Sydney Harbour was swamped by a 200,000 litre oil spill, which is the equivalent to about the same amount of oil in Ricky Martin's hair.
There was a Turkish Earthquake. One of the biggest problems encountered since then, is how to face Mecca four times a day when you're being pinned to the ground by the rubble of a twelve storey building that was held together by Clag glue.
It has been revealed that prominent Nazi Scientists were brought to Australia from Germany after World War II, to work on such amazing Aussie scientific projects as the Meat Pie that's not soggy in the middle and the robotic Hills Hoist, neither of which ever saw the light of day.
At an Independence Party Convention in East Timor, there was the first official raising of the Timorese Flag ahead of next month's historic vote. It was promptly shot down.
Australian Treasurer Peter Costello has said that half of the Liberals MPs support a republic, and half do not. In a related story, Peter Costello is an idiot.
The Queen Mum turned 99, which means in a years time she will get a letter from her own daughter. Which will be quite amazing considering the bitter internal feuds have meant no members of the royal family have communicated with each other since 1991.
The 1999 America Bowl was a huge success at stadium Australia on the August 6th weekend. However, despite the extent of the gridiron player's protective clothing, some major injuries were reported with a San Diego player breaking a fingernail and a Denver Bronco getting an itchy nose. An Aussie Rules player later remarked, "Take that pansy boys".
Boris Yeltsin has fired his government for the fourth time in 18 months. He celebrated with a case... no, make that 13 cases of vodka, and a funny dance.
Quote of the month: "Let's not bother taking the tent... or our mobile phones. What will we need those for during our week long snowboarding adventure in Kosciousko National Park?".
Paula Yates has revealed in an interview she once had sex with Michael Hutchence on an airplane while in view of former Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke. "This is not the first time something like this has happened to me" Hawke said, in reference to having travelled on a plane before.