What Happened This Year 1998
Historical Events from This Year 1998
Boeing Delta III Rocket Failure
The Boeing Delta III rocket's maiden flight ended catastrophically when it lost stability just 75 seconds after launch, resulting in the loss of the Galaxy X communications satellite. The launch, which took place at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, aimed to demonstrate the rocket's advanced capabilities for delivering payloads into orbit. As the Delta III ascended, it experienced a series of anomalies, leading to a destructive shutdown and failure.
Continue ReadingLoyalist Forces Defend Kinshasa Successfully
Loyalist troops, supported by Angolan and Zimbabwean forces, successfully repulsed an offensive by the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD) and Rwandan military aimed at seizing control of Kinshasa. The clashes marked a significant moment in the Second Congo War, showcasing the complexity of alliances and internal conflicts shaping the Democratic Republic of the Congo's political landscape at the time.
Continue ReadingPakistan's Assembly Votes on Islamic Law Amendment
Pakistan's National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment to declare the Qur'an and Sunnah as the supreme law of the land, but the bill faced defeat in the Senate later. This legislative action was significant in the ongoing dialogue about integrating Islamic principles into the country’s legal framework, reflecting the political landscape and religious sentiments in Pakistan during that period.
Continue ReadingCubana de Aviación Flight 389 Crash in Quito
Cubana de Aviación Flight 389 crashed during a rejected takeoff from Quito's Old Mariscal Sucre International Airport, resulting in the deaths of eighty people. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas DC-10, encountered difficulty shortly after liftoff. A critical malfunction, compounded by adverse weather conditions, led to the poorly executed abort. Emergency services were dispatched, yet there were no survivors among the passengers and crew aboard. This accident marked one of the deadliest aviation incidents in Ecuador's history.
Continue ReadingDRC Forces Recapture Matadi and Inga Dams
Forces from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, alongside Angolan and Zimbabwean allies, launched a decisive offensive to reclaim Matadi and the strategic Inga dams from RCD and Rwandan troops. This operation marked a significant moment in the ongoing conflict in the region, showcasing the military cooperation between these nations in their efforts against rebel forces.
Continue ReadingSwissair Flight 111 crashes near Peggy's Cove
Swissair Flight 111, operated by a McDonnell Douglas MD-11 aircraft, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia. En route from New York City to Geneva, Switzerland, the flight began experiencing a fire in the cockpit due to insulation material igniting from electrical arcing. Despite efforts to divert to Halifax International Airport, the aircraft lost control and crashed into the ocean, resulting in the death of all 229 passengers and crew on board.
Continue ReadingAkayesu Found Guilty of Genocide Charges
Jean-Paul Akayesu, the former mayor of Taba, was found guilty by the UN's International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on nine counts of genocide. Akayesu was convicted for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, one of the most horrific events of the 20th century, during which hundreds of thousands of Tutsi were killed in a systematic campaign led by government authorities. This conviction marked a significant moment in international law, emphasizing accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Continue ReadingFounding of Google by Page and Brin
Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google while PhD students at Stanford University. Their search engine originated as a research project aimed at improving website information retrieval. Page and Brin's innovative approach utilized a unique algorithm that ranked web pages based on the number and quality of links, setting the foundation for what would become one of the most influential technology companies in the world.
Continue ReadingPauknAir Flight 4101 Crash Near Melilla Airport
A PauknAir British Aerospace 146 aircraft, Flight 4101, tragically crashed while attempting to land at Melilla Airport in Spain. The crash resulted in the loss of 38 lives, with the majority being passengers and crew members aboard the flight. The plane encountered difficulties during its approach, leading to its descent into a nearby area. The investigation into the crash revealed several contributing factors, including adverse weather conditions and potential pilot error.
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