June 1997

Monday 02:

Timothy McVeigh is convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 terrorist bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Tuesday 03:

Lionel Jospin becomes Prime Minister of France.

Tuesday 10:

Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot orders the killing of his defense chief Son Sen and 11 of Sen's family members before Pol Pot flees his northern stronghold.

Thursday 12:

The United States Department of the Treasury unveils a new $50 bill meant to be more counterfeit-resistant. http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/rr1746.htm

Friday 13:

A jury sentences Timothy McVeigh to the death penalty for his part in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.

Monday 16:

Dairat Labguer massacre in Algeria; some 50 people killed.

Wednesday 25:

An unmanned Progress spacecraft collided with the Russian Space station, Mir.

Thursday 26:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the U.S.), the first book in J.K. Rowling's hugely popular Harry Potter series, is published.

Saturday 28:

Boxer Mike Tyson is disqualified from WBA title re-match, for biting off part of the ear of his opponent Evander Holyfield.

Monday 30:

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