Page 61 - 2000

Supplied by AP

Russian President Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly
resigned on the eve of the new millennium,
apologizing to the nation for what he
characterized as a failure to fulfill their dreams
during his eight years of power. Yeltsin stressed
that ne was not leaving because of his health,
but because "it was time to go." Deteriorating
health and alleged corruption marred much of
his presidency, however he w ill forever be
remembered for dismantling communism in the
former Soviet Union.

Anti-trade protesters descended upon the
streets of Seattle to rally for human rights,
labor, the environment and other concerns November 1
during W orld Trade Organization meetings
in December. The protests turned violent
and resulted in widespread vandalism,
causing police to use tear gas and fire
rubber bullets on people. The National
Guard was deployed, a curfew was set
and more than 50 0 people were arrested.
No serious injuries resulted, but downtown
merchants reported more than $2 million
in property damage and $ 17 million in lost November 4
retail sales.

Stephan Savoia/AP

The 20th anniversary of the 1979 hostage
crisis in Iran was observed in November.
In Hermitage, Pa., ceremonies were held
at the site where 4 4 4 flags still fly in
remembrance, one flag for each day the
52 U .S. hostages were in captivity.
Activities in Iran were a little more volatile November 18i
with thousands of Iranians converging on
the former U.S. embassy in Tehran, many
of whom chanted "Death to America!"
Although tensions between the two
countries eased somewhat during the
1990s, Iran continued to reject U.S. offers
for official talks.
Gene Puskar/AP

November 11

Four failed attempts behind him,
Italian explorer Christopher
Columbus sailed west from Spain
in 1492 with three small ships and
a Spanish crew and stumbled upon
a new world. His discovery? Two
giant continents rich in raw materi­
als and agricultural products that November
eventually changed the economy
and politics of the world at large.