1996 in History

Foday Sankoh signs peace agreement with the Sierra Leone government

Government and RUF sign the Abidjan Peace Accord

Initiated in Dayton, Ohio on November 21, 1995 the full formal agreement is signed in Paris

Leads the ADFL rebellion against Mobutu.

Receives the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award.

The government announced Agenda Venezuela, introducing exchange-rate, fiscal, and price reforms supported by international lenders.

Bin Laden leaves Sudan and returns to Afghanistan

Appoints Alexander Lebed Secretary of the Security Council after the first round of the presidential election.

Dismisses Security Council Secretary Alexander Lebed after growing rivalry inside the presidential administration.

Becomes political leader of the AFDL coalition challenging Mobutu's rule in eastern Zaire.

Taliban supporters proclaim Omar Amir of the Faithful during a gathering in Kandahar.

Captured by the Taliban

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announces that the liberal Awami League of Hasina Wajed won 126 seats, the centrist National Party 103 seats, and the Jatiya Party 28

Faces rebellion in eastern Zaire involving Banyamulenge forces.

Moves to Barcelona with Bobby Robson and works as an assistant coach at Camp Nou.

Burrows leads Hubble observations showing a warp in the Beta Pictoris dust disk consistent with gravitational influence from an unseen planet.

Dupree helps produce Hubble's first direct image resolving the surface of a star other than the Sun, revealing Betelgeuse's ultraviolet hot spot.

Directs Beyond Silence.

A bomb rips through a US military housing complex near Dhahran Saudi Arabia killing 19 Americans

The IRA bombing of the Docklands ends their ceasefire

Three people are feared dead & eight have been hurt after a bomb exploded on a double decker bus in the heart of London's West End. The explosion comes just nine days after the IRA ended its ceasefire with a bombing in the Docklands area of London, which killed two people

Interrupts Michael Jackson's Earth Song performance at the Brit Awards in a widely reported stage protest.

Malik Meraj Khalid leads the caretaker government before the 1997 election.

The explosion comes just nine days after the IRA ended its ceasefire with a bombing in the Docklands area of London, which killed two people

The IRA bombing of the Docklands ends their ceasefire

Announces a programme seeking a ceasefire, phased troop withdrawals and negotiations over the Chechen conflict.

Bertrand Osborne becomes Chief Minister after the 1996 election

Jehangir Karamat becomes Chief of Army Staff and later resigns from the post in 1998.

China conducts its final nuclear test before announcing a testing moratorium.

Reaffirms the Government's commitment to a politically impartial home civil service.

Restores elected civilian presidency after NPRC military rule

Kabbah is sworn in as civilian president after military rule

Suede's Coming Up enters the UK albums chart at number one and renews the band's commercial momentum.

Scores a celebrated solo goal after running from inside his own half against Compostela.

Lukashenko calls a national referendum to obtain power to disband the legislature and extend his term of office from 5 to 7 years

An 88-member legislative body, the Palestinian Legislative Council, is elected

The new constitution replaces the interim constitution

Presidential powers under the Eighth Amendment end Bhutto's second government.

I participates in constitutional reform connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.

The Convention on Nuclear Safety enters into force, strengthening the international nuclear safety framework.

Undergoes successful coronary artery bypass surgery in Moscow and later resumes presidential duties.

Idriss Deby wins 70% of the vote, he defeats Abdelkader Wadal Kamougue, a southern leader who led coup in 1975

The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

Rwanda increasingly views the refugee camps as a security threat.

Assumes management of daily state affairs after King Fahd's illness.

Supports government continuity during Crown Prince Abdullah's regency.

Alija Izetbegovic begins the post-Dayton collective Presidency as chairman

A statement in the Commons suggests BSE in cattle could be dangerous to human health

Leaves Genesis to focus on solo work, film music and other projects.

Benazir Bhutto leaves office after President Leghari dismisses her cabinet.

Yeltsin dismisses Lebed as Secretary of the Security Council, because he had used it as a platform to attempt to become Russias strongman

The President of the Bosnian Serb Republic Biljana Plavsic dismisses Mladic from his post

Dismissed after a vote of no confidence

President Leghari dismisses Benazir Bhutto's second government.

Hosts the European Council as leaders negotiate monetary rules and treaty reform.

Supports the Presidency draft that becomes an important basis for the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Supports agreement on key elements of the Stability and Growth Pact for monetary union.

Supports the Dublin agreement on the essential elements of the Stability and Growth Pact for monetary union.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees return toward Rwanda.

Rwanda and Uganda increasingly support anti-Mobutu forces.

Wins the first Palestinian presidential election.

Elected President of the Palestine Authority

Appointed President of the Palestine Authority

Sharif returns to power in February 1997 with such a huge majority that the result is immediately questioned by Bhuttos Pakistan Peoples Party, Sharif won by obtaining 90 percent of the national votes cast. Serves as leader of the opposition while Nawaz Sharif becomes Prime Minister for the next three years. After being dismissed by the then-president of Pakistan on charges of corruption, Bhuttos party loses the October elections

Labour wins the Staffs South East byelection reducing the Government majority to 3

Elected President of Zambia

The DYP win 19% of the vote, 2% less than the winning Islamist Welfare Party

The DYP win 19% of the vote, 2% less than the winning Islamist Welfare Party

Idriss Deby leads 15 candidates in the upcoming first multiparty elections

Idriss Deby wins 70% of the vote, he defeats Abdelkader Wadal Kamougue, a southern leader who led coup in 1975

Yeltsins re-election hinges on co-opting the support of the third placed Aleksandr Lebed (a retired General who receives 14.5% of the vote)

Wins 45% in the first round of the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Khakasiya

Winner of the 2nd round of the Presidential elections on Khakasiya with 71.0%

The Peoples Party wins 6 out of 9 elected seats in a 30 member Parliament

Winner of the Presidential & Parliamentary elections with 57.4% of the vote

Winner of the Presidential election with 53.8% of the vote

Elected President of Bulgaria

Wins 1st direct Presidential election with a victory of 54% of the popular vote

Violence in Bangladesh kept the election turnout to about 15%. Opposition leaders filed no candidates and claimed that the results showed that Prime Minister Zia had lost authority to rule

The Election Commission of Bangladesh announces that the liberal Awami League of Hasina Wajed won 126 seats, the centrist National Party 103 seats, and the Jatiya Party 28

Despite suffering a heart attack in June, Yeltsin wins a 2nd term in office, defeating communist Gennady Zyuganov by 13 points in the national election

Brings third-place candidate Alexander Lebed into his administration between the two rounds of the presidential election.

Ahmad Tejan Kabbah wins presidential election during the civil war

The Second Klaus Government ends in Prague, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Czech Republic.

The Third Gro Harlem Brundtland Government ends in Oslo, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Norway.

Makes his England debut in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying victory over Moldova.

Helps broker arrangements governing the legal transition to the future single currency.

Rabbani's government withdraws from Kabul as Taliban forces enter the capital.

The Taliban exiles President Rabbani and executes Najibullah

Captured by the Taliban

Yasser Arafat returns to Gaza after 27 years

Begins Ireland's fifth Council Presidency with monetary union and treaty reform as major priorities.

Little manages Villa to a 3-0 League Cup final victory over Leeds United.

Galileo makes its first close pass of Callisto, mapping the moon's ancient cratered surface.

Galileo makes its first targeted close flyby of Europa and images its fractured icy terrain.

Galileo makes the first of its close Ganymede encounters during its Jupiter orbital mission.

Finishes first in the opening round of the presidential election but falls short of an outright majority.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee becomes Prime Minister for the first time but resigns after thirteen days.

Hosts the European Council concluding Italy's presidency and reviewing the first stage of treaty-reform negotiations.

Represents Greece as leaders review progress in institutional reform and enlargement.

I participates in foreign policy connected with Jordanian political and historical developments.

Appointed Foreign Minister

Appointed Foreign Minister

Appointed Foreign Minister

Appointed Foreign Minister

Appointed Foreign Minister

Appointed Foreign Minister in a new coalition Government

Appointed Foreign Minister

France conducts its final nuclear test before ending nuclear explosive testing.

Dodgy's Free Peace Sweet reaches number seven on the UK albums chart.

Galileo data establish Ganymede as the first moon known to possess its own magnetic field.

Forms a Government of DYP & Motherland Party with Yilmaz as Prime Minister

Appointed Secretary of Labour

Appointed Secretary of Energy

Appointed Secretary of Transport

Answers Commons questions on arrangements for coordinating Government business during the summer recess.

Leghari dissolves the National Assembly and appoints a caretaker administration.

Mobutu's government mobilises against the expanding Alliance of Democratic Forces for Liberation.

Appointed Governor of Louisiana

Appointed Governor of the Falkland Islands

Appointed Governor of General of St Kitts

Kula Shaker enter the UK Top Forty with Grateful When You're Dead during their rapid 1996 breakthrough.

Takes power after removing Valentine Strasser from the NPRC leadership

Has an orchiectomy to remove the diseased testicle, asked in an interview what Armstrongs chances are, Dr. Reeves, the surgeon, says "Almost none. We told Lance initially 20 to 50% chance, mainly to give him hope. But with the kind of cancer he had, with the x-rays, the blood tests, almost no hope."

Armstrongs last chemotherapy treatment

Yelstin undergoes successful quintuple heart bypass surgery, performed by American heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey

Williams directs the Hubble Deep Field program, combining hundreds of exposures into an unprecedented deep view containing thousands of galaxies.

Ieng Sary defects and receives amnesty

Sworn in as Governor of Autralia

Sworn in as President of Haiti

Sworn in as President of the Republic of China

Sworn in as Prime Minister of Thailand, member of the New Aspiration Party

Proclaims the opening of the Padania, the "Parliament of the North"

Proclaims the independence of Padania, northern Italian states, in Venice

Proclaims the opening of the Padania, the "Parliament of the North"

The government enacts the INRA Law governing land reform and property regularisation.

The explosion comes just nine days after the IRA ended its ceasefire with a bombing in the Docklands area of London, which killed two people

The IRA bombing of the Docklands ends their ceasefire

Government record concerning the IRA: The IRA bombing of the Docklands ends their ceasefire

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: The IRA bombing of the Docklands ends their ceasefire

IRA context for John Roy Major: The IRA bombing of the Docklands ends their ceasefire

Government record concerning the IRA: Three people are feared dead & eight have been hurt after a bomb exploded on a double decker bus in the heart of London's West End. The explosion comes just nine days after the IRA ended its ceasefire with a bombing in the Docklands area of London, which killed two people

Historical IRA record under Conservative Party Government: Three people are feared dead & eight have been hurt after a bomb exploded on a double decker bus in the heart of London's West End. The explosion comes just nine days after the IRA ended its ceasefire with a bombing in the Docklands area of London, which killed two people

IRA context for John Roy Major: Three people are feared dead & eight have been hurt after a bomb exploded on a double decker bus in the heart of London's West End. The explosion comes just nine days after the IRA ended its ceasefire with a bombing in the Docklands area of London, which killed two people

The Taliban seize Kabul and establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

The Taliban names the state the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan after taking Kabul.

Coaches Juventus to a penalty-shootout victory over defending champions Ajax.

Rejoins Yes for the Keys to Ascension concert and studio project.

Authorizes negotiations that produce the Khasavyurt agreements ending large-scale fighting in the First Chechen War.

Performs with Oasis at Knebworth during two landmark concerts that symbolise the commercial peak of mid-1990s Britpop.

Ladykillers reaches the UK Top Thirty and becomes one of Lush's most prominent Britpop-era singles.

Signs the Communications Decency Act, attempts to regulate both indecency (when available to children) and obscenity in cyberspace

Signs the Telecom Reform Act, Congress forces local telephone companies to share their lines with competitors at regulated rates

Signs the Minimum wage Increase Act

Clinton signs the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, which includes time limits for welfare, work requirements, and assistance for people transitioning to work

Catatonia's Lost Cat reaches the UK singles chart during the band's early breakthrough period.

Lush's Lovelife reaches number eight on the UK albums chart.

Appointed manager of Leeds United

Robson takes over at Barcelona, where once again his assistant is Mourinho, Robson had made Mourinhos move with him to Camp Nou a condition of his employment

The manifesto entitled New Labour is endorsed by Conference

Dianna is no longer married to the Prince of Wales, and so has ceased to be a Royal by-marriage, Diana loses the style Her Royal Highness and instead was styled, as Diana, Princess of Wales

Their divorce is finalised, Diana receives a lump sum settlement of around œ17,000,000 along with a legal order preventing her from discussing the details.

Under Elizabeth IIs Letters Patent, a divorced wife of a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland "shall not be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness.".

Under Elizabeth IIs Letters Patent, a divorced wife of a Prince of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland "shall not be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of Royal Highness."

Signs an agreement making Chile an associate member of Mercosur.

Wins the Mercury Music Prize with Pulp for Different Class.

Appointed Minister of Finance

Appointed Minister of Finance

Appointed Minister of the Interior

Appointed Minister of the Interior

Moseley Shoals enters the UK albums chart and peaks at number two.

Remaining forces fragment into rival factions

Appointed Emir, spiritual ruler

The manifesto entitled New Labour is endorsed by Conference

From the Taliban conquest of Kabul in September 1996 until November 2001 the United Front controlled roughly 30% of Afghanistans population in provinces such as Badakhshan, Kapisa, Takhar and parts of Parwan, Kunar, Nuristan, Laghman, Samangan, Kunduz, Ghr and Bamyan

France carries out a nuclear test equivalent to approximately 120,000 tonnes of conventional explosives, six times the force of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima

Chirac announces an end to nuclear tests, accedes to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Mansun's One EP enters the UK Top Forty during the band's breakthrough year.

Palestinian protests and clashes create one of the first major security crises after Oslo Two

Netanyahu becomes Prime Minister while criticising aspects of Oslo but continuing parts of implementation

Julius Maada Bio removes Valentine Strasser and takes control of the NPRC

Wins the first Palestinian Authority presidential election as voters also choose the Palestinian Legislative Council.

Becomes the first speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, helping institutionalize Palestinian Authority governance.

Palestinian elections are held under Oslo arrangements and Abbas remains a senior PLO figure

Palestinians vote for the Palestinian Authority presidency and council under Oslo arrangements

Arafat is elected President of the Palestinian Authority in elections provided for by the Oslo framework

Works on negotiations under the new Palestinian Authority.

The Hubble surface map confirms a dark equatorial belt and bright polar regions on Pluto.

Hubble results produce the first image-based surface map of Pluto, revealing about a dozen major bright and dark regions.

Hubble observations indicate Pluto's surface patterns are strongly influenced by migrating nitrogen and methane frosts.

Challenges President Wasmosy during a military political crisis.

Appointed Premier of Newfoundland.

Momcilo Krajisnik becomes Serb member of the collective Presidency

Kresimir Zubak becomes Croat member of the collective Presidency

Appointed President of Ecuador

Appointed President of Ecuador

Appointed President of Switzerland

Sworn in as President after winning the 1996 election

Defeats Iliescu in a peaceful transfer of power.

Mugabe wins another presidential term after opposition candidates withdraw or boycott.

Mugabe wins another six-year presidential term.

Hekmatyar again becomes prime minister under a renewed agreement with Rabbani.

Appointed Prime Minister of Angola, 3rd term

Appointed Prime Minister of Bangladesh

Appointed Prime Minister of Bosnia & Herzogovinia

Appointed Prime Minister of Comoros

Is appointed Prime Minister and begins an economic reform programme.

Konstantinos Simitis is selected to succeed Andreas Papandreou as Prime Minister.

H.D. Deve Gowda becomes Prime Minister at the head of the United Front coalition.

Appointed Prime Minister of Japan

Appointed Prime Minister of Jordan

Appointed Prime Minister of Mauritania

Appointed Prime Minister of Norway

Appointed Prime Minister of Poland

Ciorbea forms a reform-oriented coalition government.

Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey

Appointed Prime Minister of Turkey, 2nd term

Hasan Muratovic becomes Prime Minister during the post-Dayton transition

Perform Quadrophenia at Hyde Park.

Scores from a tight angle to put Juventus ahead against Ajax in Rome.

Announces his campaign for a second presidential term while his approval ratings remain low.

"Real Love," a 1979 John Lennon demo finished in 1995 by the other Beatles, becomes the second new Beatles single to chart in less than three months. It is released as part of The Beatles Anthology recordings and TV special

When Mobutu issues an order forcing Tutsis to leave Zaire on penalty of death, they erupt in rebellion

Lukashenko calls a national referendum to obtain power to disband the legislature and extend his term of office from 5 to 7 years

Clinton signs the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, which includes time limits for welfare, work requirements, and assistance for people transitioning to work

Confronts armed ex-FAR and militia based in eastern Zaire.

Is formally registered as an independent candidate for re-election as Russian president.

Papandreou resigns as Prime Minister because of serious illness.

Resigns as Finance Minister

Resigns with his cabinet after nearly ten years as Prime Minister.

Resigns as the Prime Minister of Bosnia & Herzogovinia

Resigns as Prime Minister of Poland

Announces his resignation

Announces his resignation

Erbakan & Ciller force Yilmazs resignation

Resumes presidential authority after the successful heart bypass operation.

Is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognising his influence on rock, pop and visual performance.

Is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Velvet Underground.

Constantinescu defeats Ion Iliescu in the presidential election.

The IAEA begins routine environmental sampling at declared nuclear facilities as a strengthened safeguards measure.

Signs an integration agreement with Belarus creating a Community of Russia and Belarus.

Rwandan-backed forces attack refugee camps in eastern Zaire.

Rwanda and Uganda provide major military support.

Sale of the Century reaches number ten on the UK singles chart, giving Sleeper a Top Ten hit.

Galileo makes another close Ganymede encounter, passing much nearer the surface than during its first targeted flyby.

Defeats Communist challenger Gennady Zyuganov in the second round and wins a second presidential term.

Takes the oath for a second presidential term after defeating Gennady Zyuganov.

Yeltsin appoints Lebed as Secretary of the powerful Security Council

Appointed Secretary of State for Commerce

Appointed Minister of Defence

Appointed Minister of Defence

Appointed Minister of Defence

Otasevic begins serving as Bolivia's minister responsible for national defence.

Appointed Minister of Defence

Appointed Minister of Defence

Appointed Foreign Minister

The Taliban with military support by Pakistan and financial support by Saudi Arabia, prepared for another major offensive against the capital Kabul, Massoud orders a full retreat from the city

The Taliban seize Kabul and establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

Wrapped in the cloak of the Prophet & proclaimed Emir, spiritual ruler. The Taliban, under the leadership of Mullah Muhammad Omar, seizes control of Kabul and implements a strict interpretation of Islamic law

Kabul falls to the Taliban

The President of the Bosnian Serb Republic Biljana Plavsic dismisses Mladic from his post

Answers Commons questions on the potential impact of European monetary union on UK competitiveness.

Single Girl reaches the UK Top Thirty as Lush move toward the brighter pop sound of Lovelife.

Slight Return reaches number two on the UK singles chart and becomes The Bluetones' signature hit.

Pulp's Something Changed reaches number ten on the UK singles chart.

Works on Bobby Robson's Barcelona staff as the club wins the Spanish Super Cup.

Hosts G7 leaders for a summit focused on nuclear safety and holds bilateral talks with Bill Clinton.

Helps secure political agreement on the fiscal framework accompanying the euro.

Band infighting and rumoured cocaine abuse led to his departure from The Stone Roses on April Fools Day 1996

Attends a summit supporting the peace process after attacks threaten negotiations.

Catatonia enter the UK singles chart with Sweet Catatonia as the Welsh band's national profile begins to grow.

The Taliban with military support by Pakistan and financial support by Saudi Arabia, prepared for another major offensive against the capital Kabul, Massoud orders a full retreat from the city

The Taliban seize Kabul and establish the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Kabul falls to the Taliban

The Taliban exiles President Rabbani and executes Najibullah

Mohammad Rabbani heads the Taliban's governing council in Kabul under Mullah Omar's authority.

Tattva becomes Kula Shaker's first major UK Top Ten hit.

Temporarily transfers presidential powers to Viktor Chernomyrdin while undergoing heart surgery.

The Circle reaches number six on the UK singles chart, extending Ocean Colour Scene's successful 1996 run.

The Day We Caught the Train reaches number four on the UK singles chart.

The Riverboat Song reaches the UK Top Twenty and begins Ocean Colour Scene's major 1996 breakthrough.

Begins the Third Klaus Government in Prague and serves as Prime Minister of Czech Republic.

Begins the Thorbjørn Jagland Government in Oslo and serves as Prime Minister of Norway.

Leads the military government during the transition to elected civilian rule

de Charette helps back the Nordic accessions that extend Schengen cooperation across northern Europe. French officials link border removal with operational law-enforcement cooperation.

In Belgium, Dehaene leads Belgium as Denmark, Finland and Sweden sign agreements joining Schengen. Belgium supports wider participation while preserving practical security cooperation.

Derycke helps back the Nordic accessions that extend Schengen cooperation across northern Europe. The Belgian approach combines mobility with common visa and policing rules.

In France, Juppe leads France as Denmark, Finland and Sweden sign agreements joining Schengen. France supports mobility alongside common visa and security arrangements.

Kinkel helps back the Nordic accessions that extend Schengen cooperation across northern Europe. German officials emphasise reliable information-sharing between national authorities.

In Germany, Kohl leads Germany as Denmark, Finland and Sweden sign agreements joining Schengen. Germany supports freer travel alongside common security and visa rules.

In Netherlands, Kok leads Netherlands as Denmark, Finland and Sweden sign agreements joining Schengen. The Netherlands links free movement with practical law-enforcement cooperation.

van Mierlo helps back the Nordic accessions that extend Schengen cooperation across northern Europe. Dutch officials favour shared information systems alongside open internal borders.

Paris agrees to a 10-year compensation package for French Polynesia to rectify some of the damage caused by the programme of nuclear testing. Chirac announces an end to nuclear tests, accedes to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty

Opens a tunnel exit near the Western Wall, triggering Israeli-Palestinian clashes.

Hosts the special European Council that opens the intergovernmental conference to revise Maastricht.

Represents Greece as the intergovernmental conference opens negotiations that later produce the Amsterdam Treaty.

Chirac participated in launching negotiations that produced the Amsterdam Treaty.

Participates as the intergovernmental conference opens negotiations that later produce the Treaty of Amsterdam.

Represents Greek diplomacy at the opening of treaty-reform negotiations.

Mansun's Two EP reaches the UK Top Forty as the Chester band builds a national following.

The United Nations General Assembly adopts the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.

Signs the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty on the day it opens for signature.

Captains Juventus as the club defeats Ajax on penalties to become European champions.

Walkaway reaches number nine on the UK singles chart, giving Cast a major Britpop-era hit.

Leads a Commons motion opposing a proposed windfall tax on privatised utilities.

You've Got It Bad becomes a UK Top Ten single during Ocean Colour Scene's breakthrough year.

Death of Carl Edward Sagan

Death of Francois Mitterand

Death of Francois Mitterrand

Death of Gene Kelly

Death of Marcello Mastroianni

Former President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy dies.

Death of Spiro Agnew

Death of Tommy Lawton

Death of William Egan Colby