Tuesday, September 16, 1997
Today's events
The United Nations General Assembly's 52nd session is scheduled to open in New York.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi is scheduled to visit Kazakhstan.
The first NATO accession talks with Poland are expected to take place in Brussels.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is scheduled to meet with Pakistan
Muslim League party workers in Islamabad.
China's Ministry of Justice and Legal Work Committee of
National People's Congress is expected to hold a news briefing on China's democratic and legal systems in Beijing.
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On the horizon
On Wednesday, September 17, the 28th South Pacific Forum is scheduled to be held in Australia's Cook Islands.
On Thursday, September 18, the devolution referendum for Wales is scheduled to take place, with Wales voting on whether to give the country independent rule within United Kingdom.
On Friday, September 19, a new anti-smoking law is scheduled to take effect in Taiwan, with fines administered for smoking in public areas.
On Saturday, September 20, Czech President Vaclav Havel is scheduled to visit Jordan.
On Sunday, September 21, Serbia is scheduled to hold presidential elections.
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On this day
In 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Southampton, England.
In 1810, Mexico issued the Grito de Dolores, which called for
the end of Spanish rule. Mexican Independence Day celebrates
this event.
In 1859, Lake Nyasa, which forms Malawi's boundary with
Tanzania and Mozambique, was discovered by British explorer
David Livingstone.
In 1931, Libyan nationalist leader Omar Mukhtar was captured
and executed by Italian forces.
In 1940, President Roosevelt signed the Selective Service Bill
which made all Americans between 21 and 35 liable to be called
for military service.
In 1941, the Shah of Iran, Reza Khan Pahlavi, abdicated in
favor of the Crown prince Mohammed Reza.
In 1945, the last remnants of the Japanese army in Hong Kong
surrendered to the British under Admiral Harcourt.
In 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was formed out of a
marriage of Malaya, Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah. These
territories were formerly under British rule.
In 1966, the new Metropolitan Opera House at the Lincoln
Center in New York opened with Samuel Barber's "Antony and
Cleopatra."
In 1975, Papua New Guinea gained full independence from
Australia.
In 1976, the Episcopalian Church in the United States approved
the ordination of women priests and bishops.
In 1978, 25,000 people were killed in Iran by an earthquake
which measured between 7.5 and 7.9 on the Richter scale. It
leveled the town of Tabas and many other villages.
In 1990, the mayor of Nice, Jacques Medecin, announced his
resignation and brought to an end a right-wing dynasty which
started in 1928. He had been accused of embezzlement and racism.
In 1991, liberals scored a resounding victory in first direct
elections to Hong Kong's legislature, saying their triumph sent
a clear message to China that the people wanted more democracy.
In 1992, Britain announced it was withdrawing from the
European Exchange Rate Mechanism.
In 1994, British Prime Minister John Major lifted media
restrictions on Sinn Fein, the political wing of the IRA.
In 1996, Romania and Hungary signed a treaty to end a
centuries-old rift between the two neighbors and help them join
NATO and the European Union.
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Newslink
The Food and Drug Administration recalled two popular diet drugs, Redux, known chemically as dexfenfluramine, and Pondimin, also known as fenfluramine. To find out more about the recalls, click here.
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Holidays and more
Today is Thanksgiving Day in Korea.
Malaysia celebrates Yang DiPertua Negeri's birthday.
Mexico celebrates its Independence Day.
It's Independence Day in Papua New Guinea.
Sri Lanka celebrates Binara Full Moon Poya Day.
Its the Mid-Autumn Festival in Taiwan.
Actress Lauren Bacall is 73.
Actor Ed Begley, Jr. is 48.
Illusionist David Copperfield is 41.
Musician Charlie Byrd is 72.
Baseball player Oral Hershiser IV is 39.
Singer B.B. King is 72.
Baseball player Timothy Raines is 38.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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