May 29, 1999 was a momentous day for the space shuttle Discovery, when it docked with the International Space Station for the first time. Latina Ellen Ochoa was on board and working during the event as mission specialist and engineer. Her responsibilities included coordinating the transfer of nearly two tons of supplies from one vessel… Continue reading Latina in Space in 1999!
Year: 1999
Venezuelans Aid the Poor of El Norte 1999
On February 2, 1999, Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías was inaugurated as President of Venezuela. Chávez is the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela, and he has implemented socialist reforms. He continually annoys the US establishment by directing Citgo Petroleum Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA), to donate free heating… Continue reading Venezuelans Aid the Poor of El Norte 1999
Dr. Ed Avila, 1999 Teacher of the Year Award
On January 25, 1999, Hispanic Magazine and Nordstrom Inc. announced that Dr. Ed Avila won the 1999 Teacher of the Year Award. Avila directed the Endeavour Academy, an engineering and applied science preparatory school, where he developed the curriculum and teaches classes. He contributed to the development of the Youth Aerospace Discovery Program, a weekly… Continue reading Dr. Ed Avila, 1999 Teacher of the Year Award
Charter Flights to Cuba 1999
On January 5, 1999, the Clinton administration (Bill, not Hil) approved direct charter flights from New York and Los Angeles to Cuba. Secretary of State Madeline Albright made the announcement, which was heralded as the most significant change in policy toward Cuba in decades. Travel was restricted to humanitarian-aid workers, athletes, scholars, teachers, and researchers,… Continue reading Charter Flights to Cuba 1999