"Old times there are not forgotten"
Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives was internally disciplined for ethical misconduct. Madeline Albright became the first Secretary of State upon confirmation by the United States Senate. The Morgan Stanley and Dean Whitter investment banks merged. Astronauts from the Space Shuttle Discovery performed tune-up and repair work on the Hubble Telescope. The Dow-Jones Industrial Average of common stocks closed at $7,022.44 - first close above $7,000.00. Tara Lipinski of New Jersey became the women's world figure skating champion at age 14. The Hale-Bopp Comet made its closest approach to Earth. A Pegasus rocket carried the remains of 24 people into orbit around the Earth for the purpose of making the first outer space burial. The United Kingdom granted sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China. The United Kingdom's Labour Party regained majority in Parliament ending 18 years of Conservative Party rule and Tony Blair was appointed Prime Minister. The United States Department of the Treasury unveiled a new $50 bill, said to be more difficult to counterfeit. The first of the Harry Potter series of children's books by J.K. Rowling was published in the United Kingdom. NASA's Pathfinder space probe landed on the surface of Mars. The Dow Jones Average of common stocks closed at $8,038.88 - first close above $8,000.00. The F.W. Woolworth Company closed after 117 years in business. Google was registered as a domain name. Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft companies merged. Diana, Princess of Wales died resulting from an automobile crash in a Paris, France tunnel. Mother Teresa of Calcutta died. Stock markets around the world crashed due to a global crisis scare but recovered within a few days. Representatives of 121 nations signed a treaty in Ottawa, Canada prohibiting the manufacture and deployment of anti-personnel land mines the United States excepted. One billion shares of stock were traded on the New York Stock Exchange an one day record.
New book titles: The Partner, Cold Mountain, The Ghost, The Ranch, Special Delivery, Unnatural Exposure, The Best Laid Plans, Pretend You Don't See Her, Cat & Mouse, Hornet's Nest and The Royals.
At the movies: Titanic, Men in Black, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Liar Liar, Air Force One, As Good as It Gets, Good Will Hunting, My Best Friend's Wedding, Tomorrow Never Dies and Face/Off.
On stage: The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Titantic, Chicago, Barrymore, A Doll's House, The Life and An American Daughter.
Emmy Awards: Dennis Franz for NYPD Blue, Gillian Anderson for X-Files, Hector Elizondo for Chicago Hope, Kim Delaney for NYPD Blue and Law and Order for best drama series.
January 1
West Virginia University lost to the University of North Carolina by the score of 20-13 in the Gator Bowl, played in Jacksonville, Florida.
February 17
Classmate Leonard Ray McNulty, age 56, died in Beckley following a long illness. Ray had served in the United States Army and as a policeman in Beckley and Clearwater, Florida. He was survived by his wife, three daughters, two step-sons and three step-daughters.
March 22
Woodrow Wilson High School won the Class AAA state basketball championship by defeating Wheeling Park High School by the score of 83-76 in Charleston. It was the 13th state basketball championship for Woodrow Wilson.
September 14
Classmate Carol Ann Fearn-Gardner died at her home in Fredericksburg, Virginia following a long illness. Carol's husband and two daughters survived her.
September 21
Classmate John Luther Maddy died in Maryland following a long cancer illness. John served 22 years in the United States Air Force retiring as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1980. Johnny earned an associated degree, a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in allied health fields and was employed in Civil Service by the United States Department of Defense. He was survived by his wife and five children.
December 26
Marshall University lost to the University of Mississippi by the score of 34-31 in the Motor City Bowl played in the Pontiac Silver Dome (Michigan).
December 29
West Virginia University lost to Georgia Tech by the score of 35-30 in the Carquest Bowl, played in Orlando, Florida.