Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.

Historical Events in September 1997

  • Sep 1 "Doll's House" closes at Belasco Theater in New York
  • Sep 1 Cartoon Channel premieres in Japan

Telethon

Sep 1 Jerry Lewis' 32nd Muscular Dystrophy telethon raises $50,500,000

US Men's Tennis Open

Sep 1 Two-time defending US Open champion Pete Sampras has his 17-match winning streak, the 4th-longest of the Open Era in men’s singles, snapped in a 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6 loss to Petr Korda of Czech Republic

  • Sep 2 Howard Stern Radio Show premieres in Montreal Canada on CHOM 97.7 FM and in Toronto Canada on CILQ 107.1 FM
  • Sep 3 A Vietnam Airlines Tupolev TU-134 crashes on approach into Phnom Penh airport, killing 64.
  • Sep 4 14th MTV Video Music Awards: Jamiroquai, Jewel & Beck win
  • Sep 4 Howard Stern Radio Show premieres in Louisville, Kentucky on WTFX 100.5 FM
  • Sep 5 Athens in Greece, selected to host 2004 Olympics
  • Sep 5 Orioles beat Yankes 13-9 in longest 9 inning game

Event of Interest

Sep 6 Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales held at Westminster Abbey in London

  • Sep 7 The first test flight of the F-22 Raptor takes place.
  • Sep 7 US Open Men's Tennis: Patrick Rafter of Australia wins his first Grand Slam title; beats Canadian Greg Rusedski 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5

Ally McBeal

Sep 8 TV series "Ally McBeal" starring Calista Flockhart, created by David E. Kelley premieres on Fox in the US

  • Sep 9 Sinn Féin accepts Mitchell Principles on para-military disarmament
  • Sep 10 Discovery buys Travel Channel for $20 million

Baseball Record

Sep 10 Mark McGwire joins Babe Ruth as only the players to hit 50 HRs in 2 consecutive years

  • Sep 11 After a nationwide referendum, Scotland votes to establish a devolved parliament, within the United Kingdom.
  • Sep 12 NY Met John Olerud hits for the cycle
  • Sep 12 The UN passes a resolution allowing Iraq to reach the $2.14 billion oil sales limit under its oil-for-food program
  • Sep 13 22nd Toronto International Film Festival: "The Hanging Garden" directed by Thom Fitzgerald wins the People's Choice Award
  • Sep 13 Carolina Hurricane's 1st exhibition game beat NY Islanders 4-1

Candle in the Wind

Sep 13 Elton John releases single "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the UK

  • Sep 13 Elton John releases single "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" in the UK
  • Sep 13 Katherine Shindle (Ill), 24, crowned 71st Miss America 1998

Event of Interest

Sep 13 Mother Teresa's State Funeral held in India

  • Sep 14 49th Emmy Awards: Law & Order, Frasier, Dennis Franz & Gillian Anderson win
  • Sep 14 Chicago Whites Sox retire Carlton Fisk's #72
  • Sep 15 Edison Intl purchases Anaheim Stadium naming rights for $50M
  • Sep 15 Google.com is registered as a domain name

Film & TV History

Sep 15 Oprah Winfrey announces she will continue her show through 2000

  • Sep 15 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania public radio station WRTI (90.1 FM) switches from all jazz to classical-by-day/jazz-by-night format in response to loss of commercial classical station WLFN (95.7 FM); WFLN's library and several DJ's made the transition
  • Sep 16 ABL MVP Nikki McCray signs with WNBA

Appointment of Interest

Sep 16 Apple Computer Inc names co-founder Steve Jobs interim CEO

  • Sep 16 Mark McGwire signs with the St Louis Cardinals for $26M
  • Sep 17 Dr Sam Sheppard's body (Fugitive) is exhumed for DNA test
  • Sep 18 Controversial art exhibition "Sensation" featuring works by Young British Artists from the collection of Charles Saatchi opens at the Royal Academy in London

United Nations

Sep 18 Ted Turner gives $1 billion to the United Nations, creating the public charity, the United Nations Foundation

  • Sep 18 Voters in Wales vote yes (50.3%) in a referendum on Welsh autonomy
  • Sep 19 Guelb El-Kebir massacre in Algeria; 53 killed.
  • Sep 20 Yanks clinch 37th appearance in post season, 3rd consecutive
  • Sep 21 Mike Piazza is 2nd to hit a HR out of Dodger Stadium
  • Sep 21 NY Yankee Cecil Fielder hits his 300th HR
  • Sep 22 American sportcaster Marv Albert pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges
  • Sep 22 Bentalha massacre in Algeria; over 200 villagers killed
  • Sep 22 Elton John releases "Candle in the Wind 1997", a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in the US
  • Sep 23 Seattle Mariners break record for most HRs in a year (258)
  • Sep 24 Drug kingpin Ramon Arellano Felix placed on FBI's 10 most-wanted list
  • Sep 25 American sportcaster Marv Albert plea bargains in his sexual assault case
  • Sep 25 Britain's Andy Green sets jet-powered car record (714 mph)
  • Sep 25 Medical drama "ER" is performed live on TV
  • Sep 25 STS 86 (Atlantis 20) launches into orbit
  • Sep 25 WNBA announces it will add Detroit & Washington, D.C. franchises
  • Sep 26 An earthquake strikes the Italian regions of Umbria and the Marche, causing part of the Basilica of St. Francis at Assisi to collapse

Baseball Record

Sep 26 Seattle Mariner Ken Griffey Jr. hits his 56th HR of 1997

Film & TV History

Sep 28 Newscaster David Brinkley, 74, retires after 54 years in broadcasting

  • Sep 28 Ryder Cup Golf, Valderrama GC, Spain: Europe wins 14½-13½ to retain the Cup; first time event contested in continental Europe; first of 6 consecutive victories at home by Europe
  • Sep 28 St Louis Cardinals Mark McGwire hits his 58th HR of 1997 (34 with Oak A's)
  • Sep 29 Jury selection in Terry Nichols Oklahoma bombing trial begins

Life thru a Lens

Sep 29 Robbie Williams releases his first solo album "Life thru a Lens" features single "Angels"

  • Sep 30 "Too Close" single released by Next (Billboard Song of the Year, 1998)
  • Sep 30 Hooters agrees to pay $2 million in discrimination suits

Gun Buy Back Scheme

Sep 30 John Howard's Australian government gun buy back scheme ends with more than 640,000 firearms compulsorily acquired, including many newly illegal semi-automatic rifles and shotguns

  • Sep 30 Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 4

Baseball Record

Sep 30 New York Yankees Tim Raines, Derek Jeter & Paul O'Neill are 1st to hit 3 consecutively homers in post season (Yanks beat Cleveland Indians 8-6)