When The Michigan Daily bid farewell to 1998 on Dec. 11, few could have predicted that the remaining 20 days would be some of the year's most poignant. Finals week in Ann Arbor progressed on schedule while journalists and politicians marveled at historic events unfolding simultaneously on two very different stages. Members of the House of Representatives debated four articles of impeachment sent to the floor by the Judiciary Committee as members of the U.S. military joined British forces in air raids over Baghdad, Iraq. The attack lasted for several days, as did formal and informal debate on impeachment.

In the end, one U.S. president was impeached - only the second in the country's history - one speaker-elect resigned and no American lives reportedly were lost in the attack. Although commentators and citizens speculated about the timing of the events, most would agree that each carried its own solemn significance.

So far, 1999 has brought the University of Michigan a football bowl victory (chronicled in today's sports section), a foot of snow and, sadly, the death of a student.

The new year also brings us closer to the end of legal proceedings against President Clinton and to the 20th Century.

We look forward to sharing the day-to-day events of 1999 with you.

-Laurie Mayk, editor in chief

01-06-99