The world in
What happened in 1999?
21 events across 9 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
Kosovo WarAn 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 ↗Image: Clockwise from upper left: Tomislav Jagušt, User:Snake bgd , User:Zeke , Senior Airman Mitch Fuqua (U.S. Air Force) / CC BY-SA 2.5 ↗
- 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 ↗
- Second Chechen War
The Second Chechen War was an armed conflict between the Russian Federation and Chechen separatists, lasting from August 1999 to April 2009. Following its defeat in the first war, Russia regained control over Chechnya. The conflict involved major combat and prolonged counterinsurgency operations.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Establishment of Uzh National Nature ParkOn 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.
South Asia
Kargil War beginsIn 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.
1999 bloodless coup in PakistanOn 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.
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Completion of the Putra MosqueThe 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.
Establishment of Kerinci Seblat National ParkThis 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 ↗Image: Steve Cornish (cornstaruk) from Marlow, UK / CC BY 2.0 ↗
Sub-Saharan Africa
- Outbreak of the Second Congo War
On 2 August 1998, the Second Congo War began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo when President Laurent-Désiré Kabila turned against his former allies, Rwanda and Uganda. The conflict expanded as Kabila rallied a coalition of other countries to his defense, eventually drawing in nine African nations and approximately 25 armed groups, making it one of Africa's largest wars.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Establishment of the Kigali Genocide MemorialIn 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.
Establishment of Andringitra National ParkIn 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.
Establishment of Lobéké National ParkIn 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.
West Asia
South Lebanon conflict eruptsThe 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.
1999 İzmit earthquakeAt 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.
Oceania
Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage SiteIn 1999, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park in the Philippines was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, becoming the country's second natural heritage site. Located on Palawan Island, the protected area features a spectacular karst landscape with an underground river that emerges directly into the sea, its lower portion subject to tidal influences. The site encompasses a full 'mountain-to-sea' ecosystem and represents one of the most important forests in Asia, serving as a significant habitat for biodiversity conservation.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Mike Gonzalez / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Foundation of Auburn Gallipoli MosqueAn 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.
Central & South America
- Launch of the Bolivarian Revolution
In 1999, after taking office as President of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez launched a political process known as the Bolivarian Revolution. The social movement drew on the ideas of 19th-century independence leader Simón Bolívar, aiming to implement democratic socialism and a state-led economy. Chávez founded the Fifth Republic Movement as its main political vehicle, seeking to realize Bolivarianism in Venezuela.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Establishment of Cavernas do Peruaçu National ParkOn 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.
SourcesUNESCO World Heritage listing ↗Wikipedia ↗Image: Edgar Corrêa Kanaykõ / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
East Asia
1999 Jiji earthquakeAt 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.
North Africa
Eritrean–Ethiopian War beginsOn 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 ↗Image: Central Intelligence Agency / Public domain ↗
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 ↗
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
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- 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