The world in
What happened in 1999?
18 events across 9 world regions, each with its sources.
South Asia
- Kargil War begins
In May 1999, armed conflict broke out between India and Pakistan in the Kargil district of Indian-administered Kashmir, with India launching Operation Vijay to expel infiltrating Pakistani forces.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- 1999 bloodless coup in Pakistan
On 12 October 1999, Pakistan's army chief Pervez Musharraf led a bloodless coup, overthrowing Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's elected government, suspending the constitution, and establishing military rule.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Completion of the Putra Mosque
The Putra Mosque is the principal mosque of Putrajaya, Malaysia, located beside Putrajaya Lake, adjacent to the Prime Minister's Office and Putra Square. Its construction began in 1997 and was completed two years later.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Kerinci Seblat National Park
This event marks the official establishment of the largest national park on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Spanning four provinces, it protects a vast expanse of tropical rainforest. Its creation was a key step in a long process of nature conservation in the region, which later led to its designation as an ASEAN Heritage Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Europe
- Kosovo War
An armed conflict in Kosovo mainly from 1998 to 1999, it pitted forces of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which controlled Kosovo, against the Kosovo Liberation Army. In March 1999, NATO began air strikes, which ultimately resulted in Yugoslav forces withdrawing from Kosovo.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Signing of the Kumanovo Agreement
On 9 June 1999, the Military Technical Agreement, also known as the Kumanovo Agreement, was signed in Kumanovo, North Macedonia. Concluded between the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the governments of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Republic of Serbia, it ended the Kosovo War and established that KFOR would replace Yugoslav military forces in Kosovo.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Uzh National Nature Park
On 5 August 1999, Uzh National Nature Park was established in Uzhhorod Raion, Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine, covering about 39,159 hectares to protect the pristine Carpathian beech forests. Located at the borders with Poland and Slovakia, the park was later included in a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007 and became part of the East Carpathian Biosphere Reserve.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Establishment of the Kigali Genocide Memorial
In 1999, the Kigali Genocide Memorial was established in Rwanda's capital, Kigali, to commemorate the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. It interred the remains of over 250,000 victims and includes a visitor centre for learning about the tragedy.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Andringitra National Park
In 1999, an area in south-central Madagascar, originally a strict nature reserve, was formally designated as a national park covering about 31,160 km². The park is situated in the Haute Matsiatra region, roughly 47 km south of Ambalavao. It is managed by the Madagascar National Parks Association.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- Establishment of Lobéké National Park
In October 1999, Cameroon established Lobéké National Park in the southeastern Congo Basin. Covering approximately 2,178 km², the park lies east of the Sangha River and protects vast tropical rainforest. It forms part of the transboundary conservation initiative Sangha Trinational.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
West Asia
- South Lebanon conflict erupts
The South Lebanon conflict erupted in 1985, with Israel and its allied South Lebanon Army fighting Hezbollah-led forces in Israeli-occupied southern Lebanon. Seen as an extension of the Lebanese Civil War, the conflict persisted until Israel's withdrawal in 2000.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
- 1999 İzmit earthquake
At about 03:01 local time on 17 August 1999, a moment magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck near İzmit in Turkey’s Kocaeli Province, shaking for roughly 37 seconds. The strong motion caused severe damage in İzmit and nearby towns.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Oceania
- Inscription of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park as a World Heritage Site
In 1999, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the Philippines was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, becoming the country's second natural heritage site. Located on Palawan Island, the park is recognized for its unique karst landscape and underground river system.
- Foundation of Auburn Gallipoli Mosque
An Ottoman-style mosque in Auburn, a suburb of Sydney, Australia, was built. It hosts over 500 worshippers daily and around 2,000 for the special Friday prayer, becoming a significant Islamic religious site in the area.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
East Asia
- 1999 Jiji earthquake
At 01:47 local time on 21 September 1999, a powerful earthquake struck with its epicenter in Jiji (Chi-Chi), Nantou County, Taiwan, causing 2,415 deaths, 11,305 injuries, and about NT$300 billion in damage.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
North Africa
- Eritrean–Ethiopian War begins
On May 6, 1998, Ethiopia and Eritrea began a major armed conflict over a border dispute, lasting until June 18, 2000. Despite being among the world's poorest nations, they spent hundreds of millions of euros and suffered tens of thousands of casualties, resulting in only minor border changes in a barren, almost uninhabited area.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
North America
- Adoption of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW
In 1999, the United Nations adopted the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, establishing complaint and inquiry mechanisms. It allows individuals to submit complaints to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and empowers the Committee to investigate grave or systematic violations. The Protocol strengthens the international framework for protecting women's rights.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Central & South America
- Establishment of Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park
On September 21, 1999, Brazil established the Cavernas do Peruaçu National Park in the state of Minas Gerais to protect its large limestone caves and archaeological sites.
Around 1999
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Beginning of the Digital Revolution
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins
- Construction of the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth'
- Establishment of the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains
- Designation of the Maotianshan Shales member and type section