March 1999 News and Events

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

1999 News Month-By-Month

World

U.S. Heats Up Trade Battle with Europe (March 3): Imposes 100% tariff on luxury products and threatens to ban supersonic Concorde from landing in U.S.
Three Americans Slain in Colombia (March 4): Bodies of two women and a man found over border, in Venezuela. They were studying the living conditions of a rainforest Indian tribe. State Department protests to Colombia and calls for arrest of killers.
Eastern European Nations Join NATO (March 12): Three former Soviet Bloc countries, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, restore important European ties.
Oil Producers Agree to Cut Output (March 12): Coalition of major companies agrees to reduce production further in move to stabilize world prices.
U.S. and North Korea Agree on Inspection (March 16): Pact reached after months of negotiations will allow U.S. access to huge underground site of suspected atomic weapons undertaking. North Korea to receive food aid in return.
European Union Leaders Quit (March 16): All 20 executives resign after independent panel accuses group of favoritism and corruption.
NATO Launches Attack on Serbia (March 24): Cruise missiles and bombs pound Kosovo, Belgrade, and other targets. Barrage intended to punish Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic and Serbian military for yearlong assault against ethnic Albanian separatists.
Pinochet Arrest Upheld in London (March 24): Law Lords rule that former Chilean dictator must remain in England and face possible extradition to Spain on charges including murder, kidnapping, and torture.
U.S. Plane Goes Down in Yugoslavia (March 27): Pilot of F-117 stealth fighter rescued six hours later. Aircraft is first Allied loss in Balkan conflict.
Thousands of Ethnic Albanians Flee Kosovo (March 30): Villages in Northwest empty as residents threatened with death join 60,000 refugees forced to flee another area a day earlier.
Three G.I.s Captured by Serbs (March 31): Reported missing during patrol of Macedonia's border with Yugoslavia. The three had reported they were surrounded and under fire.

Nation

Marine Pilot Acquitted in Deaths (March 4): Military court clears Capt. Richard J. Ashby of murder charges after plane severed ski gondola cables, killing 20 at Italian resort. Italian officials and public react with fury.
U.S. Reports Theft of Nuclear Secrets by China (March 5): Says China used data stolen from American government laboratories to miniaturize its bombs. (March 8): Taiwan-born computer expert Wen Ho Lee discharged from Los Alamos, N.M., laboratory for security breaches after F.B.I. names him prime suspect. Lee denies wrongdoing.
Clinton Pledges Aid for Nicaragua (March 8): Speaking at site of disastrous Oct. 1998 mudslide caused by Hurricane Mitch, President vows help in reclaiming lives and devastated land.
Senate Approves Missile Defense System (March 17): Votes, 97–3, for the prompt building of a network to intercept missiles fired by rogue nations such as North Korea and Iran. (March 18): House, 371–105, votes to support principle of national missile defense system.
Congress Votes for Republican Budget (March 25): House and Senate approve big tax cut and head toward showdown with White House over spending priorities.
Marine Navigator Pleads Guilty (March 29): Capt. Joseph Schweitzer, 31, admits destroying videotape that recorded part of flight of jet that cut ski gondola cable in Italy, killing 20 people.

Business/Science/Society

Sport Utility Vehicles Criticized (March 1): Federal study finds them unusually harmful to cars they collide with, causing about 2,000 deaths in 1996.
Deal to Save Redwoods Approved (March 2): U.S., California, and Pacific Lumber Company agree on $480 million program to make public preserve of world's largest privately owned grove of ancient trees.
Major Fault Under Los Angeles Detected (March 4): Scientists report finding under downtown area “blind thrust” that could cause devastating earthquake.
Key N.C.A.A. Rule Discarded (March 8): U.S. judge finds test score requirement set by National Collegiate Athletic Association to put black student–athletes at unfair disadvantage.
Joe DiMaggio Dies at 84 (March 8): Idolized center fielder symbolized success of New York Yankees baseball team. Famed for 56-game hitting streak in 1941.
RJR Nabisco Splits Businesses (March 9): Announces division of food and tobacco ventures, amid financial problems stemming from tobacco lawsuits.
Thirteen Killed in Truck-Train Collision (March 16): Crash happens at crossing near Chicago.
Medical Benefits Seen in Marijuana (March 17): Government study confirms active ingredients appear to help treat pain and other symptoms related to AIDS.
Verdict Favors Tobacco Companies (March 18): Federal jury in Ohio rules that they do not have to repay dozens of union health and benefit plans for costs of treating illnesses related to smoking.
First Nonstop Balloon Trip around World (March 20): Bertrand Piccard (Switzerland) and Brian Jones (U.K.) land Breitling Orbiter 3 after passing finish line over Mauritania, to end 20-day voyage.
M.I.T. Admits Gender Discrimination (March 22): Prestigious science institution issues report acknowledging unintentional bias against women professors.
Major Cable TV Companies to Merge (March 22): Comcast Corporation announces it will acquire Mediaone in a $53 billion deal to create nation's third-largest cable television company. Internet access a factor.
Rudder Flaw Found in Boeing 737s (March 23): U.S. report says airliner is subject to rare malfunctions that have caused two crashes and several close calls.
39 Die in Alps Tunnel Fire (March 24): French and Italian officials report fire in Mont Blanc tunnel started in heavy truck and quickly spread to some 30 other vehicles.
Dr. Kevorkian Convicted of Second-Degree Murder (March 26): Michigan jury finds physician guilty of giving fatal injection to man with terminal illness. Action had been broadcast on TV's 60 Minutes.
Bodies of Yosemite Tourists Identified (March 27): Carole Sund, daughter Julie Sund, and friend Silvina Pelosso had been missing since Feb. 15. Remains found in charred rental car near national park.
Computer Virus Snarls Internet (March 27): Worldwide affliction, nicknamed “Melissa,” forces several large corporations to shut down email servers.
Record Award in Smoking Lawsuit (March 30): Ore. jury rules Philip Morris must pay $81 million to family of man who smoked Marlboro cigarettes for forty years before dying of lung cancer.