On November 5, 1999, Federal District Court Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson (1937-2013) issues a formal finding of fact that Microsoft Corporation "enjoys monopoly power" in the market for computer oper...
On November 20, 1999, the NewHolly Branch, The Seattle Public Library, opens on Beacon Hill. It is the first branch built under the "Libraries For All" bond issue. The $1 million building replaces a d...
On November 20, 1999, a gala dedication celebration is held for the newest and second-largest library in the King County Library System (KCLS), located in Redmond, home to tech giants Microsoft and Ni...
On November 26, 1999, Washington Governor Gary Locke (b. 1950) offers to send National Guard troops to Seattle to augment Seattle police during expected demonstrations protesting the World Trade Organ...
On Sunday, November 28, 1999, as trade officials from 135 member countries begin arriving in Seattle for the Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO), two anti-WTO demonstrat...
On Monday, November 29, 1999, one day before the Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) officially opens, three large demonstrations rally against WTO policies. In the afte...
On Tuesday, November 30, 1999, thousands of direct action protestors achieve their well-publicized goal to "shut down the WTO" through nonviolent civil disobedience, forcing cancelation of the opening...
On Wednesday, December 1, 1999, following Tuesday's massive nonviolent civil disobedience that temporarily shut down the Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and scattere...
On Thursday, December 2, 1999, police abandon the rubber bullets, tear gas, and other forceful tactics used during the past two days to quell protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO). Hundr...
On Friday, December 3, 1999, trade negotiations fail and the Third Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) ends without achieving its goal of reaching agreement on an agenda for t...
On December 6, 1999, Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper announces that he will resign and that he takes full responsibility for the unrest which closed the Central Business District and disrupted World...
On December 8, 1999, the Seattle City Council opens hearings into failures by Seattle police and civilian officials in planning for and dealing with protests against the World Trade Organization (WTO)...
On December 8, 1999, former South African president Nelson Mandela (1918-2013) and his wife Graca Machel (b. 1946) land at Boeing Field to begin a three-day visit in Seattle. Govenor Gary Locke (b. 19...
On December 14, 1999, the Seattle City Council holds the second of its hearings into the unrest surrounding the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting during the week of November 30, 1999. The council...
On December 15, 1999, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas unveils his design for a new $156 million Central Library for The Seattle Public Library. The "space age" (Times) building will have five levels held...
On December 31, 1999, Mayor Paul Schell (1937-2014) closes Seattle Center and orders a massive force of 895 police officers and 320 fire fighters on alert for possible terrorist attacks and WTO-style ...
On January 1, 2000, revelers in Washington join those throughout the world to celebrate the arrival of the twenty-first century and the start of a new millennium. Seattle officials cancel the planned ...
The 2000 U.S. Census reveals that every county in the state of Washington sees an increase in population since the previous census in 1990. Some cities and towns show dramatic population growth, while...
On January 13, 2000, at a press conference, Bill Gates (b. 1953) turns over leadership of Microsoft to Steve Ballmer (b. 1956). Gates retains his position as chairman of the board and takes the title ...
On January 24, 2000, Bill and Melinda Gates announce a gift of $5 billion in Microsoft stock to their namesake foundation. The contribution raises the total Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation endowme...
On January 29, 2000, the new Wallingford Branch, The Seattle Public Library opens at 1501 N 45th Street on the ground floor of the Fremont Public Association Resource Center. This is the second branch...
On January 31, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261, bound for Seattle, plunges into the Pacific Ocean 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles, off the coast of California, killing all 88 passengers and crew. T...
On February 15, 2000, members of the Suquamish Tribe dig about 2,000 pounds of Manila clams at Erland Point, on Bremerton, Kitsap County. This is the first Native American commercial clamdig on privat...
On February 17, 2000, a municipal court judge dismisses criminal charges against a man accused of violating the emergency order prohibiting the possession of "devices commonly known as gas masks" duri...