In March 1998, the world was witnessing significant events in various fields. The United States was preparing for the upcoming midterm elections, while the European Union was focusing on the implementation of the Euro as a common currency. In the realm of technology, Google was gaining traction as a search engine, having been founded just a few years earlier. Meanwhile, the NCAA basketball tournament, known as "March Madness," was about to begin, capturing the attention of sports fans across the United States.