Thursday, January 16, 1997
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Today's Events
The Sundance Film Festival opens in Park City, Utah.
The Mackinaw City Winterfest Snow Sculpting Competition opens in Mackinaw City, Michigan.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) meets to discuss Chechnya and Yugoslavia issues.
Tokyo District Court holds a trial session for Aum Shinri Kyo (Supreme Truth Sect) leader Shoko Asahara.
Students call day-long protests in Quito, Peru, against the economic plan of the government.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors holds its annual winter meeting in Washington, D.C.
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On the horizon
On Friday, January 17, a summit meeting of the Commonwealth of Independent States takes place in Moscow.
On Saturday, January 18, Chateau-d'Oex, Switzerland, holds an international hot air balloon festival.
On Sunday, January 19, the annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony will be held by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in Los Angeles.
On Monday, January 20, President Bill Clinton will be inaugurated for his second term in Washington.
On Tuesday, January 21, the trial of millionaire John du Pont for the slaying of Olympic champion wrestler David Schultz begins in Pennsylvania.
On Wednesday, January 22, Steve Jones, the best-selling writer on genetics and professor at University College London, gives a speech in London on "What Sex Really Means."
On Thursday, January 23, a Paris court rules on racism charges against former film star Brigitte Bardot.
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On this day
In 1547, Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) was formally crowned as the first Russian Tsar.
In 1556, Charles I of Spain was succeeded by his son, Philip II.
In 1794, Edward Gibbon, the historian and author of "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," died.
In 1853, Andre Michelin, who founded the Michelin Tyre Company with his brother Edouard, was born.
In 1909, U.S. singer and actress Ethel Merman was born as Ethel Zimmerman. She was famous for her stage personality and the signature tune "There's no business like show business."
In 1920, Prohibition took effect in the United States, forbidding the
sale or manufacture of alcohol.
In 1920, the first meeting of the Council of the League of
Nations took place in Paris but without the participation of the United States.
In 1942, U.S. actress Carole Lombard died in an air crash. She was best known for her films "Twentieth Century" and "To Be or Not to Be."
In 1944, General Dwight Eisenhower was appointed commander-in-chief of the Allied Expeditionary Force and asked to plan the launch of a second front in Western Europe.
In 1957, Arturo Toscanini, conductor of La Scala and Metropolitan opera houses and the NBC symphony orchestra, died.
In 1968, Jan Palach set fire to himself in Wenceslas Square in Prague to protest the Russian invasion of Czechoslovakia.
In 1965, the Soviet Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 linked up to become the first manned spacecraft to dock in Earth's orbit.
In 1979, the Shah of Iran left the country after being forced into exile by Ayatollah Khomeini.
In 1980, the British government announced re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Chile, broken in 1976.
In 1991, Allied forces began their war against Iraq with a massive bombing campaign.
In 1996, federal police in India charged seven political leaders, including six former cabinet ministers, in connection with an $18 million scandal and sought authority to prosecute three ministers in Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao's cabinet.
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Newslink
Park City, Utah's famed Sundance Film Festival opens today. Once an obscure event for even more obscure filmmakers, Sundance is a mainstream film industry event now. To get the feel of the festival, and the line on over 100 movies at the show, visit the Sundance official home page. For an independent look what's on tap this year at Sundance, visit the Film Scouts Sundance Web offering.
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Holidays and more
Americans do their best to avoid celebrating any holiday on National Nothing Day.
Japan observes Haru-No-Yabuiri.
Debbie Allen, the dancer, choreographer, singer and actress, is 47.
Former race car driver A.J. Foyt is 62.
Opera singer Marilyn Horne is 54.
Actress Katy Jurado is 70.
Singer Eartha Kitt is 69.
Baseball player Jack McDowell is 31.
Singer Ronnie Milsap is 53.
Photographer Francesco Scavullo is 68.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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