1999: The Year All Hell Broke Loose (REDUX)

How should I write the events for this timeline?


  • Total voters
    14
Introduction
Over two years ago, I started a timeline on this site called "1999: The Year All Hell Broke Loose". I was primarily inspired for it after reading several other "chaotic year" TLs such as @Mad Bad Rabbit's A Very Bad Year (1973) and @Osakadave's Some Very Bad Years (1989 and beyond), as well as wanting to redo an old collab TL of my own that concerned Al Gore becoming president in 1999. It was the first timeline I created that wasn't collaborative, and it quickly grew popular, to the point that today it still remains one of my most popular TLs. However, I eventually abandoned it due to poor research and planning ahead on my part, to the point I feel like I wrote myself into a corner too early.

It's been over a year since I abandoned the original timeline and now, after having done some more extensive research and planning, I've decided to try and redo it. I don't know how regular updates will be, given real life and other projects on the site, but I will try to post as much as I am able to.

I would like to give credit and thanks to everyone who helped serve as major inspirations for the concept of this TL, including:

- @Mad Bad Rabbit and @Osakadave for their respective timelines mentioned above,
- @SirCecil, for both their timeline Terror in Littleton, and for offering me help and advice on certain elements of this timeline.

That being said, let's begin.
 
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Over two years ago, I started a timeline on this site called "1999: The Year All Hell Broke Loose". I was primarily inspired for it after reading several other "chaotic year" TLs such as @Mad Bad Rabbit's A Very Bad Year (1973) and @Osakadave's Some Very Bad Years (1989 and beyond), as well as wanting to redo an old collab TL of my own that concerned Al Gore becoming president in 1999. It was the first timeline I created that wasn't collaborative, and it quickly grew popular, to the point that today it still remains one of my most popular TLs. However, I eventually abandoned it due to poor research and planning ahead on my part, to the point I feel like I wrote myself into a corner too early.

It's been over a year since I abandoned the original timeline and now, after having done some more extensive research and planning, I've decided to try and redo it. I don't know how regular updates will be, given real life and other projects on the site, but I will try to post as much as I am able to.

I would like to give credit and thanks to everyone who helped serve as major inspirations for the concept of this TL, including:

- @Mad Bad Rabbit and @Osakadave for their respective timelines mentioned above,
- @SirCecil, for both their timeline Terror in Littleton, and for offering me help/advice on certain elements of the timeline.

That being said, let's begin.
Love to see how you'll remake this. Watched
 
Semi-related to the TL on hand, I've been wondering for a while if I should write the events in this version in a newspaper article format, like that seen in several other timelinessuch as @Osakadave's Some Very Bad Years, or stick to the old format of the original version of this timeline (listing the dates with events that're happening on that date). What does everyone think?
 
Semi-related to the TL on hand, I've been wondering for a while if I should write the events in this version in a newspaper article format, like that seen in several other timelinessuch as @Osakadave's Some Very Bad Years, or stick to the old format of the original version of this timeline (listing the dates with events that're happening on that date). What does everyone think?
Mix of newspaper and "headline format", sorta like 2020:SF but with the vignettes replaced by newspaper articles (if you know what I mean).
 
So after recently reviewing the poll results, I've decided to write the timeline in a mostly newspaper article format, just like in the "Terror in Littleton" and "Some Very Bad Years" TLs. I'm currently working on writing the first official post for the TL now.
 
January 1-9, 1999 New
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I would like to say once more that the format for this timeline, which now features listing the sources at the end of the post, was primarily inspired by the format used in @SirCecil's "Terror in Littleton" TL, who has helped me out greatly with proofreading this TL so far (including giving me the advice to add the sources to the bottom of the post), and has given me full permission to use the similar format. Again, ALL CREDIT GOES TO @SirCecil for granting me permission for using the similar format, and for the rest of their help on this timeline so far.

European Union introduces new currency, the Euro, across Europe
January 1, 1999

The European Union officially launched their new form of currency, the Euro, at midnight on January 1st. The Euro, which first came to fruition several years ago, is set to replace local currencies in 11 countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, as the main currency throughout the European Union.

Over thirty killed, hundreds more injured after avalanche hits school in Quebec
January 2, 1999

At least 32 people were killed and nearly two hundred more were injured Friday morning at a school in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec, after an avalanche struck the school’s gymnasium during New Year's celebrations were taking place inside [1], completely levelling the building. Search and rescue missions are currently still ongoing at the school, as rescue operators are struggling to try and find other people who might potentially be trapped under the debris.

Numerous power outages, blackouts reported across midwestern U.S. in ongoing snowstorm
January 3, 1999

Cities across the midwestern U.S. continue to report rolling blackouts and power failures in the wake of an ongoing blizzard sweeping through the country. Multiple feet of snow have been reported in numerous areas across the Midwest, including the cities of Milwaukee and Chicago. It is estimated that over a million people in the midwest are currently experiencing no electricity or running water, and local and state officials in the affected states are currently organizing statewide aid efforts to help out people in need of assistance.

6 dead, 8 injured in Jerusalem shootout between police and U.S. cultists
January 3, 1999

At least 6 people were killed, and eight others, including three children, were injured during a police shootout in the streets of Jerusalem between local police and a group of U.S. citizens. According to local police reports, several officers were attempting to arrest the U.S. citizens, who have since been revealed as members of a Denver-based cult called Concerned Christians, after they were suspected to be plotting potential terrorist acts in Jerusalem [2]. Reports say that while the officers were trying to handcuff the adults, they suddenly brandished concealed weapons and opened fire on the officers, who opened fire back in retaliation. Five of the cult members were shot and killed at the scene, along with one police officer, while eight others were also injured by gunfire. The rest of the cult members were arrested at the scene after being subdued by backup officers and currently remain in police custody in Jerusalem.

Elizabeth Dole announces surprise resignation from Red Cross
January 4, 1999

Elizabeth Dole, wife of former U.S. senator and 1996 Republican nominee Bob Dole, announced her resignation today as president of American Red Cross. Her sudden resignation has triggered massive speculation that Dole may launch a potential presidential run for the Republican nomination in the upcoming 2000 presidential election.

Over 100 confirmed dead following snowstorm in midwestern U.S.
January 5, 1999

Recent reports revealed that there have been at least 107 confirmed deaths in the U.S. so far that have been contributed to the recent snowstorm that blew over the midwestern region of the country over the past weekend.

The new report comes as Illinois governor Jim Edgar has recently called the National Guard to assist with ongoing aid efforts in the Greater Chicago region, which currently remains one of the worst areas to be impacted by the U.S. blizzard so far. Over a hundred thousand people in the city are suspected to be remaining without power.

16 killed in Islamabad Mosque attack
January 5, 1999

16 people were killed and over 2 dozen others were injured after several gunmen reportedly entered a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan and opened fire during a service [3]. The motive for the attack currently remains unknown.

U.S. Air Force shoots down 4 jets over southern Iraq
January 6, 1999

The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed early Wednesday morning that the U.S. Air Force has shot down four jets over the southern region of Iraq. According to official reports, the four jets, which have been identified as Iraqi MiG-25s, were shot down by U.S. missiles after reportedly being spotted flying over a no-fly zone in the southern region of the country [4]. Two of the four pilots have been confirmed dead in the incident, with a third having ejected from the aircraft and the fourth pilot currently remaining missing following the incident.

Impeachment trial for President Clinton begins in D.C.
January 7, 1999

The impeachment trial for President Bill Clinton regarding his affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky officially began today in Washington D.C. Protest groups were spotted outside the U.S. Capitol building where the trial took place, with crowds featuring those supporting and opposing the impeachment against President Clinton being seen. The groups were later reported to be forcibly escorted away from the building by security.

Several people, including prominent activist, killed after Kenyan protests turn violent
January 9, 1999

At least 10 people, including prominent activist Wangari Maathai, were killed while nearly two dozen more were reported injured, after a major protest in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday escalated into a deadly shootout. The protest, which was aimed at helping protect the Karura Forest, quickly turned deadly after several guards opened fire on the crowd of peaceful protestors, killing Maathai along with nine others, including two journalists and an environmentalist from Germany. The shooting has been captured on video by other journalists who were attending the protest at the time, and has sparked international outcry from environmentalist groups and supporters, who have called the event “inhumane”.

ALL CREDIT GOES TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SOURCES
[1] Source (IRL only 9 people were killed in the avalanche)
[2] Source
[3] Source
[4] Source
 
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