U.S. Statistics

President: William J. Clinton
Vice President: Albert Gore, Jr.
Population: 270,298,524
Unemployment:   4.5%
Cost of a first-class stamp:   $0.32



Entertainment

  • Titanic becomes the highest-grossing film of all time, raking in more than $580 million domestically.
  • An estimated 76 million viewers watch the last episode of Seinfeld.
  • Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra dies of a heart attack at age 82.
  • NBC agrees to fork over $13 million an episode for the next three years for broadcast rights to the top-rated series ER. The total dollar figure, $850 million, eclipses any price ever paid for a television show.
  • Titanic captures a record-tying 11 Academy Awards, including those for Best Picture and Best Director (James Cameron).


Sports


Super Bowl
Denver d. Green Bay (31-24)
World Series
New York Yankees d. San Diego (4-0)
NBA Championship
Chicago d. Utah (4-2)
Stanley Cup
Detroit d. Washington (4-0)
Wimbledon
Women: Jana Novotna d. N. Tauziat (6-4 7-6)
Men: Pete Sampras d. G. Ivanisevic (6-7 7-6 6-4 3-6 6-2)
Kentucky Derby Champion
Real Quiet
NCAA Basketball Championship
Kentucky d. Utah (78-69)
World Cup
France d. Brazil (3-0)


U.S. Events

  • President accused in White House sex scandal; denies allegations of affair with White House intern, Monica Lewinsky (Jan. 21 et seq.).

  • President outlines first balanced budget in 30 years (Feb. 3).

  • US Supreme Court rules line-item veto unconstitutional (Feb. 12).

  • Unabomber sentenced to four life terms (May 4).

  • Life sentence meted out to Terry Nichols, convicted in Oklahoma City bombing fatal to 168 (June 4).

  • Starr Report by independent counsel outlines case for impeachment proceedings against President (Sept. 11).

  • Matthew Shepard, gay Wyoming student, fatally beaten in hate crime; two arrested (Oct. 6 et seq.).

  • House impeaches President Clinton along party lines on two charges, perjury and obstruction of justice. (Dec. 19).

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    Cost of Living 1998

    How Much things cost in 1998
    Yearly Inflation Rate USA 1.55%
    Year End Close Dow Jones Industrial Average 9181
    Interest Rates Year End Federal Reserve 8.25%
    Average Cost of new house $129,300.00
    Average Income per year $38,100.00
    Average Monthly Rent $619.00
    Cost of a gallon of Gas $1.15
    Average cost of new car $17,200.00
    US Postage Stamp 32 cents
    1 LB of Bacon $2.53
    1 LB Hamburger meat $1.40
    Loaf of Bread $1.26
    Dozen Eggs     88 cents