As this October day in 1999 got started, news broke of a train collision just outside of Paddington Station in London. At first the reports were 8 killed, but as the day progressed the toll rose to 26. Not a good day for the newly privatized rail system in England.
On the domestic front - news also broke of a merger between telecommunications giant MCI (remember them?) and Sprint (remember them?) making for the largest merger of its kind in U.S. history. And it certainly wouldn't be the last time. The Supreme Court was weighing in on the subject of Campaign Finance Reform with sides drawn up. Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill - President Clinton was vowing to ratify the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty despite staunch disapproval. New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson announced a desire to see drugs legalized, which fell rather flat in Washington. College Tuition went up 3%, making it just that much more difficult to get an education in this country. It was also discovered that 58% of all financial aid was in the form of student loans (yes, the one you're still paying on).
New York was in fits of delirium over the Mets heading to the Playoffs.
South Korea acknowledged they had a nuclear plant leak going on.
And a group of parents were sending an appeal to Attorney General Janet Reno to include Christian symbols on tiles for the Commemoration of the Columbine High School massacre.
October 5, 1999 as viewed by The CBS World News Roundup.
In case you forgot just what kind of day it was.
