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December 17, 1998

December 17, 1998, was a Thursday. It was 26 years and 7 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Sagittarius.

Song charts

Top songs

These songs were on top of the music charts in the United States and the United Kingdom on December 17, 1998:

  • United States: "I'm Your Angel" by R. Kelly & Celine Dion
  • United Kingdom: "To You I Belong" by B*Witched

The Billboard Hot 100 on December 17, 1998

These songs were dominating the music charts:

  • I'm Your Angel - R. Kelly & Celine Dion
  • Nobody's Supposed To Be Here - Deborah Cox
  • Lately - Divine
  • Doo Wop (That Thing) - Lauryn Hill
  • From This Moment On - Shania Twain
Play the top singles from 1998
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1998. Take a trip back to the days of Cher, Celine Dion, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Robbie Williams and Faithless.
Star Trek: Insurrection

Top movie

The movie "Star Trek: Insurrection" was at the top of the box office on this day.

Facts

This date occurred 9,504 days ago. Approximately 317 months have passed. It was the 351st day of 1998, in week 51. The decade was the nineties. The end of 1998 was just 14 days away. People who were born on December 17, 1998, are now 26 years old and belong to the Gen-Z generation. We have gone through approximately 106 seasons of weather since this date.

Take me back to December 17, 1998

Let's take a walk down memory lane.

The date is December 17, 1998, and it's a Thursday. Babies who are born today will have the star sign Sagittarius. The Christmas season of 1998 is in full swing. People are putting up their decorations and festive songs are playing on the radio.

In America, the song "I'm Your Angel" by R. Kelly & Celine Dion is at the top of the singles charts, while "To You I Belong" by B*Witched is the number-one song in the UK. Bill Clinton is the President of the United States, and the movie Star Trek: Insurrection is at the top of the box office. Tony Blair is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Home Improvement", "Star Trek: Voyager", "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction", and "That '70s Show". A new form of communication called "text messaging" is starting to become more widespread. However, it can only be done if both the sender and the receiver are on the same cell network. The CD is quickly becoming the dominant format for music, and people are buying portable players such as the "Discman". Consequently, sales of cassette tapes are continuing to decline.

In fashion, bright and metallic colors are all the rage—a big change from the darker "grunge" colors of the early 1990s. Women are wearing maxi skirts, bell bottoms, knee boots, crop tops, tube tops, slip dresses, maxi coats, and platform shoes. Meanwhile, a lot of men have ditched their grunge and skater clothes in favor of a "dress casual" look. They are also beginning to cut their hair shorter. It's 1998, so radio stations are being dominated by the likes of Brandy, Monica, Aerosmith, R. Kelly, K-Ci & JoJo, Céline Dion, All Saints, Steps and Will Smith. A musical subgenre called "Nu metal" is beginning to take off, aided by the success of bands such as Korn.

US President Bill Clinton is being impeached for lying under oath and obstruction of justice. The Furby craze has started, with over 1.8 million units being sold throughout the Christmas season. If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Michelle Thomas, Big L, Stanley Kubrick, and Joe DiMaggio would all still be alive.

People are playing video games such as "Super Mario 64", "Resident Evil 2", "Metal Gear Solid", and "Pokémon Red and Blue". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Little Bear", "Bear in the Big Blue House", "The Wild Thornberrys", and "Bob the Builder". Children are playing with toys such as Jenga, Yo-yo, Littlest Pet Shop, and Gogo's Crazy Bones.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on December 17, 1998, will have the star sign Sagittarius.
  • Zodiac Element: Fire.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1998 was the year of the Tiger (Yang Fire).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 2.
  • Native American Zodiac: December 17, 1998 falls under the Owl.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of December will have the birthstones Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise.
  • Birth flower (December): The Narcissus and the Holly.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on December 17, 1998.

  • Christmas 1998.

    Christmas 1998

    The Christmas period of 1998 was in full swing by this stage. The decorations were up, festive music was playing on the radio, people were feeling stressed, retail stores were filled with shoppers, and everyone was making plans for the big day.
  • That Don't Impress Me Much.

    That Don't Impress Me Much

    In December 1998, Canadian singer Shania Twain released her hit single "That Don't Impress Me Much."
  • The Rugrats Movie.

    The Rugrats Movie

    The Rugrats hit the big screen at the end of November 1998.
  • The Game Boy Color.

    The Game Boy Color

    The Game Boy Color was the go-to handheld device for gamers. Notable games included Wario Land 3, Donkey Kong Country, and the various Pokémon releases.
  • Furby Craze.

    Furby Craze

    The Furby craze began when Tiger Electronics released its talking hamster-like robot. During the holiday season of 1998, 1.8 million units were sold, as the toy was considered a must-have for Christmas.
  • Metal Gear Solid.

    Metal Gear Solid

    Hideo Kojima's stealth game Metal Gear Solid was released on the PS1 in September 1998. The game received critical acclaim, with many reviewers calling it the best game ever made.
  • The Impeachment of Bill Clinton.

    The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

    The impeachment of U.S. President Bill Clinton was taking place. Clinton was accused of lying under oath and obstruction of justice. The impeachment proceedings were initiated on October 8th, 1998. They formally began on December 19th, 1998. On February 12th, 1999, Clinton was acquitted on both counts.
  • Floppy disks are being phased out.

    Floppy disks are being phased out

    The floppy disk was being phased out by this point, as the emergence of the CD-RW and faster Internet speeds had made it somewhat redundant.
  • Nu metal.

    Nu metal

    A musical subgenre called "Nu Metal" was beginning to rise in popularity by the end of 1998. Korn were one of the first bands to pioneer the new sound. In August of 1998, the band released their album "Follow the Leader", which peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
  • Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On"

    Celine Dion - "My Heart Will Go On"

    "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion went on to win a Grammy for 1998's Record of the Year.
  • Pagers are dying out.

    Pagers are dying out

    Pagers started to die out at the end of the 1990s. This was due to the growing availability of cellphones. Pagers were small devices that allowed the owner to receive messages. More often than not, the message in question was a memo or a phone number that they were supposed to call back.
  • 1998 in music.

    1998 in music

    Popular music artists in 1998 included Usher, Céline Dion, K-Ci & JoJo, Next, Shania Twain, Backstreet Boys, Mariah Carey, Brandy, Monica, Sarah McLachlan, Jennifer Paige, Aerosmith, 98 Degrees, Deborah Cox, Britney Spears and All Saints.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1998?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1998?

    In 1998, the best NBA players were Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton, Tim Duncan, Karl Malone, Grant Hill, Vin Baker, David Robinson, Tim Hardaway, Rod Strickland, Scottie Pippen, Glen Rice, Reggie Miller, Mitch Richmond and Dikembe Mutombo.
  • Bill Clinton & Ken Starr.

    Bill Clinton & Ken Starr

    US President Bill Clinton and Ken Starr, the lawyer who published the Starr Report, were both named Time Person of the Year in 1998.
  • 1998 in movies.

    1998 in movies

    Movies released in 1998 included Armageddon, Saving Private Ryan, Godzilla, There's Something About Mary, A Bug's Life, Deep Impact, Mulan, Dr. Dolittle, Shakespeare in Love, Lethal Weapon 4, Blade, American History X and The Waterboy.
  • Landline phones are still popular... for now.

    Landline phones are still popular... for now

    Although most houses still had landline telephones, they were starting to slowly die out due to the increasing availability of cellphones.
  • Jenny McCarthy.

    Jenny McCarthy

    American model and television host Jenny McCarthy was listed as FHM's sexiest model in 1998.
  • Best soccer players.

    Best soccer players

    In 1998, the best soccer players were Zinedine Zidane, Davor Šuker, Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Rivaldo, Gabriel Batistuta, Lilian Thuram, Edgar Davids, Dennis Bergkamp, Marcel Desailly and Frank de Boer.
  • Shakespeare in Love.

    Shakespeare in Love

    "Shakespeare in Love" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1998.
  • CD folders and disc towers.

    CD folders and disc towers

    People were using CD folders and disc towers to store their music collections and PlayStation games. CD folders were particularly useful if you wanted to switch between different albums while driving.
  • Ask Jeeves.

    Ask Jeeves

    Internet users were using a search engine called "Ask Jeeves".
  • Late 1990s Fashion.

    Late 1990s Fashion

    Popular clothing items included pleather pants, high-waisted miniskirts, and halter tops. Metallic clothing became more prominent. Cargo pants and other military-inspired clothing also started to become more popular. Preppy looks became widespread among young men as brands such as "Old Navy" and "Abercrombie & Fitch" became more and more popular. The rave scene also inspired the comeback of more colors.
  • The Nintendo 64.

    The Nintendo 64

    The Nintendo 64 was competing with Sony's PlayStation console. Popular games included Mario Kart 64, GoldenEye 007, and Yoshi's Story.
  • The Internet is still a novelty.

    The Internet is still a novelty

    Although the Internet existed, it was still something of a novelty in the late 1990s. Many people had to visit their local library just to "surf the web". Social media wasn't a thing yet, and most sites consisted of gaudy, static web pages.
  • Sony PlayStation.

    Sony PlayStation

    The Sony PlayStation (PS1) was released in September 1995. It was one of the best-selling video game consoles of the 1990s.
  • CDs have become the dominant music format.

    CDs have become the dominant music format

    By this stage, the CD had become the dominant music format. Consequently, sales of CD players and the "Discman" continued to increase. Meanwhile, people were beginning to replace their cassette players.
  • VCRs are common household items.

    VCRs are common household items

    Everyone was using VCRs to watch tapes of movies and TV shows. The device also gave people the ability to record programs and films onto a blank tape.
  • Wallpaper is beginning to go out of style.

    Wallpaper is beginning to go out of style

    By the 1990s, "modernism" was starting to heavily influence interior design trends. As a result, sales of wallpaper started to decline. Instead of using decorative wallpaper, people were beginning to opt for minimalist, painted walls.
  • The Scrunchie.

    The Scrunchie

    People are wearing an elastic hair tie called the "scrunchie".

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on December 17, 1998.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around December 17, 1998.

  • November 17, 1998: The video game "Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus" is released for the PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.
  • November 18, 1998: The Game Boy Color is released in North America.
  • November 19, 1998: Clinton–Lewinsky scandal: Impeachment hearings begin against US President Bill Clinton.
  • November 20, 1998:
    • Enemy of the State (1998) is released.
    • Disney releases the computer-animated film "A Bug's Life".
    • The Rugrats Movie is released in movie theaters.
  • November 21, 1998: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time is released.
  • November 23, 1998: NBA star Dennis Rodman files a petition of annulment 9 days after getting married to model Carmen Electra.
  • November 25, 1998:
    • The animated movie A Bug's Life (1998) is released.
    • Actor Michael J. Fox reveals that he has Parkinson's disease.
  • November 29, 1998: Football: Steven Gerrard makes his debut for Liverpool.
  • December 1, 1998:
    • The song "Chocolate Salty Balls" is released.
    • The song "That Don't Impress Me Much" is released by country music singer Shania Twain.
  • December 5, 1998: 8-year-old Derrick Engebretson goes missing from Rocky Point in Oregon.
  • December 6, 1998: Hugo Chavez is elected as the President of Venezuela.
  • December 9, 1998: Boxing legend Archie Moore passes away from heart failure at the age of 81.
  • December 12, 1998: Irish politics: The Labour Party and the Democratic Left merge together.
  • December 14, 1998: The Spice Girls release their single "Goodbye".
  • This date: December 17, 1998
  • December 18, 1998:
    • The animated movie The Prince of Egypt (1998) is released.
    • The romantic comedy film "You've Got Mail" is released.
  • December 19, 1998: United States President Bill Clinton is impeached.
  • December 21, 1998: The RPG game Baldur's Gate is released.
  • December 22, 1998: French footballer Zinedine Zidane wins the 1998 Ballon d'Or.
  • December 23, 1998: "The Cosby Show" actress Michelle Thomas dies from a rare cancer at the age of 30.
  • January 1, 1999:
    • A new currency called the Euro is established.
    • A singing fish called Big Mouth Billy Bass is released.
  • January 3, 1999: US politics: Republican Newt Gingrich resigns as "Speaker of the House" after a poor midterm performance by the party.
  • January 4, 1999: The first episode of "Ed, Edd n Eddy" is aired on Cartoon Network.
  • January 10, 1999: The first episode of The Sopranos is aired.
  • January 11, 1999: Jon Stewart takes over "The Daily Show".
  • January 12, 1999: Britney Spears releases her debut album "...Baby One More Time".
  • January 13, 1999:
    • Michael Jordan announces his second retirement from basketball.
    • Korean-American high school student Hae Min Lee goes missing in Baltimore, Maryland.
  • January 16, 1999: Boxing: Mike Tyson defeats Francois Botha after a fifth round knockout.

Late 1990s fashion

Photographs of late 1990s fashion and hairstyles.

Late 1990s fashion

Television shows

TV series on December 17, 1998

People in December 1998 were watching the following TV series:

TV shows from December 1998.

Becker
Becker
Charmed
Charmed
Will & Grace
Will & Grace
The King of Queens
The King of Queens
The Royle Family
The Royle Family
That '70s Show
That '70s Show
Sex and the City
Sex and the City
Celebrity Deathmatch
Celebrity Deathmatch
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place
Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek
Ally McBeal
Ally McBeal
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1

Cars in 1998

1998 saw the introduction of cars such as the Cadillac Escalade, the Volkswagen New Beetle, the Ford Cougar, the Ford Focus, the Clio Renault Sport, and the Fiat Multipla.

Cars in 1998.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in December 1998

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

Bob the Builder
Bob the Builder
The Powerpuff Girls
The Powerpuff Girls
Animorphs
Animorphs

Godzilla: The Series
Godzilla: The Series
Cousin Skeeter
Cousin Skeeter
The Wild Thornberrys
The Wild Thornberrys
That '70s Show
That '70s Show
CatDog
CatDog
Dawson's Creek
Dawson's Creek
Bear in the Big Blue House
Bear in the Big Blue House
Men in Black: The Series
Men in Black: The Series
Toys

Toys in 1998

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

The Game Boy Color
The Game Boy Color
Betty Spaghetty (doll)
Betty Spaghetty (doll)
Furby
Furby
Groovy Girls
Groovy Girls
Gogo's Crazy Bones
Gogo's Crazy Bones
Spice Girls dolls
Spice Girls dolls
The Pokémon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game
Bop It
Bop It
Car City Carpet
Car City Carpet
The Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64
The Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi
The PlayStation (PS1)
The PlayStation (PS1)
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in December 1998.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 1998
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
FIFA 99 1998
FIFA 99
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus 1998
Oddworld: Abe's Exoddus
Half-Life 1998
Half-Life
Crash Bandicoot: Warped 1998
Crash Bandicoot: Warped
Pokémon Red and Blue 1998
Pokémon Red and Blue
Mission Impossible 1998
Mission Impossible
Spyro the Dragon 1998
Spyro the Dragon
Metal Gear Solid 1998
Metal Gear Solid
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six 1998
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six
Soulcalibur 1998
Soulcalibur
The X-Files Game 1998
The X-Files Game

Were you born on December 17, 1998?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1998.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out December 17, 2004, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on December 17.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis

Pope
Born on December 17, 1936
He turned 62 on this day in 1998.

Bill Pullman

Bill Pullman

Actor
Born on December 17, 1953
He turned 45 on this day in 1998.

Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell

MMA fighter
Born on December 17, 1969
He turned 29 on this day in 1998.

Manny Pacquiao

Manny Pacquiao

Boxer
Born on December 17, 1978
He turned 20 on this day in 1998.

Chelsea Manning

Chelsea Manning

Whistleblower
Born on December 17, 1987
She turned 11 on this day in 1998.

USA

US President

Bill Clinton was the President of the United States on December 17, 1998.

UK

UK Prime Minister

Tony Blair was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

Bertie Ahern was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on December 17, 1998 was most likely conceived around March 26, 1998.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on December 17, 1998 is close to September 9, 1999.

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Stats for December 17, 1998

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about December 17, 1998:

  • 9,504 days have passed since this date.
  • 1,357 weeks have passed.
  • 821,145,600 seconds have passed since December 17, 1998.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 958,003,200 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 423,711,129,600 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 136,857,600 times.
  • You have taken approximately 70,618,522 steps. That's roughly 31,386 miles.
  • 9,853,747 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1998?

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