |
| Average salary | £18,500 | $37,500 |
| Pint of milk | 33p | $0.65 |
| Loaf of bread | 64p | $0.82 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.18 | $1.12 |
| Pint of beer | £1.60 | $2.80 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £2.65 | $1.06 |
| Cinema ticket | £3.60 | $4.69 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1998
The World Cup in France produced one of the great tournaments, with host nation France lifting the trophy. Britpop was fading but the Spice Girls were still going strong. Will Smith was everywhere -- in films, on the radio, and on TV. Sex and the City premiered and reshaped television.
In the News in 1998
The Monica Lewinsky scandal engulfed the Clinton presidency. The Good Friday Agreement brought hope of lasting peace to Northern Ireland. Google was founded in a California garage by two Stanford students.