March 9,1999:Michael Jackson is to receive a newly created Diamond Award!The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has established a new Diamond award, a certification level which will be given to recording artists who have achieved U.S. sales of 10 million units for an individual album or single. As of this month, 62 albums spanning four decades qualify for the honor, according to the RIAA. Until now, the RIAA had bestowed Gold and Platinum awards; Gold for 500,000 units, Platinum for 1 million, and multi-Platinum sales in the U.S. RIAA will unveil the Diamond award at a gala event to be held at New York's Roseland Ballroom on Tuesday, March 16, 1999. It is not yet known if Michael will be attending the ceremony. [Reuters]