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I don't know if anyone figured it out, but reading the exhaustive guide by Ben Tymen, I didn't see any mention. The plot device "Suddenly a shot rang out" is refering to the First Atomic Detonation on July 7, 1945 at the Trinity site in New Mexico.
Thats one thats been bugging me. If i recall correctly (from last time i tried to find out... not from my memories of the date) the two main newsworthy events of 6th August 1999 were a solar eclipse and Vladimir Putin being elected PM (or equivalent) of russia. I can't fit either of them into the letters without a lot of twisting.