WHAT HAPPENED IN 1997.
Look what happened the 1997.

NASA's Pathfinder space probe lands on the surface of Mars. (4. July 1997)

The Troubles: In response to the Drumcree dispute, five days of mass protests, riots and gun battles begin in Irish nationalist districts of Northern Ireland. (6. July 1997)

The Turkish Armed Forces withdraw from northern Iraq after assisting the Kurdistan Democratic Party in the Iraqi Kurdish Civil War. (7. July 1997)

In London scientists report the findings of the DNA analysis of a Neanderthal skeleton which supports the "out of Africa theory" of human evolution placing an "African Eve" at 100,000 to 200,000 years ago. (10. July 1997)

Miguel Ángel Blanco, a member of Partido Popular (Spain), is kidnapped in the Basque city of Ermua by ETA members, sparking widespread protests. (10. July 1997)

In Miami, Florida, serial killer Andrew Cunanan guns down Gianni Versace outside his home. (15. July 1997)

The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army resumes a ceasefire to end their 25-year campaign to end British rule in Northern Ireland. (19. July 1997)

The fully restored USS Constitution (aka Old Ironsides) celebrates its 200th birthday by setting sail for the first time in 116 years. (20. July 1997)

The second Blue Water Bridge opens between Port Huron, Michigan and Sarnia, Ontario. (22. July 1997)

Digital Equipment Corporation files antitrust charges against chipmaker Intel. (23. July 1997)

About 50 people are killed in the Si Zerrouk massacre in Algeria. (27. July 1997)

Oued El-Had and Mezouara massacre in Algeria; a total of 116 villagers killed, 40 in Oued El-Had and 76 in Mezouara. (3. August 1997)

Souhane massacre in Algeria; over 60 people are killed and 15 kidnapped. (20. August 1997)

Egon Krenz, the former East German leader, is convicted of a shoot-to-kill policy at the Berlin Wall. (25. August 1997)

Beni-Ali massacre in Algeria; 60-100 people killed. (26. August 1997)

At least 98 villagers are killed by the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria GIA in the Rais massacre, Algeria. (29. August 1997)

Diana, Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul die in a car crash in Paris. (31. August 1997)

The death of Diana, Princess of Wales is announced by Buckingham Palace. (1. September 1997)

Vietnam Airlines Flight 815 (Tupolev TU-134) crashes on approach into Phnom Penh airport, killing 64. (3. September 1997)

Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales takes place in London. Well over a million people lined the streets and 2.5 billion watched around the world on television. (6. September 1997)