Portal:Current events/March 1997

	1
30	31

1997 January February March April May June July August September October November December

March 1997 was the third month of that common year. The month, which began on a Saturday, ended on a Monday after 31 days.

Portal:Current events[edit]

This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from March 1997.

March 4, 1997 (Tuesday)

edit

history

watch

U.S. President Bill Clinton bans federal funding for any research on human cloning.

March 6, 1997 (Thursday)

edit

history

watch

Pablo Picasso's Tête de Femme is stolen from a London gallery (recovered a week later).
In Sri Lanka, Tamil Tigers overrun a military base and kill more than 200.

March 13, 1997 (Thursday)

edit

history

watch

India's Missionaries of Charity chooses Sister Nirmala to succeed Mother Teresa as its leader.
The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China creates a new Chongqing Municipality, out of part of Sichuan.
The Phoenix Lights, a series of UFOs, are seen over Phoenix, Arizona.

March 16, 1997 (Sunday)

edit

history

watch

Sandline affair: On Bougainville Island, soldiers of commander Jerry Singirok arrest Tim Spicer and his mercenaries of the Sandline International.

March 18, 1997 (Tuesday)

edit

history

watch

The tail of a Russian An-24 charter plane breaks off while en route to Turkey, causing the plane to crash, killing all 50 on board, and resulting in the grounding of all An-24s.

March 21, 1997 (Friday)

edit

history

watch

In Zaire, Etienne Tshiksekedi is appointed prime minister; he ejects supporters of Mobutu Sese Seko from his cabinet.
Mercenaries of Sandline International withdraw from Papua New Guinea.

March 22, 1997 (Saturday)

edit

history

watch

Tara Lipinski, 14, becomes the youngest women's world figure skating champion.
The Comet Hale–Bopp makes its closest approach to Earth.

March 23, 1997 (Sunday)

edit

history

watch

The British detective drama show, Midsomer Murders broadcasts on ITV.

March 24, 1997 (Monday)

edit

history

watch

The 69th Academy Awards, hosted by Billy Crystal, are held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, with The English Patient winning Best Picture.

March 26, 1997 (Wednesday)

edit

history

watch

In San Diego, 39 Heaven's Gate cultists commit mass suicide at their compound.
Julius Chan resigns as prime minister of Papua New Guinea, ending the Sandline affair.