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Major Events of April 1997: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from April 1997 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1997: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1997 Pokémon Television Series Debut: The iconic animated television series Pokémon premiered on TV Tokyo, launching a global media franchise that would become a cultural phenomenon.
  • 02 Apr 1997 Russia and Belarus Union Agreement: Russia and Belarus signed the Agreement on the Creation of a Union, marking a significant political milestone in their bilateral relations and signaling closer integration between the two Slavic states in the post-Soviet era.
  • 03 Apr 1997 Thalit Massacre in Algeria: A tragic event where guerrillas attacked the village of Thalit, killing 52 out of 53 inhabitants in a brutal act of violence during the Algerian Civil War.
  • 04 Apr 1997 Space Shuttle STS-83 Mission Launched and Aborted: NASA launched Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-83, but the mission was prematurely terminated due to a critical fuel cell malfunction, forcing an early return to Earth.
  • 05 Apr 1997 Death of Allen Ginsberg, Influential Beat Poet: Allen Ginsberg, a seminal American poet and key figure of the Beat Generation, passed away at age 70. Known for his groundbreaking poem 'Howl' and his significant influence on 20th-century counterculture, Ginsberg was a pivotal voice in American literature and social activism.
  • 06 Apr 1997 Lillelid Murders in Greene County, Tennessee: A tragic and horrific multiple murder case where a family was targeted by young criminals, resulting in the deaths of three members of the Lillelid family. This shocking crime highlighted issues of youth violence and senseless criminal behavior in rural America.
  • 07 Apr 1997 Grand National Horse Race Disrupted by IRA Bomb Threat: The 150th Grand National horse race was dramatically postponed due to an IRA bomb threat. When the race finally occurred, jockey Tony Dobbin rode the New Zealand-bred horse Lord Gyllene to a stunning victory, winning at 14/1 odds by an impressive 25-length margin.
  • 08 Apr 1997 Microsoft Releases Internet Explorer 4.0: Microsoft Corporation launched Internet Explorer 4.0, a significant milestone in the web browser market during the late 1990s internet expansion. This release represented a major step in Microsoft's browser technology and competition with Netscape Navigator.
  • 09 Apr 1997 Soundgarden Announces Band Breakup: Alternative rock band Soundgarden, led by Chris Cornell, officially announced their dissolution, marking the end of one of the pioneering grunge bands of the 1990s.
  • 10 Apr 1997 Death of Michael Dorris, Native American Author and Activist: Michael Dorris, a prominent American author, scholar, and Native American advocate, passed away on April 10, 1997. Known for his groundbreaking works exploring Native American experiences and adoption, Dorris was a respected writer who co-authored several books with his wife Louise Erdrich and wrote critically acclaimed works like 'A Yellow Raft in Blue Water'. His contributions to Native American literature and his advocacy for indigenous rights made him a significant cultural figure.
  • 11 Apr 1997 Nazi War Criminal Erich Priebke Retried: Former SS Captain Erich Priebke, a Nazi war criminal, was retried and subsequently sentenced to 5 years in prison on July 22, 1997. This legal proceeding represented continued efforts to hold World War II war criminals accountable for their actions.
  • 12 Apr 1997 Tiger Woods Makes History at the Masters: Tiger Woods won the Masters Tournament on April 12, 1997, marking a pivotal moment in golf history. At just 21 years old, Woods became the youngest golfer ever to win the prestigious tournament, setting a record with a remarkable 12-stroke victory and signaling the emergence of a new era in professional golf.
  • 13 Apr 1997 Tiger Woods Wins Masters Tournament: In Augusta, Georgia, 21-year-old Eldrick "Tiger" Woods achieves a historic victory at the 61st Golf Masters Tournament. He wins by a record 12 strokes with a total score of 270 (18 under par), marking his first major championship victory. Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters and delivers what is considered the greatest professional golf performance in over a century.
  • 14 Apr 1997 Nazi War Criminal Erich Priebke Retried: Former SS Captain Erich Priebke was retried for war crimes, and on July 22, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison, representing a continued pursuit of justice for Nazi atrocities.
  • 15 Apr 1997 Jackie Robinson's Number Retired: Major League Baseball honored Jackie Robinson by retiring his iconic number 42 across all teams, commemorating his groundbreaking role in breaking the color barrier in professional baseball and advancing civil rights.
  • 16 Apr 1997 Murder of Doris Angleton: Doris Angleton, a Houston socialite, was murdered in her luxurious River Oaks home on April 16, 1997. The case gained significant media attention when her brother-in-law, Roger Angleton, later confessed to the crime in a suicide note. Despite being initially found not guilty by a Texas jury, her husband Rob Angleton was later investigated by the United States Department of Justice for potential involvement in the murder.
  • 17 Apr 1997 Death of Israeli President Chaim Herzog: Chaim Herzog, a prominent Israeli statesman who served as President of Israel, passed away on this date, marking the end of a significant political career that spanned several crucial decades in Israeli history.
  • 18 Apr 1997 Battle of Dybbøl: A Prussian-Austrian army defeats Denmark and gains control of Schleswig. Denmark surrenders the province in the following peace settlement, marking a significant territorial change in 19th-century European geopolitics.
  • 19 Apr 1997 Death of Eldon Hoke (El Duce): Eldon Hoke, known professionally as El Duce, an American musician associated with the shock rock band The Mentors, passed away. He was a controversial figure in the underground music scene.
  • 20 Apr 1997 Easter Seal Telethon Raises Significant Funds: The 27th Easter Seal Telethon successfully raised $47,392,682, demonstrating significant public support for charitable causes supporting individuals with disabilities.
  • 21 Apr 1997 Lima Hostage Crisis Ends: A 126-day hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, Peru, concluded when government commandos stormed the building. The operation resulted in the rescue of 71 hostages, with one hostage dying of a heart attack. Two soldiers were killed by rebel fire, and all 14 Tupac Amaru rebels were eliminated.
  • 22 Apr 1997 Japanese Embassy Hostage Crisis in Lima, Peru: A dramatic 126-day hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima, Peru concludes with a daring government commando operation. The rescue mission successfully freed 71 hostages, though tragically one hostage died of a heart attack during the operation. Two soldiers were killed by rebel fire, and all 14 members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) were eliminated during the storming of the building.
  • 23 Apr 1997 Omaria Massacre in Algeria: A tragic incident occurs in the Omaria region of Algeria, where 42 villagers are brutally killed, highlighting the ongoing violence and conflict in the area during this period.
  • 24 Apr 1997 Battle of Mühlberg: A significant military engagement where Duke of Alba, commanding Spanish-Imperial forces of Charles I of Spain, decisively defeats the troops of the Schmalkaldic League, marking a crucial moment in the religious and political conflicts of 16th-century Europe.
  • 25 Apr 1997 Devastating Earthquake in Nepal: A powerful magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck near Kathmandu, Nepal, causing extensive structural damage, widespread infrastructure collapse, and resulting in thousands of fatalities. The seismic event was one of the most destructive in Nepal's recent history, triggering landslides, building collapses, and significant humanitarian challenges.
  • 26 Apr 1997 Peng Zhen, Former Beijing Mayor, Dies: Peng Zhen, a prominent Chinese political leader who served as the mayor of Beijing from 1951 to 1966, passed away. He was an important figure in the Chinese Communist Party during a significant period of political transformation in China.
  • 27 Apr 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention Treaty Activation: The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) treaty officially enters into force, marking a significant milestone in international arms control and disarmament efforts.
  • 28 Apr 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention Takes Effect: The 1993 Chemical Weapons Convention officially went into effect, marking a significant international effort to prohibit the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons. Notable nations such as Russia, Iraq, and North Korea had not ratified the treaty at this time, highlighting the ongoing challenges in global disarmament efforts.
  • 29 Apr 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention Enters into Force: The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 officially enters into force, marking a significant milestone in international arms control by outlawing the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons among its signatories. This treaty represents a crucial step towards global disarmament and preventing the use of chemical weapons in warfare.
  • 30 Apr 1997 Ellen DeGeneres Comes Out on Television: In a groundbreaking television moment, Ellen DeGeneres's character comes out as gay on her sitcom 'Ellen', marking a significant milestone for LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media.