Monday, April 7, 1997
Today's Events
Turkish Defense Minister Turhan Tayan makes an official visit
to Israel.
Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri visits is scheduled
to visit Russia.
East Timor independence leader Jose Ramos Horta is scheduled
to address the annual U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva.
Winners of 1997 Pulitzer Prizes are scheduled to be announced
at Columbia University in New York.
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On the horizon
On Wednesday, April 9, a London court decides on extradition
for Roisin McAliskey, who is wanted by Germany for an IRA
mortar attack on a British army barracks last summer.
On Thursday, April 10, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu holds talks with representatives of the European
Union at The Hague.
On Friday, April 11, the British garrison in Hong Kong closes
down HMS Tamar Hong Kong naval base on Stonecutters' Island,
a milestone in Britain's military withdrawal ahead of Hong
Kong's July 1 takeover by China.
On Saturday, April 12, Pope John Paul is scheduled to visit
Sarajevo.
On Sunday, April 13, parliamentary elections are scheduled to
kick off Mali's second national elections since advent of
democracy in 1992.
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On this day
In 1118, Pope Gelasius II excommunicated Henry V, Holy Roman
Emperor, at Capua.
In 1348, Prague University, the first in central Europe, was
founded by Charles IV, King of Bohemia.
In 1739, Dick Turpin, English highwayman, was hanged for
murder at York. Before turning into a highwayman, he was a
butcher's apprentice.
In 1823, French forces under Louis de Bourbon invaded Spain,
beginning the Franco-Spanish war.
In 1831, Pedro I of Brazil abdicated in favor of his son
Pedro II in order to return to Portugal.
In 1862, in the U.S. civil war, the Federal army under Grant
defeated the Confederates under Albert Johnston at the Battle
of Shiloh near Pittsburgh Landing. Johnston was killed during
the battle.
In 1934, in India, Mahatma Gandhi suspended his campaign of
civil disobedience.
In 1939, Italian troops began their invasion of Albania.
In 1943, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini met for an Axis
conference in Salzburg.
In 1945, U.S. navy aircraft sank Japan's largest battleship,
the Yamato.
In 1948, the constitution of the World Health Organization
came into force.
In 1953, Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden was elected Secretary
General of the United Nations by 57 votes to one.
In 1963, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was
established with Marshall Tito as its president for life.
In 1970, U.S. court confirmed it had closed the investigation
of Sen. Edward Kennedy over the car crash in which Mary Jo
Kopechne died at Chappaquiddick in 1969.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter broke off diplomatic
relations with Iran and ordered out all Iranian embassy staff
because of the detention of U.S. embassy hostages in Tehran.
In 1981, voters approved a new constitution in the
Philippines, giving President Marcos sweeping powers.
In 1990, the Scandinavian Star, a Bahamas-registered ferry
operated by the Da No Line, caught fire while on a journey
between Norway and Denmark; 158 people were killed.
In 1994, Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana was
killed as troops, presidential guards, police and gangs of
youths rampaged through the capital Kigali in a chaotic orgy
of bloodletting.
In 1994, Israel indefinitely sealed off the occupied West
bank and Gaza Strip, banning Palestinians from entering
Israel-proper and East Jerusalem after two Arab guerrilla
attacks.
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Newslink
After months of construction, the Vatican's Web site is
finally complete. Log into the more than 1,200 church
documents and transcripts of the pope's speeches in six
languages be clicking here.
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Holidays and more
Today is Mother's Day in Armenia.
It's Easter Monday in Mali.
Today is Women's Day in Mozambique.
It's National Mourning Day in Rwanda.
Today is the Sham El Nassim in the Sudan.
It's the Chakri Day observance in Thailand.
Filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is 58.
Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Tony Dorsett is 43.
Author Daniel Ellsberg is 66.
Actor James Garner is 69.
Singer John Oates is 49.
Actor Wayne Rogers is 64.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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