1998 Flashback

Momentous, historic, tumultuous. Call it what you like, one thing is certain: 1998 was far from an insipid news year. From a personal scandal that rocked a presidency, to a blockbuster film that broke every movie-making record, this year can be judged as the turning point in the river of history.

Economy	Prices
President: Bill Clinton Vice President: Al Gore Population: 270,298,524 Federal debt: $5750.4 billion Median Household Income: $38,568.00 Unemployment: 4.9%	Cost of a new home: $181,900.00 Cost of a new car: $28,650 Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.32 Cost of a gallon of milk: $3.16 Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $1.06 Cost of a dozen eggs: $1.09
Billboard Top 10	Top Albums
The Boy Is Mine - Brandy & Monica Too Close - Next You're Still the One - Shania Twain Candle in the Wind (Princes Diana) - Elton John Been Around the World - Puff Daddy & The Family How Do I Live - LeAnn Rimes Nice & Slow - Usher No, No, No, - Destiny's Child My Way - Usher My All - Mariah Carey	Backstreet Boys - Backstreet Boys Come On Over - Shania Twain Let's Talk About Love - Celine Dion Savage Garden - Savage Garden Sevens - Garth Brooks Spiceworld - Spice Girls Titanic - Soundtrack Yourself or Someone Like You - Matchbox 20 Big Willie Style - Will Smith City of Angels - Soundtrack
Grammy Awards	Top Movie Money Makers
Album of the Year: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Best New Artist: Lauryn Hill Best Pop Album: Ray of Light, Madonna Best Rock Album: The Globe Sessions, Sheryl Crow Best Rock Song: Uninvited, Alanis Morissette Record of the Year: My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion Song of the Year: My Heart Will Go On	Titanic: $1.8 billion Saving Private Ryan: $216 million Armageddon: $201 million There's Something About Mary: $176 million A Bug's Life: $163 million The Waterboy: $161 million Dr. Dolittle: $144 million
Sports Highlights	Top TV Shows
Superbowl XXXIII: Denver 34/Atlanta 19 Superbowl MVP: John Elway NBA Championship: Chicago Bulls win 4-2 vs. Utah NBA MVP: Michael Jordan World Series: New York Yankees win 4-0 vs. San Diego National League MVP: Sammy Sosa American League MVP: Juan Gonzalez	E.R. Friends Seinfield Frasier The Drew Carey Show Home Improvement The X Files

Events of 1997-1998

Clinton made history this year as the first sitting president to testify before a grand jury. The Lewinsky scandal resulted in an investigation that eventually led to the impeachment of President Clinton in 1998 by the U.S. House of Representatives and his subsequent acquittal on all charges (of perjury and obstruction of justice) in a 21-day Senate trial.

Mark McGwire broke the single-season home run record by hitting 70. Sammy Sosa is second with 66. McGwire’s record was surpassed by Barry Bonds who hit 73 in 2001.

Titanic spent over 3 months at the top of the U.S. box office, was the most expensive film ever made ($200 million) became a titanic money maker (over $1.8 billion internationally), and received a record-breaking 11 out of 14 Oscar nominations.

During the winter of 1997-1998, El Niño caused 24,000 deaths and $33 billion in damage globally in storms, floods, and droughts.

1998 fads include Rugrats, Teletubbies, cargo pants, overalls, anything Titanic related, swing dancing, combat boots, capris, furbies, and the dancing baby.