Major Events of May 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 May 1997 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

01 May 1997 Labour Party Ends Conservative Rule in UK: The United Kingdom experiences a significant political shift as the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, ends 18 years of Conservative governance, marking a transformative moment in British political history.
02 May 1997 Tony Blair Becomes UK Prime Minister: Tony Blair of the Labour Party was appointed Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, marking a significant political transition after nearly two decades of Conservative governance. At 44 years old, he became the youngest prime minister in 185 years, signaling a potential generational shift in British politics.
03 May 1997 Kasparov vs Deep Blue Chess Match Begins: Renowned chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov initiated a historic chess match against IBM's advanced supercomputer Deep Blue, marking a significant moment in the intersection of artificial intelligence and human strategic thinking.
04 May 1997 US Billboard Number 1 Song: The number 1 song in the United States on May 4, 1997 was 'Hypnotize' by rapper The Notorious B.I.G., a significant hip-hop track released shortly before the artist's tragic death.
05 May 1997 Married With Children Final Episode: The groundbreaking American sitcom 'Married... with Children' aired its final episode on Fox TV, concluding an 11-season run that revolutionized television comedy with its irreverent humor and unconventional family portrayal.
06 May 1997 Bank of England Gains Independence: The Bank of England is granted independence from political control, representing the most significant structural change in the institution's 300-year history and potentially improving monetary policy decision-making.
07 May 1997 Intel Releases Pentium II Processor: Intel launched the Pentium II processor, a significant advancement in computer technology. The processor featured a new 66 MHz bus interface called Slot 1, 200 MHz 32 kB Level 1 cache, MMX instructions, and 512 kB Level 2 external cache. Available in speeds of 233, 266, and 300 MHz, the processor incorporated 7.5 million transistors using 0.35 micron process technology. Prices ranged from US$636 to $1,981, with the development code-name being 'Klamath'.
08 May 1997 China Southern Airlines Crash: A tragic aviation accident occurred when a China Southern Airlines Boeing 737 crashed while approaching Bao'an International Airport, resulting in the loss of 35 lives.
09 May 1997 US Ambassador Returns to Vietnam: Pete Peterson becomes the first United States ambassador to Vietnam since the fall of Saigon in 1975, marking a significant diplomatic milestone in post-war relations between the two countries. This historic visit symbolizes the gradual normalization of diplomatic ties and represents a major step towards reconciliation after decades of tension.
10 May 1997 Devastating Qayen Earthquake in Iran: On May 10, 1997, a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck northeastern Iran's Khorasan Province, specifically near the city of Qayen. The seismic event caused widespread destruction, resulting in at least 1,567 fatalities, over 2,300 injuries, and leaving approximately 50,000 people homeless. The earthquake destroyed or severely damaged over 15,000 homes, creating a significant humanitarian crisis in the region.
11 May 1997 Deep Blue Defeats Garry Kasparov: In a groundbreaking moment for artificial intelligence and computing, IBM's 'Deep Blue' chess computer defeated world champion Garry Kasparov in the final game of a six-game series. This historic match marked the first time a computer beat a reigning world chess champion, signaling a significant milestone in machine learning and computational capabilities.
12 May 1997 Russia and Chechnya Sign Historic Peace Treaty: After centuries of conflict, Russia and Chechnya signed a landmark peace treaty aimed at ending long-standing tensions and establishing a framework for potential reconciliation.
13 May 1997 Eddie Murray Reaches Milestone in Baseball Career: Eddie Murray, a legendary first baseman and designated hitter, became the sixth player in Major League Baseball history to play in 3,000 games. This remarkable achievement highlights Murray's exceptional durability, consistency, and longevity in professional baseball, marking him as one of the most enduring athletes of his generation.
14 May 1997 Star Alliance Formation: The Star Alliance is formed between five major international airlines: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines System, Thai Airways International, and United Airlines. This strategic partnership represents a significant milestone in global aviation cooperation, enabling shared routes, coordinated services, and enhanced travel experiences for passengers.
15 May 1997 Presidential Apology for Tuskegee Syphilis Study: President Bill Clinton issues a formal apology to survivors and families affected by the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study, a deeply controversial medical research project that deliberately withheld treatment from African American men with syphilis.
16 May 1997 Clinton's Apology for Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment: U.S. President Bill Clinton issues a formal, historic apology to survivors and families of the unethical Tuskegee Syphilis Study, acknowledging the grave medical and racial injustices perpetrated by government scientists who deliberately withheld treatment from African American men with syphilis.
17 May 1997 End of First Congo War: Laurent-Désiré Kabila's troops successfully seize power in Kinshasa, conclusively ending the First Congo War and dramatically reshaping the political landscape of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
18 May 1997 50th Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or Awards: The prestigious 50th Cannes Film Festival awarded the Palme d'Or jointly to two remarkable films: 'Taste of Cherry' by Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami and 'Unagi' by Japanese director Shohei Imamura, marking a significant moment in international cinema.
19 May 1997 The Lost World: Jurassic Park Premieres: Steven Spielberg's science fiction sequel 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park' was released in the United States, starring Jeff Goldblum and Julianne Moore. The film, a follow-up to the groundbreaking 'Jurassic Park', continued the franchise's exploration of genetic engineering and dinosaur resurrection themes.
20 May 1997 US Executive Order on Burma Investment Ban: US President Bill Clinton signed an executive order prohibiting new US investment in Burma (Myanmar), effective May 21, with the order renewable on an annual basis. This diplomatic action was likely in response to human rights concerns and the political situation in Burma at the time.
21 May 1997 MMMBop Tops US Charts: The pop song 'MMMBop' by the teenage band Hanson reached number one on the US music charts, becoming a defining pop culture moment of the late 1990s.
22 May 1997 Kelly Flinn Discharged from Air Force: Kelly Flinn, the U.S. Air Force's first female bomber pilot certified for combat, accepted a general discharge to avoid a court martial. Her case drew significant attention to gender dynamics and military policies regarding personal conduct.
23 May 1997 Mohammad Khatami Elected President of Iran: Mohammad Khatami wins the Iranian presidential election, marking a significant political shift in Iran. As a reformist candidate, Khatami's victory represented a potential move towards more moderate policies and increased openness in Iranian politics.
24 May 1997 Eritrea Independence Day: Eritrea celebrates its independence from Ethiopia, marking the end of a 30-year struggle and the establishment of a new sovereign nation in 1993.
25 May 1997 Strom Thurmond Becomes Longest-Serving U.S. Senator: Senator Strom Thurmond of South Carolina reaches a historic milestone by becoming the longest-serving member in the United States Senate, with a tenure of 41 years and 10 months. This achievement highlights his significant and lengthy political career in American governance.
26 May 1997 Roller Derby Legend Joan Weston Passes Away: Joan Weston, a prominent and influential figure in Roller Derby, died from a brain disease in Hayward, California on May 26, 1997. Known as a dynamic and skilled athlete, Weston was a significant personality in the sport during its peak popularity.
27 May 1997 Yeltsin Signs Historic NATO Treaty: Russian President Boris Yeltsin signed a landmark treaty with NATO, signaling a significant diplomatic breakthrough in post-Cold War relations between Russia and Western powers.
28 May 1997 Devastating Tornado Strikes Jarrell, Texas: A catastrophic tornado tore through Jarrell, Texas, on May 28, 1997, causing massive destruction and claiming the lives of at least 28 people. The tornado was part of a severe weather outbreak that devastated the local community and highlighted the destructive power of extreme weather events.
29 May 1997 New Human Species Discovery: Spanish scientists announced the discovery of a previously unknown human species based on a 780,000-year-old fossil, providing significant insights into human evolutionary history and prehistoric human diversity.
30 May 1997 Tragic Incident: Betty Shabazz Critically Injured: Betty Shabazz, the widow of civil rights leader Malcolm X, was critically injured when her 12-year-old grandson deliberately set her on fire, resulting in a devastating and shocking act of familial violence that drew national attention.
31 May 1997 Iraq Disarmament Crisis Escalation: Tensions escalated during the Iraq disarmament crisis when Iraqi military personnel attempted to physically prevent an UNSCOM helicopter pilot from flying to a planned destination, creating a dangerous situation that threatened the safety of the aircraft and its crew.