WHAT ALL HAPPENED FEBRUARY TO AUGUST 1997
Find out what all happened February to August 1997

Haouch Khemisti massacre in Algeria – 93 villagers killed. (22. April 1997)

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

The Chemical Weapons Convention of 1993 enters into force, outlawing the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons by its signatories. (29. April 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)

The unusual tornado outbreak in Jarrell, Texas. (27. May 1997)

The Dairat Labguer massacre in Algeria; 50 people die. (16. June 1997)

En route to Lebanon, two Israeli Sikorsky CH-53 troop-transport helicopters collide in mid-air over northern Galilee, Israel killing 73. (4. February 1997)

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere, the most ecologically diverse region in Mexico, is established as a result of grassroots efforts. (19. May 1997)

India's Missionaries of Charity chooses Sister Nirmala to succeed Mother Teresa as its leader. (13. March 1997)

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

An earthquake in northern Iran is responsible for about 3,000 deaths. (28. February 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)

The Soufrière Hills volcano in Montserrat erupts resulting in the death of 19 people. (25. June 1997)

The United States government acknowledges the existence of the "Secret War" in Laos and dedicates the Laos Memorial in honor of Hmong and other "Secret War" veterans. (15. May 1997)

The tail of a Russian Antonov An-24 charter plane broke off while en route to Turkey causing the plane to crash and killing all 50 people on board and leading to the grounding of all An-24s. (18. March 1997)

A China Southern Airlines Boeing 737 crashes on approach into Bao'an International Airport, killing 35 people. (8. May 1997)

The Japanese embassy hostage crisis ends in Lima, Peru. (22. April 1997)

The Bank of England is given independence from political control, the most significant change in the bank's 300-year history. (6. May 1997)

China resumes sovereignty over the city-state of Hong Kong, ending 156 years of British colonial rule. (1. 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)