Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
1997 The crash of Comair Flight 3272 in 1997 in Monroe County, Michigan, resulted in the loss of 29 lives, underscoring the importance of aviation safety and the investigation of airline accidents.
1997 Atlantis launches to the Russian space station Mir, carrying astronaut Jerry M. Linenger for a four-month stay.
1997 The catastrophic explosion of a Delta II rocket carrying the GPS IIR-1 satellite at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station underscored the risks associated with space exploration.
1997 Yasser Arafat returns to Hebron after an absence of more than 30 years, joining in celebrations marking the handover of the last Israeli-controlled West Bank city. This event carries profound significance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
1997 In a historic move, the US House of Representatives reprimanded Newt Gingrich for ethics violations, setting a precedent in congressional accountability.
1997 A groundbreaking moment for women in diplomacy occurs as Madeleine Albright assumes the role of United States Secretary of State, becoming the first woman to hold this prestigious position.
1997 Tragedy strikes the skies over northern Galilee, Israel, as two Israeli Sikorsky CH-53 troop-transport helicopters collide in mid-air, resulting in the loss of 73 lives.
1997 Iran is shaken by the Bojnurd earthquake, with a magnitude of Mw 6.5, inflicting significant devastation and loss of life, a somber chapter in the nation's natural history.
1997 Switzerland's Big Three banks create a fund to support Holocaust survivors and their families, addressing a somber chapter in history.
1997 Space Shuttle Discovery embarks on a crucial mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope, expanding our understanding of the cosmos.
1997 Scientific history was made as British researchers announced the successful cloning of an adult sheep named Dolly, a groundbreaking achievement that opened new frontiers in biotechnology.
1997 An earthquake in northern Iran is responsible for about 3,000 deaths.
1997 GRB 970228, a highly luminous flash of gamma rays, strikes the Earth for 80 seconds, providing early evidence that gamma-ray bursts occur well beyond the Milky Way.
1997 A Turkish military memorandum resulted with collapse of the government in Turkey.
1997 Comet Hale-Bopp graced the night sky, becoming visible to observers and captivating the world with its celestial beauty.
1997 The world of music mourned the loss of The Notorious B.I.G. as he was tragically gunned down in Los Angeles after attending the Soul Train Music Awards, an event that remains unsolved.
1997 In 1997, the Missionaries of Charity selected Sister Nirmala as the successor to Mother Teresa, carrying forward their vital humanitarian work with renewed dedication and compassion.
1997 The parliaments of Russia and Crimea sign an accession treaty, marking a significant turning point in regional geopolitics and setting the stage for complex international relations dynamics.
1997 Tara Lipinski, aged 14 years and nine months, achieves a historic feat by becoming the youngest women's World Figure Skating Champion, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.
1997 The discovery of Comet Hale-Bopp captivates the world, offering a celestial spectacle for astronomers and stargazers alike.
1997 A solemn discovery unfolds as thirty-nine bodies are found in the tragic Heaven's Gate mass suicides, shedding light on the depths of human beliefs and the search for transcendence.
1997 Comet Hale-Bopp, one of the most dazzling comets of the 20th century, approaches Earth, captivating astronomers and stargazers around the world.
1997 The Thalit massacre begins in Algeria; all but one of the 53 inhabitants of Thalit are killed by guerrillas.
1997 The peaceful tranquility of Greene County, Tennessee, is shattered as the Lillelid murders unfold, leaving a community in shock and mourning.
1997 Tiger Woods achieved golfing immortality on April 13, 1997, becoming the youngest golfer to claim victory at the Masters Tournament, etching his name in sporting history.
1997 The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993, a historic treaty, came into force, ushering in a new era of global commitment to ban the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.
1997 In a historic move, the Bank of England gained independence from political control, marking a transformative shift in its 300-year history and the world of central banking.
1997 Tragedy struck as China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashed on approach into Bao'an International Airport, resulting in the devastating loss of 35 lives. This somber event underscored the inherent risks of air travel.
1997 Iran's Khorasan Province is rocked by the 7.3 Mw Qayen earthquake, a catastrophic event that claims the lives of 1,567 people, leaving a profound impact on the region and the nation.
1997 In a historic moment for artificial intelligence, the chess-playing supercomputer Deep Blue made history by defeating world champion Garry Kasparov in the final game of their rematch, marking the first-ever victory for a computer in a classic match format against a reigning world champion.
1997 The United States government officially acknowledges the existence of the "Secret War" in Laos, paying tribute to Hmong and other veterans with the dedication of the Laos Memorial, a poignant recognition of their sacrifices.
1997 The Space Shuttle Atlantis embarks on STS-84, a mission to dock with the Russian space station Mir, highlighting international cooperation in the realm of space exploration.
1997 Mobutu Sese Seko, the longstanding President of Zaire, flees the country, marking a turning point in the nation's turbulent political landscape.
1997 In a pivotal moment in Congolese history, troops of Laurent Kabila marched into Kinshasa in 1997, marking the official renaming of Zaire to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the beginning of a new chapter in the nation's journey.
1997 Mexico's ecological diversity received protection with the establishment of the Sierra Gorda biosphere, a testament to grassroots efforts in preserving one of the country's most diverse regions.
1997 Sierra Leone experiences a seismic shift in leadership as a military coup replaces President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah with Major Johnny Paul Koroma, setting the stage for a tumultuous period in the nation's history.
1997 The 1997 Central Texas tornado outbreak wreaked havoc in Central Texas, spawning multiple tornadoes, including an F5 tornado that tragically killed 27 people in Jarrell.
1997 Oklahoma City Justice: In Denver, Timothy McVeigh is found guilty on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, an act of terror that claimed 168 lives. He is subsequently executed four years later.
1997 The Second Republic of the Congo Civil War commenced, thrusting the nation into a turbulent period marked by conflict and political instability.
1997 In a shocking turn of events, Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot ordered the ruthless killing of his defense chief Son Sen, along with 11 of Sen's family members.
1997 Queen Elizabeth II reopened the Globe Theatre in London in 1997, a momentous occasion celebrating the enduring legacy of Shakespearean theater and the profound cultural impact of the Bard's timeless works.
1997 In a significant legal verdict, a jury sentences Timothy McVeigh to death for his role in the devastating 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, marking a pivotal moment in the aftermath of the tragedy.
1997 A tragic event unfolds in Algeria as the Daïat Labguer massacre claims the lives of fifty individuals, casting a shadow over the nation.
1997 Space exploration faced a moment of peril as an uncrewed Progress spacecraft collided with the Russian space station Mir, a harrowing incident in the annals of space history.
1997 The National Hockey League expanded its horizons, granting franchise status to Nashville, Atlanta, Columbus, and Minneapolis-Saint Paul, marking a significant moment in the growth of professional ice hockey in North America.
1997 The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that the Communications Decency Act violates the First Amendment to the United States Constitution reinforces the protection of free speech on the internet, setting a legal precedent.
1997 J. K. Rowling, a British author, introduces the world to the enchanting universe of Harry Potter as she publishes the first book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," in the United Kingdom.
1997 Evander Holyfield achieved a remarkable feat by defeating Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated boxing match, a bout that captivated the sporting world and solidified Holyfield's status as a boxing legend.
1997 The Warsaw Pact military alliance dissolved in 1991, marking the end of a significant Cold War institution. This event had far-reaching consequences for the balance of power in Europe and international relations.
1997 The Asian financial crisis is set into motion as the Bank of Thailand decides to float the baht, a pivotal moment that reverberates through the economies of the region.
1997 NASA achieved a remarkable feat as its Pathfinder space probe successfully touched down on the Martian surface, opening a new chapter in the exploration of the Red Planet.
1997 In Sri Lanka, the nation mourned as Sri Lankan Tamil MP A. Thangathurai was tragically shot dead at Sri Shanmuga Hindu Ladies College in Trincomalee, a somber moment in the country's history.
1997 The Drumcree dispute ignited five days of mass protests, riots, and gun battles in Irish nationalist districts of Northern Ireland, marking a turbulent period during the Troubles.
1997 The Turkish Armed Forces withdraw from northern Iraq, concluding their involvement in the Iraqi Kurdish Civil War and reshaping the region's dynamics.
1997 A harrowing incident unfolds as a Fokker 100 aircraft belonging to the Brazilian airline TAM experiences an explosion, launching engineer Fernando Caldeira de Moura Campos into a 2,400-meter free fall due to depressurization.
1997 In a scientific breakthrough, researchers in London reported the results of DNA analysis of a Neanderthal skeleton. The findings supported the "out of Africa theory" of human evolution, suggesting the existence of an "African Eve" 100,000 to 200,000 years ago.
1997 Tragedy struck Spain as Miguel Ángel Blanco, a member of Partido Popular, was kidnapped and later murdered by ETA members in the Basque city of Ermua. The incident ignited widespread protests and marked a somber chapter in Spanish history.
1997 In 1997 AD, the Provisional Irish Republican Army resumed a ceasefire in Northern Ireland, signaling a significant step toward peace and the end of a 25-year paramilitary campaign.
1997 On July 20, 1997, the fully restored USS Constitution, affectionately known as "Old Ironsides," celebrated its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years, a momentous event in maritime history.
1997 The second Blue Water Bridge opens between Port Huron, Michigan, and Sarnia, Ontario, facilitating international trade and travel.
1997 The tech world witnesses a seismic shift as Digital Equipment Corporation files antitrust charges against chipmaker Intel, marking a pivotal moment in the technology industry.
1997 The year 1997 witnessed a devastating tragedy in Algeria known as the Si Zerrouk massacre. Approximately 50 people lost their lives in this tragic event, which had a profound impact on the local community and highlighted the challenges facing the region.
1997 FedEx Express Flight 14 faced a harrowing incident at Newark International Airport, injuring five individuals and highlighting the importance of aviation safety and operations.
1997 A dark day unfolds in Algeria as the Oued El-Had and Mezouara massacre claims the lives of 116 villagers, with 40 perishing in Oued El-Had and 76 in Mezouara.
1997 Sky Tower, the Southern Hemisphere's tallest free-standing structure, emerges as an iconic landmark in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, following two-and-a-half years of construction.
1997 A tragic aviation incident unfolded as Korean Air Flight 801 crashed at Nimitz Hill, Guam, resulting in a devastating loss of 228 lives, leading to increased safety measures in the aviation industry.
1997 The launch of Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-85 from Cape Canaveral marked another successful mission in the Space Shuttle Program, advancing our capabilities in space exploration.
1997 Tragedy struck as Fine Air Flight 101 crashed after takeoff from Miami International Airport, claiming the lives of five people.
1997 Formosa Airlines Flight 7601 met with tragedy in 1997 AD when it crashed near Beigan Airport in Taiwan's Matsu Islands, claiming the lives of sixteen people and leaving a lasting impact on aviation safety.
1997 The Souhane massacre, a gruesome act of violence, unfolded in Algeria on this date. Over 60 people were killed, and 15 were kidnapped in this tragic incident that left scars on the nation.
1997 Egon Krenz's conviction for a shoot-to-kill policy at the Berlin Wall highlights the legal consequences of Cold War-era actions in East Germany.
1997 The Beni Ali massacre unfolds in Algeria, a harrowing event resulting in the loss of 60 to 100 lives, etching a painful scar on the nation's history.
1997 Netflix revolutionizes home entertainment as it launches as an internet DVD rental service, forever changing how we watch movies.
1997 The Armed Islamic Group of Algeria (GIA) carries out the Rais massacre, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 98 villagers in Algeria.
1997 The tragic car crash in Paris resulting in the deaths of Diana, Princess of Wales, her partner Dodi Fayed, and driver Henri Paul sends shockwaves across the world, leaving an indelible mark on history.
1997 : Tensions flared in Belfast as Protestant loyalists initiated a picket of Holy Cross, a Catholic primary school for girls. This divisive event underscored the complex religious and social dynamics of Northern Ireland.
1997 The Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, took place in London, drawing well over a million mourners and a global TV audience of billions as the world bid farewell to the beloved princess.
1997 The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor took its maiden flight in 1997, showcasing advanced aerospace technology.
1997 NASA's Mars Global Surveyor successfully reaches Mars, marking a significant milestone in planetary exploration.
1997 The Kurkse tragedy unfolds as 14 Estonian soldiers of the Baltic Battalion tragically drown or succumb to hypothermia during a training exercise in the Kurkse Strait.
1997 Following a nationwide referendum, Scotland votes to establish a devolved parliament within the United Kingdom, shaping the nation's political landscape.
1997 Tragedy struck the skies over Namibia on September 13, 1997, as a German Air Force Tupolev Tu-154 and a United States Air Force Lockheed C-141 Starlifter collided in mid-air. This catastrophic event resulted in the loss of 33 lives and highlighted the importance of air safety measures and international cooperation.
1997 The tragic event in Ahmedabad resulting in the loss of many lives marked a somber day in the city's history.
1997 Ted Turner's generous donation of US$1 billion to the United Nations exemplifies the power of philanthropy in addressing global challenges.
1997 The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention is adopted, marking a significant step towards eradicating these deadly weapons from conflict zones worldwide.
1997 The Guelb El-Kebir massacre in Algeria kills 53 people.
1997 Cultural heritage lost: St. Olaf's Church, a 16th-century stone church in Tyrvää, Finland, is tragically burnt down by a burglar.
1997 A tragic crash near Medan airport claims 234 lives when a Garuda Indonesia Airbus A300 goes down.
1997 An earthquake in Umbria and the Marche regions caused part of the Basilica of St. Francis at Assisi to collapse.
1997 North Carolina becomes the backdrop for the second-largest cash robbery in U.S. history, a daring heist that captures the nation's attention.
1997 On October 10, 1997, tragedy struck as Austral Líneas Aéreas Flight 2553 crashed and exploded in Uruguay, resulting in the tragic loss of 74 lives.
1997 Tragedy strikes in Algeria as the Sidi Daoud massacre unfolds, claiming the lives of 43 individuals at a deceptive roadblock, leaving the nation in grief and turmoil.
1997 A new era of exploration begins as the Cassini probe launches from Cape Canaveral, embarking on its journey to the distant planet Saturn.
1997 Danish fugitive Steen Christensen's escape culminates in the killing of two police officers, Chief Constable Eero Holsti and Senior Constable Antero Palo, in Ullanlinna, Helsinki, Finland.
1997 After a civil war's tumultuous aftermath, Denis Sassou Nguesso declared himself President of the Republic of the Congo, heralding a new era in the nation's history.
1997 The 1997 Asian financial crisis sends shockwaves through global markets, causing a significant crash in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
1997 The tranquil Mekong Delta in Vietnam was shaken by the devastating arrival of Tropical Storm Linda, leading to a tragic loss of over 3,000 lives. The region grappled with the aftermath of this catastrophic natural disaster.
1997 The United States imposes economic sanctions against Sudan in response to its human rights abuses of its own citizens and its material and political assistance to Islamic extremist groups across the Middle East and East Africa.
1997 WorldCom and MCI Communications unveil their monumental $37 billion merger, etching their names in the annals of corporate history with the largest merger in U.S. history at that time, reshaping the telecom industry.
1997 Ramzi Yousef's guilty verdict for masterminding the 1993 World Trade Center bombing underscores the importance of global counterterrorism efforts.
1997 After nearly 18 years of incarceration, China released pro-democracy dissident Wei Jingsheng from jail in 1997 for medical reasons, marking a significant development in the struggle for human rights.
1997 A tragic event unfolds in Luxor, Egypt, as 62 lives are lost in a heinous act of violence perpetrated by six Islamic militants outside the Temple of Hatshepsut. This event, known as the Luxor massacre, leaves a lasting impact on the region.
1997 Algeria experiences a grim episode as twenty-five people lose their lives in the second Souhane massacre, leaving a deep scar on the nation's history.
1997 A tragic chapter unfolds in Bihar, India, as Ranvir Sena attacks the CPI (ML) Party Unity stronghold of Lakshmanpur-Bathe, resulting in the loss of 63 lives.
1997 A dark day in West Paducah, Kentucky, as the Heath High School shooting unfolds, sparking conversations about the need for school safety.
1997 Diplomatic efforts culminate in Ottawa, Canada, as representatives from 121 countries sign the Ottawa Treaty, banning the manufacture and deployment of anti-personnel landmines, although notable exceptions remain.
1997 Siberia mourns as a Russian Antonov An-124 Ruslan cargo plane crashes into an apartment complex near Irkutsk, claiming the lives of 67 souls and leaving a trail of devastation.
1997 The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty addressing climate change, opens for signature in 1997, marking a significant milestone in global efforts to combat environmental challenges.
1997 Tajikistan Airlines Flight 3183 meets a tragic end as it crashes in the desert near Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, resulting in the loss of 85 lives.
1997 The tragic crash of Aerosvit Flight 241 in the Pierian Mountains near Thessaloniki Airport left 70 souls perished and a nation in mourning.
1997 SilkAir Flight 185's tragic crash into the Musi River near Palembang, Indonesia, serves as a somber reminder of the aviation industry's challenges.
1997 Acteal, a serene village in Chiapas, Mexico, becomes the site of unspeakable tragedy as paramilitary forces massacre attendees at a Roman Catholic prayer meeting for indigenous causes.
1997 A glimmer of hope emerges in war-torn Somalia as Hussein Farrah Aidid relinquishes his claim to the title of President, signing the Cairo Declaration in Egypt, a pivotal step toward reconciliation.
1997 The Sid El-Antri massacre in Algeria leaves a dark stain on history, resulting in the loss of many innocent lives.
1997 Northern Ireland witnesses a tragic event as Protestant paramilitary leader Billy Wright is assassinated, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
1997 Algeria faced one of its darkest days in 1997 as the Wilaya of Relizane carried out a horrifying massacre, claiming the lives of 400 individuals from four villages, a tragic event that left an indelible mark on the nation's history.
1997 Taiwan is gripped by shock and horror as Pai Hsiao-yen, the daughter of renowned Taiwanese artiste Pai Bing-bing, is abducted on her way to school, marking the prelude to a harrowing tragedy.
