World Events in 1997
Death of Princess Diana
Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris on 31 August, along with Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul. Her funeral was watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide, and the outpouring of public grief was unprecedented.
Tony Blair Elected Prime Minister
Labour won a landslide general election victory on 1 May with a majority of 179 seats, ending 18 years of Conservative rule. Blair became the youngest PM since 1812 and ushered in the era of New Labour.
Hong Kong Handed Back to China
At midnight on 1 July, sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred from the United Kingdom to China after 156 years of British rule. The ceremony was attended by Prince Charles and Tony Blair.
Mother Teresa Dies
Mother Teresa of Calcutta died on 5 September, just days after Princess Diana's funeral. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate had devoted her life to serving the poorest of the poor.
Kyoto Protocol Adopted
In December, delegates from over 150 countries adopted the Kyoto Protocol, the first international treaty to set binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The US would later refuse to ratify it.
Music in 1997
"Candle in the Wind 1997 / Something About the Way You Look Tonight"
Elton John
Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana became the best-selling single of all time, with over 33 million copies sold worldwide. Proceeds went to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
"Candle in the Wind 1997 / Something About the Way You Look Tonight"
Elton John
The Diana tribute single dominated charts globally, spending 14 weeks at number one in the US. It remains the best-selling physical single in history.
#1 Film of 1997
Titanic
Box Office: $2.19 billion worldwide
James Cameron's epic romance starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet became the first film to gross over $1 billion and won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture.
Born in 1997
Kylie Jenner
Reality TV star and cosmetics billionaire, youngest self-made billionaire
Simone Biles
Most decorated gymnast in history with 37 World and Olympic medals (as of 2024)
Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and advocate for girls' education
Chloe Kim
American snowboarder who won Olympic gold in halfpipe aged 17
Lost in 1997
Princess Diana
Princess of Wales, beloved humanitarian and global icon
Age 36
Mother Teresa
Nobel Peace Prize-winning nun who served the poorest in Calcutta
Age 87
Gianni Versace
Italian fashion designer and founder of the Versace empire
Age 50
Michael Hutchence
Lead singer of INXS, one of Australia's biggest rock bands
Age 37
James Stewart
Legendary Hollywood actor known for It's a Wonderful Life and Vertigo
Age 89
Technology in 1997
The internet was now mainstream, with millions going online via dial-up. Nokia's 6110 became the must-have mobile phone, complete with Snake. Deep Blue defeated chess champion Garry Kasparov. WiFi standards were being developed, though years from consumer use.
- ● IBM's Deep Blue defeats world chess champion Garry Kasparov
- ● Netflix founded as a DVD-by-mail service
- ● AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) launched
- ● Nokia 6110 released, popularising Snake
Cost of Living in 1997
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £68,000 | $124,000 |
| Average salary | £17,800 | $36,000 |
| Pint of milk | 32p | $0.63 |
| Loaf of bread | 62p | $0.80 |
| Dozen eggs | £1.16 | $1.17 |
| Pint of beer | £1.55 | $2.70 |
| Gallon of petrol/gas | £2.60 | $1.23 |
| Cinema ticket | £3.50 | $4.59 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1997
Cool Britannia was at its peak -- Tony Blair invited Oasis to Downing Street and the country felt optimistic. Then Princess Diana's death in August plunged the nation into extraordinary public grief. The Spice Girls were conquering the world, and Teletubbies bemused parents everywhere.
In the News in 1997
Tony Blair's Labour won a historic landslide with 418 seats. Hong Kong was handed back to China after 156 years of British rule. Scientists announced the successful cloning of Dolly the Sheep to the wider world.