NEWS: 1998

As 1998 begins it's clear and 22 degrees F at Baltimore's weather station (at BWI Airport). The wind is from the west-northwest at 8 miles per hour.

It's the start of the International Year of the Ocean, as proclaimed by the United Nations.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then clear, High temp. 34 F, Low temp. 12 F, Wind S 10, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Clear, then partly to mostly cloudy, then clear; breezy in late morning and early afternoon; High temp. 35 F; Low temp. 17 F; Precipitation: None.  No snow on the gorund.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then clear, High temp. 55 F, Low temp. 27 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Clear, then cloudy, then partly cloudy, then clear; High temp. 59 F; Low temp. 34 F; Precipitation: None.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 60 F, Low temp. 32 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Clear, then partly to mostly cloudy, then clear, then partly cloudy; High temp. 62 F; Low temp. 35 F; Precipitation: None.

Coco Jones is born Courtney Jones in Columbia, South Carolina. She's a singer, rapper, songwriter, and actress. She rose to prominence starring in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine (2012), and was featured on Radio Disney's Next Big Thing from 2010 to 2011. Jones was formerly signed with Hollywood Records, before releasing her independent singles and EPs beginning in 2014.

Catonsville weather: Sprinkles, then partly cloudy, High temp. 66 F, Low temp. 44 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : Trace

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Mostly cloudy, then cloudy, then partly cloudy; High temp. 68 F; Low temp. 39 F; Precipitation: None.

Sonny Bono dies at age 64 of injuries suffered when he crashes into a tree while skiing at the Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. He dies of his injuries in Stateline, Nevada. At the time of his death, he was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 44th District. (He was succeeded by his third wife, Mary Bono.) Earlier, he had been Mayor of Palm Springs, California, 1988-1992. He first rose to fame singing 20 charted hit songs, most as duets with his second wife, Cher, as Sonny & Cher, including "I Got You Babe," a #1 song on Billboard magazine's Hot 100 in 1965. Occasionally he sang solo, as in his hit song "Laugh At Me." Sonny was born Salvatore Phillip Bono in Detroit, Michigan, on February 16, 1935.

Catonsville weather: Fog, then partly cloudy, High temp. 62 F, Low temp. 31 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Partly cloudy, then fog (sky clear), then partly cloudy to mostly cloudy; High temp. 64 F; Low temp. 33 F; Precipitation: None.

U.S. President Bill Clinton introduces a proposal to expand Medicare coverage to include Americans ages 55 to 64 who have no health insurance.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then rain showers, High temp. 62 F, Low temp. 48 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : 0.02 inch

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Mostly cloudy, then cloudy with light rain; High temp. 66 F; Low temp. 45 F; Precipitation: Trace.

Catonsville weather: Light rain, High temp. 63 F, Low temp. 55 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.15 inch

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Partly cloudy, then cloudy; light rain from mid-afternoon to mid-evening; High temp. 62 F; Low temp. 55 F; Precipitation: 0.13 inch.

Catonsville weather: Rain, High temp. 64 F, Low temp. 57 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : 0.24 inch

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Cloudy; rain from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm; High temp. 67 F; Low temp. 58 F; Precipitation: 0.14 inch.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then rain showers, then partly cloudy and windy, High temp. 64 F, Low temp. 41 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : 0.06 inch.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Cloudy to mostly cloudy, then clear; a light rain shower in the late morning; windy/breezy from late morning onward (25-mph sustained wind and 37-mph gust at 11:26 am); High temp. 64 F; Low temp. 41 F; Precipitation: 0.02 inch.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then clear, High temp. 50 F, Low temp. 28 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy; then clear; High temp. 53 F; Low temp. 29 F; Precipitation: None.

Catonsville weather: Mostly clear then partly cloudy, High temp. 45 F, Low temp. 26 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Mostly cloudy, then cloudy, then clear; High temp.51* F; Low temp. 28 F; Precipitation: None.

Catonsville weather: Light rain-and-snow mix in late afternoon, High temp. 48 F, Low temp. 21 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.01 inch (liquid). A trace of snowfall, but no snow on the ground at day's end.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Clear, becoming cloudy; a light rain shower with a trace of snow in the early evening; High temp. 40 F; Low temp. 25 F; Precipitation: 0.01 inch (liquid).  No snow on the ground.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then showers, then partly cloudy, High temp. 48 F, Low temp. 35 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : 0.01 inch

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Light rain; High temp. 53° F; Low temp. 34° F; Precip.: 0.03 inch.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, then partly cloudy, High temp. 42 F, Low temp. 22 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 37° F; Low temp. 23° F; Precip.: None.

1.06 inches of precipitation falls in Baltimore, the largest-ever amount in Baltimore on any January 15th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Snow, sleet, and rain, High temp. 38 F, Low temp. 21 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.94 inch. No snow on the ground.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Snow (0.7") and rain; High temp. 46° F; Low temp. 23° F; Precip.: 1.06 inches.  No snow on the ground.

Catonsville weather: Rain, High temp. 40 F, Low temp. 35 F, Wind N 5, Precip. : 0.30 inch

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Light rain; High temp. 42° F; Low temp. 37° F; Precip.: 0.01 inch.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then cloudy, then shower, High temp. 42 F, Low temp. 27 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : Trace

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Rain; High temp. 45° F; Low temp. 32° F; Precip.: 0.10 inch.

Catonsville weather: Rain showers, then mostly cloudy, High temp. 38 F, Low temp. 29 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.13 inch

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Light rain; High temp. 43° F; Low temp. 31° F; Precip.: Trace.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then a light rain-and-snow mix in late afternoon and evening, High temp. 34 F, Low temp. 28 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : 0.02 inch. No snow on ground.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Light rain; High temp. 39° F; Low temp. 33° F; Precip.: 0.02 inch.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then partly cloudy, then clear, windy, High temp. 38 F, Low temp. 28 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: A trace of snow; High temp. 41° F; Low temp. 27° F; Precip.: Trace (liquid).  No snow on the ground.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 45 F, Low temp. 21 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 40° F; Low temp. 23° F; Precip.: None.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy, then sleet in evening, High temp. 38 F, Low temp. 21 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : Trace. Trace of sleet on ground.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Light rain with a trace of snow; High temp. 39° F; Low temp. 24° F; Precip.: 0.05 inch (liquid).  No snow on the ground.

1.82 inches of precipitation falls in Baltimore, the largest-ever amount in Baltimore on any January 23rd (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Heavy rain, then cloudy, High temp. 42 F, Low temp. 33 F, Wind Calm, Precip.: 1.98 inches.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Rain (heavy at times); High temp. 49° F; Low temp. 36° F; Precip.: 1.82 inches.

Catonsville weather: Rain showers, then partly cloudy, then rain/snow mix, High temp. 48 F, Low temp. 38 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : 0.29 inch (liquid). No snow on ground.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Rain with a trace of snow; High temp. 49° F; Low temp. 34° F; Precip.: 0.24 inch (liquid).  No snow on the ground

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, then partly cloudy, windy, High temp. 38 F, Low temp. 29 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 42° F; Low temp. 28° F; Precip.: None.

U.S. President Bill Clinton says that he "did not have sexual relations with" Monica Lewinsky, a White House intern at the time.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, then partly cloudy, High temp. 38 F, Low temp. 21 F, Wind S 10, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 43° F; Low temp. 24° F; Precip.: None.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then light snow then light rain in late afternoon and evening, windy, High temp. 42 F, Low temp. 25 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : 0.15 inch (liquid). No snow on the ground.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Rain; High temp. 44° F; Low temp. 28° F; Precip.: 0.26 inch.

Catonsville weather: Heavy rain, then cloudy, windy, High temp. 39 F, Low temp. 32 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : 1.94 inches.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Rain (heavy at times); High temp. 41° F; Low temp. 36° F; Precip.: 1.76 inches.

Catonsville weather: Sunny, then partly cloudy, High temp. 52 F, Low temp. 29 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 56° F; Low temp. 30° F; Precip.: None.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then partly cloudy, High temp. 45 F, Low temp. 38 F, Wind NW 10, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 46° F; Low temp. 35° F; Precip.: None.

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, then clear, windy, High temp. 42 F, Low temp. 29 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: High temp. 45° F; Low temp. 26° F; Precip.: None.

A total of 6.24 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in January 1998. All frozen precipitation is melted down to liquid before measuring it.

A total of 5.65 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in January 1998, including melted snow and ice, nearly double the normal amount for January (3.08 inches). The average daily high temperature for Baltimore during January 1998 is 49.4 degrees F, well above the normal of 43.2 degrees.  The average daily low temperature for Baltimore during January 1998 is 32.4 degrees F, well above the normal of 25.4 degrees.  A total of 0.7 of an inch of snow falls at Baltimore's official weather station at BWI Airport during January 1998, well below the normal amount of 6.4 inches.

1.65 inches of precipitation falls in Baltimore which is the greatest-ever amount in Baltimore on any February 4th since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Heavy rain, windy, High temp. 39 F, Low temp. 34 F, Wind E 20, Precip. : 1.05 inches

All 196 people on board China Airlines Flight 676, plus seven people on the ground, are killed when the Airbus A300 jet airliner operating the flight crashes into a road and residential area in Taoyuan County (now Taoyuan City), near Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, Taiwan. The flight had been en route from Bali, Indonesia to Taipei, Taiwan. The weather was inclement, with rain and fog when the aircraft approached Chiang Kai-shek International Airport, so the pilot executed a missed approach. After the jet was cleared to land at runway 05L, the autopilot was disengaged, and the pilots then attempted a manual go-around. The jet slowed, pitched up by 40°, rose 1,000 feet (300 m), stalled, and crashed into a residential neighborhood, bursting into flames. The cause of the crash was determined to be pilot error.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then cloudy, then evening rain showers, High temp. 40 F, Low temp. 20 F, Wind E 5, Precip. : 0.05 inch

Grandpa Jones dies at age 84 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a banjo player and "old time" country and gospel music singer. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was born Louis Marshall Jones on October 20, 1913, in Niagara, Kentucky.

Catonsville weather: Light rain showers, then partly cloudy, High temp. 55 F, Low temp. 34 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.09 inch

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, then very light rain shower, High temp. 52 F, Low temp. 28 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : Trace

Great Britain's House of Lords agrees to give a monarch's first-born daughter equal succession to the throne, ending 1,000 years of male preference.

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, then light rain shower, High temp. 54 F, Low temp. 39 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.01 inch

A total of 6.63 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in Febuary 1998. All frozen precipitation is melted down to liquid before measuring it.

A total of 6.40 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in February 1998, including melted snow and ice. This amount is about double the normal amount for February.

Dr. Benjamin Spock dies at age 94 in La Jolla, California. Benjamin McLane Spock was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care is one of the best-selling volumes in history. The book's premise to mothers is that "you know more than you think you do."  He was born on May 2, 1903, in New Haven, Connecticut.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, then partly cloudy, then clear, High temp. 42 F, Low temp. 24 F, Wind NW 10, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 8F, Low temp. 58 F, Wind S 20, Precip. : None

A total of 6.31 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in March 1998. All frozen precipitation is melted down to liquid before measuring it.

A total of 5.56 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in March 1998.

Jose Valentin of the Milwaukee Brewers hits three home runs  and drives in five runs to lead the Brewers to a 7-1 victory over the Florida Marlins at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny then partly cloudy, High temp. 66 F, Low temp. 33 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals  ties Willie Mays’ National League record by hitting a home run in each of his first four games of the season. The Cardinals win 8-6 agsinst the San Diego Padres.

Catonsville weather: Rain then cloudy and windy, High temp. 48 F, Low temp. 40 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : 0.22 inch

Andy Benes pitches 7 innings and Matt Williams gets three hits and a run batted in to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to their first-ever regular-season victory, a 3-2 win over San Francisco GIants. The Diamondbacks (1-5) had the second longest, season-opening losing streak for an expansion team in its first season.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy and windy, High temp. 56 F, Low temp. 36 F, Wind NW 10, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy and breezy, High temp. 55 F, Low temp. 40 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : None

Northern Ireland peace talks conclude as negotiators reach a landmark settlement to end 30 years of bitter rivalries and bloody attacks.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then cloudy then light showers, High temp. 68 F, Low temp. 45 F, Wind SW 5, Precip. : 0.01 inch

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 73 F, Low temp. 36 F, Wind SE 15, Precip. : None

The low temperature in Baltimore reaches 33 degrees F, the lowest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any April 28th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then cloudy, Precip. : None

A total of 3.03 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in April 1998.

A total of 3.02 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in April 1998.

The parent company of Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG of Germany, agrees to buy Chrysler Corporation for more than $37 billion.

Catonsville weather: Fog then partly cloudy then cloudy then rain, High temp. 64 F, Low temp. 27 F, Wind SW 10, Precip. : 0.11 inch

Catonsville weather: Drizzle then cloudy then showers, High temp. 63 F, Low temp. 28 F, Wind N 10, Precip. : 0.26 inch

India sets off three atomic blasts, its first nuclear tests in 24 years.

The very successful TV sitcom "Seinfeld" airs its final episode after nine years on NBC.  It debuted on July 5, 1989, as "The Seinfeld Chronicles" and initially had poor reviews.

Singer-actor Frank Sinatra dies at age 82 in Los Angeles, California. He was one of the best-selling singers of all time, with more than 150 million records sold worldwide. He was born Francis Albert Sinatrra on December 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then mostly sunny, High temp. 80 F, Low temp. 42 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Sunny then partly cloudy, High temp. 91 F, Low temp. 56 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : None

The high temperature in Baltimore reaches 92 degrees F, the highest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any May 16th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy and breezy, High temp. 90 F, Low temp. 67 F, Wind SE 15, Precip. : None

A total of 5.15 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in May 1998.

A total of 3.46 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in May 1998.

The Orioles beat Atlanta, 3-2, in just one hour and 53 minutes.  It's the shortest 9-inning Orioles game ever, by time, at Camden Yards.

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, then cloudy, then light rain shower, High temp. 70 F, Low temp. 49 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : Trace

With a 4-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians, the New York Yankees tie a major-league record by winning or splitting their 24th consecutive series. The Yankees equal the record shared by the 1912 Boston Red Sox and the 1970 Cincinnati Reds.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 82 F, Low temp. 59 F, Wind NW 10, Precip. : None

Sammy Sosa of the Chicago Cubs breaks the major-league record for home runs in one month, hitting his 19th home run of this June in the Cubs' 6-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers. Sosa passes the previous record set by the Tigers' Rudy York in August 1937.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 92 F, Low temp. 62 F, Wind SE 10, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy then a light thundershower, High temp. 85 F, Low temp. 73 F, Wind N 15, Precip. : 0.04 inch

A total of 3.68 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in June 1998.

A total of 3.22 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in June 1998.

Catonsville weather: Heavy rain, then cloudy, High temp. 77 F, Low temp. 59 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 1.40 inches.

Baltimore weather: Heavy rain in the morning, then cloudy; High temp. 73 F; Low temp. 64 F; Precip.: 0.88 inch.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then evening hunderstorms, High temp. 92 F, Low temp. 71 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : 0.40 inch.

Baltimore weather: Clear, becoming cloudy; a thunderstorm in the late evening; High temp. 93 F; Low temp. 73 F; Precip: 0.16 inch.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 86 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind N 10, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather: Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy; breezy in the late morning to early afternoon; High temp. 89 F; Low temp. 69 F; Precip: None.

Trevor Hoffman's bid to set a major-league record of 42 consecutive saves ends when the San Diego closer gives up a home run to Moises Alou on his first pitch of the ninth inning, tying the game. The Padres defeat the Houston Astros 5-4 in the 10th inning, but Hoffman does not set a new consecutive-saves record.

Catonsville weather: Very light rain shower, then cloudy, then partly cloudy, High temp. 84 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : Trace

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then evening thunderstorm with heavy rain, High temp. 91 F, Low temp. 69 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : 1.60 inch.

Baltimore weather: Clear, becoming cloudy; a thunderstorm in the late evening; High temp. 93 F; Low temp. 73 F; Precip: 0.16 inch.

Catonsville weather: Showers, then partly cloudy, Precip. : 0.30 inch.

Baltimore weather: Cloudy, then partly cloudy, then clear; showers in the early morning; High temp. 93 F; Low temp. 73 F; Precip: 0.38 inch.

A total of 3.74 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in July 1998.

A total of 1.42 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in July 1998. This amount is less than half the normal amount for July.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny with brilliant sky, High temp. 82 F, Low temp. 55 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The Cuban national team claims its 22nd gold medal at the World Baseball Championships, defeating South Korea 7-1 and extending its winning streak at the event to 41 games since 1986.

The low temperature in Baltimore reaches 55 degrees F, the lowest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any August 2nd (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy with brilliant sky, High temp. 82 F, Low temp. 52 F, Wind SW 10, Precip. : None

The low temperature in Baltimore reaches 55 degrees F, a tie for the lowest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any August 3rd (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871. This low temperature ties the 55 degrees F that was recorded in Baltimore on August 3, 1959.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 84 F, Low temp. 52 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Dennis Martinez of the Atlanta Braves becomes the winningest Latin pitcher in baseball history, breaking Juan Marichal's record of 243 victories. Martinez pirches a perfect eighth inning and gets the victory when Chipper Jones hits a tiebreaking two-run single in the ninth inning and the Braves hold on for a 7-5 win against the San Francisco Giants.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then rain shower, then partly cloudy, High temp. 87 F, Low temp. 68 F, Wind SE 10, Precip. : Trace

Twenty-nine people are killed by a car bomb that tears apart the center of Omagh, Northern Ireland. A splinter group calling itself the Real IRA claims responsibility for the blast.

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, then partly cloudy, High temp. 84 F, Low temp. 67 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

U.S. President Bill Clinton gives testimony regarding his relationship with Monica Lewinsky. He then delivers a TV address in which he denies committing perjury, admits that his relationship with Lewinsky was "wrong," and criticizes Kenneth Starr's investigation.

Catonsville weather: Rain, then mostly cloudy, High temp. 78 F, Low temp. 70 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.26 inch

The low temperature in Baltimore reaches 49 degrees F, the lowest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any August 20th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, brilliant sky, High temp. 82 F, Low temp. 46 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Marshall Barer dies at age 75 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at his home. He was a lyricist, librettist, singer, songwriter and director. Barer began his career as a lyricist and songwriter in the late 1940s while working as a commercial artist/designer in New York. He wrote or co-wrote numerous children's songs in the late 1940s and 1950s, often partnering with composer Alec Wilder, including "Scuffy the Tugboat" (1948), "Mister Shortsleeves" (1951), "Crackerjack Christmas" (1953), and his most-heard song, the Mighty Mouse theme song (1955). His greatest Broadway success came in 1959 with Once Upon a Mattress, for which he was lyricist and a book writer. In 1972 he wrote seven songs for Scarecrow in a Garden of Cucumbers, a low-budget movie starring Holly Woodlawn. He was born Marshall Louis Barer in Astoria, Queens, New York, on February 19, 1923.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 95 F, Low temp. 68 F, Wind SE 15, Precip. : None.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, High temp. 90 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : None

A total of 0.97 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in August 1998.

A total of 0.91 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in August 1998. This amount is less then 1/3 of the normal amount for August.

Swissair Flight 111 crashes into the Atlantic Ocean southwest of Halifax Stanfield International Airport at the entrance to St. Margarets Bay, Nova Scotia, killing all 229 passengers and crew on board the aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11. The post-crash investigation concluded that flammable material used in the aircraft's structure allowed a fire to spread beyond the control of the crew, resulting in the crash of the aircraft. 

Catonsville weather: Thundershower, then partly cloudy, High temp. 85 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind SE 10, Precip. : 0.10 inch

Google files for incorporation in California.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 88 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The Baltimore Ravens play their opening game of the regular season which is also their first regular-season football game at their new stadium in Baltimore, which is named PSINet Stadium.  The Ravens lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 20-13.

Catonsville weather: Sunny, brilliant sky, High temp. 93 F, Low temp. 52 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hits his 62nd home run of the season, breaking the previous season record set by Roger Maris of the New York Yankees in 1961.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy and windy, High temp. 81 F, Low temp. 57 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : None

U.S. President Bill Clinton meets with members of his Cabinet to apologize, ask forgiveness and promise to improve in the wake of the Monica Lewinsky scandal.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 73 F, Low temp. 50 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

George C. Wallace dies in Montgomery, Alabama, at age 79. He was governor of Alabama 1963-1967, 1971-1979, and 1983-1987. He ran for U.S. President in 1968 as head of the American Indepedent Party. He also ran for President in 1972 as a Democrat, but he was shot five times on May 15, 1972, by Arthur Bremer while he (Wallace) was campaigning at Laurel Shopping Center in Laurel, Maryland. The assassination attempt left him permanently paralyzed from the waist down. He was born on August 25, 1919, in Clio, Alabama.

The Ravens win, 24-10, over the Jets at New York.  The Ravens' record is 1-1-0 this season.

Catonsville weather: Rain shower, then sunny, then partly cloudy, High temp. 87 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind S 10, Precip. : Trace

Cal Ripken Jr. of the Orioles plays in the 2,632nd -- and last -- game of his record-setting streak of consecutive games played.  The Orioles defeat the Yankees, 5-3, at home.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then partly cloudy, High temp. 81 F, Low temp. 64 F, Wind SE 10, Precip. : None

Cal Ripken Jr. voluntarily sits out a game against the Yankees and breaks his record-setting streak of 2,632 consecutive games played.  The Yankees defeat the Orioles, 5-4.

The Ravens lose, 24-10, to the Jaguars at Jacksonville.  The Ravens' record is 1-2.

Catonsville weather: MOstly sunny, High temp. 82 F, Low temp. 61 F, Wind SE 10, Precip. : None

The Ravens win, 31-24, over the Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore.  The Ravens' record is 2-2.

Mark McGwire of the St. Louis Cardinals hits his 70th home run of the season, adding to the record (set by himself)  for most home runs in a season by a Major League Baseball player. This record of 70 home runs will stand until the 2001 season when Barry Bonds hits 73 home runs.

The search-engine company Google is born.

The high temperature in Baltimore reaches 95 degrees F, the highest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any September 27th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny and breezy, High temp. 93 F, Low temp. 66 F, Wind SE 15, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Light rain shower, then partly cloudy, High temp. 83 F, Low temp. 56 F, Wind SE 10, Precip. : Trace

A total of 1.29 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in September 1998.

A total of 1.27 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in September 1998. This amount is about 1/3 of the normal amount for September.

Mark Belanger dies in New York, NY at age 54. He was a Major League Baseball shortstop, playing with the Baltimore Orioles (1965 to 1981) and Los Angeles Dodgers (1982). He was known for superb fielding but poor hitting, and he hit only 20 home runs in his career of 18 big-league seasons. After his playing career, he worked for the Major League Baseball Players Association as a liaison to its members. Mark was born on June 8, 1944 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, then partly cloudy, High temp. 69 F, Low temp. 50 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Gay student Matthew Shepard of the University of Wyoming is beaten, tortured, and left to die, tied to a fencepost near Laramie, Wyoming. (He died of severe head injuries at age 21 on October 12, 1998.)

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, High temp. 70 F, Low temp. 57 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : None

The Ravens lose to the Tennessee Oilers, 12-8, at Baltimore.  The Ravens are 2-3.

Catonsville weather: rilliant sunny sky, High temp. 75 F, Low temp. 49 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Gay student Matthew Shepard of the University of Wyoming dies at age 21 in Fort Collins, Colorado, of severe head injuries suffered when he was beaten and tortured near Laramie, Wyoming, on October 7, 1998. He was born on December 1, 1996, in Casper, Wyoming.

Catonsville weather: Cloudy, High temp. 67 F, Low temp. 49 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The Ravens lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-6, at Pittsburgh.   The Ravens are 2-4.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 77 F, Low temp. 46 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Sunny and bright, High temp. 69 F, Low temp. 41 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Mostly cloudy, then clear, then partly cloudy, breezy/windy from late morning to late afternoon (26 mph gust at 11:54 pm); High temp. 69 F; Low temp. 44 F; Precipitation: None.

The Ravens lose to the Green Bay Packers, 28-10, at Green Bay.  The Ravens are 2-5.

Catonsville weather: Sunny, then partly cloudy, High temp. 72 F, Low temp. 36 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Clear, then mostly sunny, windy, High temp. 65 F, Low temp. 30 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

A total of 2.06 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in October 1998.

A total of 1.06 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in October 1998. This amount is about 1/3 of the normal amount for October.

The Ravens lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 45-19, at Baltimore.  The Ravens are 2-6.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then mostly cloudy, High temp. 65 F, Low temp. 31 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The low temperature in Baltimore reaches 24 degrees F, the lowest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any November 5th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Sunny, then partly cloudy, High temp. 48 F, Low temp. 20 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The Ravens defeat the Oakland Raiders, 13-10, at Baltimore.  The Ravens are 3-6.

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy with sprinkles, High temp. 50 F, Low temp. 38 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : Trace

The Ravens lose, 14-13, to the Chargers at San Diego.  The Ravens are 3-7.

Catonsville weather: Rain, then partly cloudy, then mostly sunny, High temp. 68 F, Low temp. 39 F, Wind NW 5, Precip. : 0.45 inch

The Ravens defeat the Bengals, 20-13, at Cincinnati.  The Ravens are 4-7.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 55 F, Low temp. 27 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The Ravens defeat the Indianapolis Colts, 38-31, in Baltimore.  The Ravens are 5-7.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 68 F, Low temp. 33 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 70 F, Low temp. 39 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

A total of 1.35 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in November 1998.

A total of 1.13 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in November 1998. This amou=unt is about 1/3 of the normal amount for November.

The high temperature in Baltimore reaches 72 degrees F, the highest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any December 3rd (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then mostly sunny, High temp. 70 F, Low temp. 38 F, Wind S 5, Precip. : None

The Ravens lose to the Tennessee Oilers, 16-14, at Nashville.  The Ravens are 5-8 this season.

César Baldaccini dies at age 77 in Paris, France. He was a French modern sculptor of the Nouveau Réalisme movement. He was born on January 1, 1921 in Marseilles, France.

The high temperature in Baltimore reaches 77 degrees F, the highest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any December 6th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 75 F, Low temp. 49 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The high temperature in Baltimore reaches 77 degrees F, the highest temperature ever recorded for Baltimore on any December 7th (up to this point) since recordkeeping began in 1871.

Catonsville weather: Partly cloudy, then cloudy with light rain shower, High temp. 74 F, Low temp. 58 F, Wind SE 5, Precip. : Trace

The Ravens lose to the Minnesota Vikings, 38-28, in Baltimore.  The Ravens are 5-9.

Catonsville weather: Rain, then cloudy, High temp. 45 F, Low temp. 38 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.29 inch

U. S. President Bill Clinton is impeached by the U. S. House of Representatives for perjury and obstruction of justice. But he is acquitted on both counts by the U. S. Senate on February 12, 1999.

Catonsville weather: Mostly cloudy, then partly cloudy, High temp. 52 F, Low temp. 26 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

The Ravens lose to the Bears, 24-3, at Chicago. The Ravens are 5-10.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 55 F, Low temp. 42 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None

BWI Airport gets 3.0 inches of snow, the greatest snowfall on one day for BWI Airport in 1998.

Catonsville weather: Snow -- 3 inches, High temp. 28 F, Low temp. 14 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.29 inch (liquid), 3 inches of snow on the ground at day's end.

The Ravens defeat the Detroit Lions, 19-10, in Baltimore.  The Ravens finish their 1998 season with 6 wins, 10 losses and 0 ties.  They do not make the playoffs.

Catonsville weather: Mostly sunny, High temp. 40 F, Low temp. 11 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : None. A trace of snow on the ground.

Catonsville weather: Snow flurries, then partly cloudy, High temp. 23 F, Low temp. 15 F, Wind Calm, Precip. : 0.01 inch (liquid). No snow on the ground.

Baltimore weather at BWI Airport: Mostly cloudy, then cloudy, then clear; High temp. 26 F; Low temp. 15 F; Precipitation: None.

A total of 1.30 inches of precipitation falls at this Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) in December 1998.

A total of 1.27 inches of precipitation falls at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in December 1998. This amount is about 1/3 of the normal amount for December. This is the sixth consecutive month with less than one and a half inches of precipitation.

Total precipitation for Baltimore in 1998 is 34.37 inches (at Baltimore-Washington International Airport), about 7 and a half inches below normal. This includes six consecutive months (July through December, inlusive) in which the total precipitation is less than two inches in each month. A total of only 7.06 inches of precipitation falls in the second half of 1998, or about one-third of normal.

Total precipitation for the Catonsville observation point (Craigmont Road near Johnnycake Road) is 41.75 inches in 1998, a quarter of an inch inch below normal.