7 Current Events From the Late 1990s Mentioned in Mr. Right is a Myth

Cassandra, the main character in The Rock Star’s Wife series, attends college at the University of Illinois from 1997 to 2001.  While she graduates before the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, she nevertheless witnesses many historic events.  Here are seven current events from the late 1990s mentioned in Mr. Right is a Myth.

Fighting Illini’s Losing Season

 

So, needless to say, I haven’t attended a single U of I football game.  All that changes today.  They went 0-11 last season anyway, so it isn’t as if I missed anything.  – Chapter 10

The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a member of the Big Ten Conference.  The losing 1997 football team was Head Coach Ron Turner’s first year at the university.

The game Cassandra attended with Lars on Sept. 12, 1998, against Middle Tennessee, was the Illini’s first win since Oct. 5, 1996.  A total of 35,475 people attended, and the game ended with a score of 48–20.

The Fighting Illini play at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL.

President Clinton’s Impeachment

 

“Are you following the impeachment?” I say, trying to read the back cover and keep my eye on him at the same time.  – Chapter 13

The impeachment of President Bill Clinton is complicated enough to be the topic of its own blog.  Here are the highlights:

• 1995-1997: White House intern Monica Lewinsky has an affair with Clinton.
• 1997: Lawyers for Paula Jones, who was suing Clinton for sexual harassment, subpoenae Lewinsky.
• 1998: Lewinsky files an affidavit denying a sexual relationship.  Lewinsky’s coworker Linda Tripp contacts Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr about tapes she made of her conversations with Lewinsky.  The story breaks to the public.
• August 1998: Lewinsky and Clinton testify before the grand jury.
• September 1998: Starr submits his report and supporting documents to the U.S. House of Representatives.
• October 1998: The House impeachment inquiry begins.
• December 19, 1998: The House votes to impeach Clinton for lying under oath to a federal grand jury and obstructing justice.
• February 12, 1999: The Senate fails to convict.

Bears 1998-1999 Season

 

“I’ll just be glad when the Super Bowl is over.  Bears were in last place this season, so no clue why he cares.  How can you root for a team you have no interest in?”  ‒ Chapter 14

The Chicago Bears finished the 1998-99 season with a 4–12 record.  After the season, Head Coach Dave Wannstedt was fired.

Measles Outbreaks

 

“You’re going to get measles or something,” I say, “if you keep touching your face with dirty hands.”

In the early 1990s, there was a series of measles outbreaks as Gen Xers’ immunity from the vaccines they received entering first grade faded.  I remember schools routinely being closed for outbreaks, including my high school in early 1993.

There were more than 55,000 cases and more than 100 deaths nationwide caused by measles from 1989 through 1991.

Congress created the Vaccines for Children program in 1993 to help families that couldn’t afford vaccines, and federal funding increased to $261 million in 1995.

Today, all states require a measles booster shot.  This is a direct consequence of the measles outbreaks of the early 1990s.

Columbine

 

The Clinton impeachment and Columbine have been out of the news for months.  – Chapter 21

On April 20, 1999, students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, and shot to death 13 people and wounded more than 20 others.  They ended the shooting spree by committing suicide.  At the time, it was the worst high school shooting in U.S. history.

In the months following the shootings, many schools nationwide enacted “zero-tolerance”  policies for threats of violence and disruptive behavior.

Y2K

 

“I figure,” he says, “if Y2K reverts us back to the stone age, I may never see you again.  Need to take advantage while there’s time.” – Chapter 22

The Y2K bug was the belief that a computer programming shortcut would cause computers to stop working properly when the year changed from 1999 to 2000.  The shortcut only allowed two digits for the year, and the fear was that computers would think year 2000 was the year 1900 and would no longer function correctly.  The fear amounted to nothing.

Y2K stands for Year 2000.

New Year’s Eve 1999

 

She turns on ABC 2000 Today.  Excited spectators cheer in Times Square, ridiculous hats bobbing on their heads.  – Chapter 23

ABC 2000 Today was a program that aired for 23 hours and 10 minutes as 1999 became 2000.  It showed footage from around the world and was hosted by Peter Jennings.

That year, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve did not air, but Dick Clark was part of the celebration.

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Which current events from the late 1990s do you remember?  Leave a comment below.  Comments close after 90 days. For more information on the licenses mentioned on this page, visit https://creativecommons.org/about/cclicenses/.

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Here’s the 4-1-1

This blog is a companion piece to The Rock Star’s Wife, a series about sex, family, and rock & roll.  The series has elements of chick lit, romance and erotica and is best compared to The Vagina Monologues for its frank talk of sex and its consequences.  The series follows Cassandra from her teenage years into her 40s as she navigates relationships (both romantic and platonic) — all with music playing a prominent roll.

Book two, Mr. Right is a Myth, debuts August 2023:  Co-ed Cassandra Economos has a plan.  Earn her degree then move into a Chicago penthouse.  If she can meet a guy who accepts her, high sex drive and all, that’s an added bonus.  But how many frogs must she kiss before she meets a prince?

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