Earthquakes characterised this month with the largest the 8.2 earthquake struck the Irian Jaya (Papua) region of Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami.
The first genetically modified, or GM, food went on sale in British supermarkets and The ‘Irish Troubles’ resumed as a bomb exploded in Docklands area of London, ending the 17-month ceasefire.
Some famous and significant people died this month; W.R. Lee, a distinguished language teacher, Bob Shaw, a prominent Irish science fiction writer, Jeffrey Kindersley a pioneering British test pilot, John Aymer Dalrymple, 13th Earl of Stair and Toru Takemitsu, a renowned Japanese composer.
Elsewhere, NASA successfully launched the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) on this day to conduct comprehensive scientific studies of the sun.
Soyuz TM-23 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome with the cosmonauts for Mir Principle Expedition 21 and successfully returned later.
Space shuttle Columbia 19 (STS 75) launches into orbit but a catastrophe took place during the launching of the Chinese Long March 3B (Chang Zheng 3B) rocket with much loss of civilian life and property.
A tragic maritime accident occurred when a wooden ferry capsized while entering the port of Cádiz in the Philippines, with loss of 54 lives.
Birgenair Flight 301, into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Dominican Republic, with the loss of all 189 passengers and crew.
Also a devastating train collision occurred near Baltimore, Maryland, resulting in 11 fatalities.
In further acts of violence, Brothers to the Rescue planes were shot down by Cuban fighter jets and a tragic terrorist attack occurred in Israel, where two suicide bombings resulted in 25 fatalities and 80 injuries.
The Nepalese People's War officially commenced. Better news as The Bosnian government officially declares the end of the Siege of Sarajevo.
René Préval became President of Haiti, the first peaceful transfer of power since their independence in 1804.
First appearance of Pokémon in the role-playing video game "Pocket Monsters Red and Green" for Game Boy in Japan.
In sport Garry Kasparov defeats chess-playing computer Deep Blue 4-2 and there were many achievements in cricket throughout the world as Gary Kirsten scores 188* for South Africa v UAE but Rajindra Dhanraj takes 16-167 in match Trinidad v Leeward Islands
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Earthquakes were the major geological events with Asia suffering the brunt and the Yunnan Province in southwestern China a particular target. Starting with a magnitude 6.6 earthquake causing widespread destruction and significant loss of life, a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck Irian Jaya, accompanied by destructive tidal waves that killed 102 people and caused widespread devastation across the region. Finally, a powerful magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck the Irian Jaya (Papua) region of Indonesia, triggering a massive tsunami.
The first genetically modified, or GM, food went on sale in British supermarkets and British ‘boy band’ Take That officially announce that they were disbanding from Robbie Williams, prompting UK government to set up counselling phone lines.
The Irish Troubles resumed as a bomb exploded in Docklands area of London, ending the 17-month ceasefire with activist James McArdle found to have driven the Docklands truck bomb from Northern Ireland to London. He was given a long sentence but was released many years later under the ‘Good Friday’ agreement.
Some famous and significant people died this month; W.R. Lee, a distinguished language teacher with a significant career in education, passed away at the age of 84.
Bob Shaw, a prominent Irish science fiction writer known for his innovative storytelling and contributions to the genre, passed away on this day from cancer at the age of 64.
Jeffrey Kindersley Quill, OBE, AFC, FRAeS died on this day. He was a British test pilot who served on secondment with the Royal Air Force and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War.
John Aymer Dalrymple, 13th Earl of Stair KCVO MBE JP DL also passed on.
Toru Takemitsu, a renowned Japanese composer known for his innovative and influential work in contemporary classical music, also passed away on this day.
Elsewhere, NASA successfully launched the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) on this day to conduct comprehensive scientific studies of the sun.
This mission represents a significant advancement in solar research and space exploration technology. Soyuz TM-23 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome with the cosmonauts for Mir Principle Expedition 21.
Spaces shuttle Columbia 19 (STS 75) launches into orbit. Russian spacecraft Soyuz TM-23 returned from Mir space station. A catastrophe took place during the launching of the Chinese Long March 3B (Chang Zheng 3B) rocket
A tragic maritime accident occurred when a wooden ferry capsized while entering the port of Cádiz in the Philippines, resulting in the devastating loss of 54 lives.
Birgenair Flight 301, an unauthorized charter flight from the Caribbean to Germany, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the Dominican Republic, resulting in the tragic loss of all 189 passengers and crew.
A devastating train collision occurred near Baltimore, Maryland, when a Chicago-bound Amtrak train (Capitol Limited) collided with a MARC commuter train heading to Washington, D.C. The accident resulted in 11 fatalities, marking a significant transportation safety incident.
The Communications Decency Act is passed by the U.S. Congress. It was not until April 2019, that the Digital Economy Act 2017, more commonly known as ‘Porn Law’ was enforced in the UK.
This event was significant in Haiti's political history, symbolizing democratic progress and stability.
U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the ground-breaking Telecommunications Act, which dramatically deregulated the telecommunications and broadcasting markets.
Better news as The Bosnian government officially declares the end of the Siege of Sarajevo, a pivotal moment in the Bosnian War. This declaration marked a significant turning point in the conflict and represented hope for peace and reconstruction in the war-torn region
King Fahd of Saudi Arabia publicly announces his medical recovery .
Also this day, at the 46th Berlin International Film Festival: "Sense and Sensibility" won the Golden Bear Award, Walt Disney Company officially launches Disney.com.
Silicon Graphics announced a strategic cash tender offer to acquire 75 percent of Cray Research's stock at US$30 per share, with a total transaction value of US$576 million.
First appearance of Pokémon in the role-playing video game "Pocket Monsters Red and Green" for Game Boy in Japan.
William Bonin became the first person to be executed by lethal injection in the state of California, marking a significant moment in the state's criminal justice history.
American boxer Tommy Morrison announced he has contracted HIV, a diagnosis he later claimed to be false and
the 46th NBA All-Star Game took place in the , Alamodome, San Antonio, with the Eastern Conference team defeating the Western Conference team 129-118 in an exciting display of basketball talent.
Gary Kirsten scores 188* for South Africa v UAE at Rawalpindi. First cricket ODI for Netherlands national team in the World Cup v New Zealand in Vadodara; NZ won by 119 runs.
In the Cricket World Cup and the firstOne Day International against the Kenyan national team in Cuttack Sachin Tendulkar scores 127no in India's 7 wicket win.
Rajindra Dhanraj takes 9-97 for Trinidad against Leeward Islands. Rajindra Dhanraj takes 16-167 in match Trinidad v Leeward Islands Mark Waugh scores 126 in World Cup against India.
Garry Kasparov defeats chess-playing computer Deep Blue 4-2.
Elsewhere in the 38th Daytona 500, Dale Jarrett wins his 2nd Great American race ahead of Dale Earnhardt and Ken Schrader.