Dashed left edge = started before January 1997 ·
Dashed right edge = ongoing beyond January 1997
Events in January 1997 9
1912 – 1997Prince BertilThe Engine PrinceA beloved royal who waited decades to marry his commoner love to ensure the succession.
1944 – 1997Townes Van Zandt (1944-1997)Died 1 January 1997, aged 52Townes Van Zandt was an American singer-songwriter whose songs, including Pancho and Lefty, were covered by numerous country and folk artists. Though he achieved little mainstream commercial success in his lifetime, he is regarded as one of the most influential songwriters of his generation. He died in Smyrna, Tennessee, on New Year's Day.
1997Australian Open 1997Men: Pete Sampras · Women: Martina HingisHingis won aged 16.
19971997: Jacques VilleneuveWilliamsCanadian Villeneuve, son of the legendary Gilles Villeneuve, won the title after Schumacher was disqualified from the championship for deliberately colliding with him at the final race at Jerez.
1997Broadway Debut in SkylightMade his Broadway debut in David Hare's Skylight, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.
1997Tearing the SilencePublished Tearing the Silence: On Being German in America, a nonfiction work based on interviews with over 200 German Americans born during or just after the Nazi era, exploring the shame and silence they inherited.
1997 – 1998Tomorrow Never Dies and Apt PupilPlayed Admiral Kelly in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) and a Jewish concentration camp survivor in Bryan Singer's Apt Pupil (1998), demonstrating his range from authority figures to victims.
199715th Elfstedentocht — most recent editionWinner: Henk Angenent — 6h 49mThe most recent official Elfstedentocht was held on 4 January 1997 with 16,731 participants. Henk Angenent won in 6 hours and 49 minutes in a dramatic final sprint. Klasina Seinstra was the first woman to finish. Climate change has since prevented another edition. The Dutch remain hopeful and watchful every cold winter.
1997 – presentEgan BernalThe ZipaFirst Latin American to win the Tour de France (2019).