January 1997

Wednesday 01:

The Republic of Zaïre officially joins the World Trade Organization, as Zaïre.

Friday 03:

NBC's Today show host Bryant Gumbel signs off for the last time.

Sunday 05:

Withdrawal of Russian forces from Chechnya.

Tuesday 07:

A team of programmers at the University of Regensburg, Germany releases Tibia, one of the earliest graphical MMORPGs.

Wednesday 08:

computer processer Pentium MMX introduced by Intel.

Thursday 09:

A Comair Embraer 120 crashes during approach into Detroit Metro Airport, killing 29.

Thursday 16:

Ennis Cosby, the only son of actor Bill Cosby, is killed by a gunman while changing a flat tire in Los Angeles, California.

Saturday 18:

Boerge Ousland of Norway becomes the first person to cross Antarctica alone and unaided.

Sunday 19:

Yasser Arafat returns to Hebron after more than 30 years and joins celebrations over the handover of the last Israeli controlled West Bank city.

Tuesday 21:

Newt Gingrich becomes the first leader of the United States House of Representatives to be internally disciplined for ethical misconduct.

Wednesday 22:

Madeleine Albright becomes the first female secretary of state after confirmation by the United States Senate.

Thursday 23:

Madeleine Albright becomes the first woman to serve as United States Secretary of State.

Sunday 26:

Super Bowl XXXI: The Green Bay Packers defeat the New England Patriots, 35-21.

Monday 27:

It is revealed that French museums have nearly 2,000 pieces of art that were stolen by Nazis.

Tuesday 28:

Arista Records founder Clive Davis receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.