Event:
Breaking with long-standing tradition among Russian heads of state, President Vladimir Putin delivered two New Year's speeches rather than one; he made his second stres from Khaborovsk, a city that experienced devastating floods this summer
More Notable Events on December 31:
1999 Control of Panama Canal reverts to Panama
1997 Microsoft buys Hotmail E-mail service
1993 Barbra Striesand does her 1st live public concert in 20 years
1991 U.S.S.R., last day of existence
1990 Sci-Fi Channel on cable TV begins transmitting
