Thursday, October 9, 1997
Today's events
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The Norwegian Nobel Committee announces the winner of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.
Microsoft chairman Bill Gates meets Russian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Chubais in Moscow, with a news conference to follow.
The 40-nation Council of Europe holds its second summit in Strasbourg, France, to set out policies on human rights, culture and security.
The 2nd Pusan International Film Festival opens in South Korea.
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On the horizon
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On Saturday, October 11, the 23rd General Population Conference is scheduled to open in Beijing.
On Sunday, October 12, U.S. President Bill Clinton is expected to begin a visit to Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela.
On Monday, October 13, a Czech delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Karel Kovanda, is scheduled to visit NATO for the third round of talks on accession to the alliance.
On Tuesday, October 14, the Booker Prize for literature is announced in London.
On Wednesday, October 15, the winner of the 1997 Physics and Chemistry Nobel Prize is announced at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
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On this day
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In 732, following an invasion of France by Abd-er-Rahman and
a force of 65,000 Saracens, Charles Martel and a force of
Frankish infantry defeated the invaders at the battle of Tours.
In 1733, France declared war on Austrian Emperor Charles VI
after Augustus III was elected in Poland instead of the French preferred candidate Stanislav Leszczynski.
In 1911, Chinese nationalist leader Sun Yat Sen proclaimed a
Republic at Wuchang and began the revolution which overthrew the Manchu dynasty.
In 1930, three U.S. airlines merged to form Transcontinental
and Western Airlines (TWA), later TransWorld Airlines.
In 1935, "Porgy and Bess," by composer George Gershwin,
had its New York premiere.
In 1938, Germany completed its occupation of the Sudetenland
in taking part of Czechoslovakia.
In 1954, Ho Chi Minh entered Hanoi after French troops pulled out of the city following Armistice terms.
In 1965, the "Vinland Map" was introduced by Yale University
as being the first known map of America, drawn about 1440 by
Norse explorer Lief Eriksson.
In 1970, Fiji, a British colony since 1874, became an
independent member of the Commonwealth.
In 1973, U.S. Vice-President Spiro Agnew resigned after being
charged with tax evasion.
In 1975, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor married for the
second time at a remote location in Botswana. They divorced the following year.
In 1982, the United States imposed sanctions against Poland
after the Polish government banned the Solidarity trade union.
In 1993, the Seohae, a ferry overloaded with 362 people,
capsized off Puan county (135 miles south of Seoul). The boat
was licensed to carry 292. The final death toll was 292. Seventy people survived.
In 1995, Israel began its West Bank pullback and freed
hundreds of Palestinian prisoners under a deal with the
Palestine Liberation Organization; some inmates refused to go in solidarity with others left behind.
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Newslink
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Very few people, even in Europe, probably know what the Council of Europe is. This 40-member body is meeting today in France to chart at least part of the course for a new Europe. Visit the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly's home page to get a handle on what this group is really up to, and if their work has any impact on the world outside of Europe.
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Holidays and more
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Bangladesh celebrates Durga Puja.
Cuba celebrates the Beginning of the Independence Wars.
Hong Kong and Macau celebrate the Chung Yeung Festival.
Japan celebrates Health-Sports Day.
Kenya celebrates Moi Day.
Taiwan celebrates National Day.
Actor Charles Dance is 51.
Actress Jessica Harper is 48.
Philanthropist Wilhelmina Holladay is 75.
Tennis great Martina Navratilova is 41.
Director Harold Pinter is 67.
Singer David Lee Roth is 42.
Singer Tanya Tucker is 39.
Performer Ben Vereen is 51.
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Sources: Associated Press,
Chase's Calendar of Events 1997, J.P. Morgan
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