1997
Hong Kong returned to China
At midnight in pouring Victoria Harbor rain, the Union Jack came down and the red banner of the People's Republic went up over Hong Kong.
Asian financial crisis
Thailand's central bank, out of reserves, let the baht float.
Princess Diana dies
Fleeing paparazzi on motorcycles, a Mercedes driven by a drunk chauffeur crashed in a Paris tunnel at high speed.
Deep Blue beats Kasparov
IBM's chess computer Deep Blue beat world champion Garry Kasparov in a full six-game match.
Mars Pathfinder lands
On the Fourth of July, NASA's Pathfinder bounced down onto the red plains of Ares Vallis in a cluster of airbags.
Kyoto Protocol signed
After two weeks of bitter negotiation in the Japanese old capital, thirty-seven industrialized nations agreed to binding cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1997?
Saeculum lists 6 events from 1997. The most significant is Hong Kong returned to China: At midnight in pouring Victoria Harbor rain, the Union Jack came down and the red banner of the People's Republic went up over Hong Kong.
What era was 1997 part of?
1997 falls within the Modern Era (1901-2000). World wars, cold war, and the splitting of the atom.
Which regions saw notable events in 1997?
The events from 1997 span East Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America.