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

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

  • 01 Sep 1997 Boris Yeltsin Declines Re-Election: In a significant political moment, Boris Yeltsin, the first democratically elected president of Russia, announces he will not seek a third term, marking a pivotal transition in post-Soviet Russian political leadership.
  • 02 Sep 1997 Viktor Frankl, Renowned Psychiatrist, Dies: Viktor Frankl, an influential Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist, passed away. Frankl was a Holocaust survivor and the founder of logotherapy, a form of existential analysis that emphasizes finding meaning in life, even in the most challenging circumstances.
  • 03 Sep 1997 Yeltsin Announces Political Retirement: Boris Yeltsin, the first popularly elected president of Russia, announced he would not seek re-election when his four-year term ends in 2000. This decision signaled a potential peaceful transition of power in post-Soviet Russia.
  • 04 Sep 1997 Princess Diana's Funeral: The state funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, was held at Westminster Abbey, drawing an unprecedented global television audience of over 2 billion people. The event marked a profound moment of collective mourning and global solidarity.
  • 05 Sep 1997 Death of Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa (Annai Theresa), a Roman Catholic nun renowned for her humanitarian work, passed away. She dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor in Calcutta, India, and was globally recognized for her compassionate service and commitment to alleviating human suffering.
  • 06 Sep 1997 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales: The funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales took place at Westminster Abbey, marking a profound global mourning event. Over one billion people worldwide watched the ceremony, which became a landmark moment in modern royal and media history. The event was characterized by unprecedented public grief and global media attention.
  • 07 Sep 1997 F-22 Raptor First Test Flight: The first official test flight of the advanced F-22A Raptor stealth fighter took place, marking a significant milestone in United States military aviation technology. This cutting-edge aircraft represented a major leap forward in air superiority capabilities.
  • 08 Sep 1997 Steve Jobs Returns to Apple as Interim CEO: Steve Jobs was named interim CEO of Apple Computer Inc., marking a pivotal moment in the company's history. This strategic leadership change would ultimately lead to Apple's remarkable transformation and resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
  • 09 Sep 1997 Sinn Fein Accepts Mitchell Principles on Paramilitary Disarmament: In a significant political development, Sinn Fein formally accepted the Mitchell Principles, which outlined a peaceful path to disarmament in Northern Ireland. This marked a crucial step towards resolving the long-standing conflict and promoting peaceful political dialogue.
  • 10 Sep 1997 Mark McGwire's Historic Home Run Achievement: Mark McGwire joins Babe Ruth as the only players in Major League Baseball history to hit 50 home runs in two consecutive years, highlighting his exceptional batting prowess.
  • 11 Sep 1997 Scotland Establishes Devolved Parliament: On the historic 700th anniversary of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Scotland voted to re-establish its own Parliament after nearly three centuries of union with England. This landmark referendum marked a significant moment in Scottish political autonomy, allowing for increased self-governance within the United Kingdom.
  • 12 Sep 1997 Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie Deposed: Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, revered as the 'Messiah' of the Rastafari movement, is overthrown by a military coup led by the Derg, concluding his historic 58-year reign. This pivotal moment marked a dramatic end to Ethiopia's imperial era and significantly transformed the country's political landscape.
  • 13 Sep 1997 Mother Teresa's State Funeral: Mother Teresa, the renowned Roman Catholic nun and humanitarian who dedicated her life to serving the poor in Calcutta, receives a state funeral in India. Her passing marks the end of an era for global humanitarian efforts and her legacy of compassion.
  • 14 Sep 1997 49th Primetime Emmy Awards: The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards celebrated outstanding achievements in television. Notable winners included the drama series 'Law & Order', comedy series 'Frasier', with Dennis Franz and Gillian Anderson receiving individual acting awards.
  • 15 Sep 1997 Oprah Winfrey Extends Talk Show Contract: Media icon Oprah Winfrey announced she would continue her highly popular television talk show through the year 2000, ensuring her continued influence in entertainment and media.
  • 16 Sep 1997 Steve Jobs Returns to Apple as CEO: Apple Computer Inc. names co-founder Steve Jobs as temporary CEO, a pivotal moment in the company's history that would ultimately lead to Apple's remarkable technological and financial resurgence in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
  • 17 Sep 1997 Elton John's 'Candle in the Wind 1997' Release: Elton John released his poignant tribute single 'Candle in the Wind 1997', a reworked version of his original song dedicated to Princess Diana following her tragic death. Initially released in the UK on September 13, the single was subsequently released in the United States on September 22, 1997.
  • 18 Sep 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention Adoption: The international community takes a significant step towards humanitarian protection by adopting the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, aiming to prohibit the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines.
  • 19 Sep 1997 Guelb El-Kebir Massacre in Algeria: On September 19, 1997, a tragic massacre occurred in Guelb El-Kebir, Algeria, resulting in the brutal killing of 53 people. This event was part of the ongoing Algerian Civil War, characterized by extreme violence between government forces and Islamic insurgent groups.
  • 20 Sep 1997 Yankees Clinch Postseason Berth: The New York Yankees secured their 37th postseason appearance and their third consecutive playoff berth on September 20, 1997. This milestone underscores the team's consistent excellence and dominance in Major League Baseball during the late 1990s, a period marked by the Yankees' sustained success and dynasty-like performance.
  • 21 Sep 1997 AIS Declares Ceasefire in Algeria: The Armed Islamic Salvation (AIS), the armed wing of the Islamic Salvation Front, announced a unilateral ceasefire in Algeria, marking a significant moment in the Algerian Civil War.
  • 22 Sep 1997 Elton John's Diana Tribute Single: Elton John released 'Candle in the Wind 1997', a poignant tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, following her tragic death. The song became a global phenomenon, breaking numerous sales records and serving as a musical memorial to the beloved royal figure.
  • 23 Sep 1997 Seattle Mariners Set Major League Home Run Record: The Seattle Mariners made baseball history by breaking the Major League Baseball record for most home runs in a single season, hitting an impressive 258 home runs. This achievement represented a significant milestone in the team's offensive performance and marked a notable moment in MLB statistical records.
  • 24 Sep 1997 World Land Speed Record Set by Jet-Powered Car: On September 24, 1997, British driver Andy Green achieved a remarkable feat by setting a jet-powered car speed record of 714 miles per hour, pushing the boundaries of automotive engineering and human speed capabilities.
  • 25 Sep 1997 Deadly Air Crash in Indonesia: A catastrophic air crash in Indonesia, likely caused by smoke from extensive forest fires, resulted in the tragic loss of 235 lives on Garuda Indonesia Flight 152.
  • 26 Sep 1997 Central Italy Earthquake Devastates Assisi: On September 26, 1997, two powerful earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.7 and 6.4 struck central Italy, causing significant destruction. The seismic event resulted in eleven fatalities, over 100 injuries, and approximately 80,000 homes being destroyed. A particularly notable consequence was the partial collapse of the historic Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, which damaged priceless medieval frescoes and architectural heritage.
  • 27 Sep 1997 Mars Pathfinder Communication Loss: NASA experienced a sudden and unexpected loss of communications with the Mars Pathfinder space probe, creating a moment of uncertainty in the mission's ongoing exploration of the Red Planet.
  • 28 Sep 1997 Ryder Cup Golf in Valderrama, Spain: Historic Ryder Cup golf tournament held at Valderrama Golf Club in Spain, where the European team wins 14½-13½ against the United States. This victory was significant as the first time the event was contested in continental Europe and marked the beginning of Europe's six consecutive home victories.
  • 29 Sep 1997 Terry Nichols Oklahoma City Bombing Trial Jury Selection Begins: Jury selection commenced for the trial of Terry Nichols, a key defendant in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which was one of the deadliest domestic terrorist attacks in U.S. history. Nichols was being tried for his role in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more.
  • 30 Sep 1997 Microsoft Launches Internet Explorer 4: Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 4, a significant milestone in web browser technology that would play a crucial role in the browser wars of the late 1990s and early 2000s.