- Death of Princess Diana: The tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana, Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul, on August 31, 1997, shocked the world. The outpouring of grief and public mourning following Diana's death made global headlines.
- Cloning of Dolly the Sheep: In February, scientists in Scotland announced the successful cloning of a sheep named Dolly, marking the first cloned mammal from an adult cell. This breakthrough in genetic engineering stirred ethical debates and concerns about the potential impact of cloning technology.
- Hong Kong Handover to China: On July 1, 1997, the United Kingdom officially transferred sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, ending over 150 years of British colonial rule. The handover marked a significant milestone in modern Chinese history.
- Asian Financial Crisis: Starting in July, the Asian financial crisis, commonly referred to as the "Asian Contagion," erupted, triggered by the devaluation of the Thai baht. It spread throughout East Asia, leading to financial turmoil, currency devaluation, and economic recession in many countries in the region.
- Death of Mother Teresa: On September 5, Mother Teresa, the renowned Roman Catholic nun and missionary, passed away in Kolkata, India. Known for her charitable work and commitment to the poor and destitute, Mother Teresa's passing was deeply felt by people around the world.
- United Kingdom General Election: In May, the Labour Party, led by Tony Blair, won a historic landslide victory in the United Kingdom general election, defeating the Conservative Party that had been in power for 18 years. Tony Blair became the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
- Space Shuttle Columbia's Maiden Flight: On April 12, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-83, marking the maiden flight of the newly modified orbiter. The mission was dedicated to conducting microgravity experiments and deploying several satellites.
- First International Space Station Modules Launched: On November 20, Russia launched the Zarya module, and on December 4, the United States launched the Unity module. These two modules became the first components of the International Space Station, ushering in an era of international cooperation in space exploration.
These events from 1997 continue to resonate and hold significant historical importance, shaping global trends, politics, science, and culture in profound ways.