On this day
Revisit the music, news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
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The House ethics committee decided not to proceed with any action against Speaker Newt Gingrich until after the election of a speaker for the new session. That means House members will vote without a complete review of the ethics charges against Mr. Gingrich. Article, page 15.
New year promises to be one of most turbulent ever for hospitals and health insurers in New York State, as new law takes effect lifting price controls on hospitals and forcing them to compete in increasingly cutthroat health care market; health care experts are awed by magnitude of transition under way and reluctant to make predictions on its outcome; say that patients should not be affected by the turmoil for the moment, but that over time, the overhaul will push more patients into HMO's and help cut insurance premiums (M)
Marxist rebels allow cameramen and photographers to enter Japanese Ambassador's residence in Lima, Peru, where they film and interview rebels and some of remaining hostages; guerrillas of Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement then free Honduran Ambassador, Jose Eduardo Martell, and Argentine Consul Gen, Juan Antonio Ibanez; releases leave 81 hostages in residence; photos (M)
Comment on emotional, bitter rivalry between Florida and Florida State football teams, which are meeting in Sugar Bowl, New Orleans; photo (L)
Slight Delay in Hebron Deal Israeli and Palestinian leaders all but clinched a deal on Hebron, but a critical Israeli budget debate put off their final meeting. Page 10. Stocks Stumble at Finish The stock market ended a record-breaking year with a whimper, as the Dow Jones industrial average tumbled 101.1 points. Page 65. More Problems for Cowboys The Dallas police said a woman has accused a Cowboy receiver, Michael Irvin, of pointing a gun at her while a teammate raped her. Page 55.
Music on My Birthday
The Top 50 albums for the chart week of January 1, 1997, covering January 1, 1997.
No Doubt
Celine Dion
Soundtrack
Bush
Soundtrack
Noah Kahan, American singer-songwriter[†]
Noah Kahan is an American singer-songwriter who signed with Republic Records in 2017. His breakthrough single, "Hurt Somebody", achieved gold status in the United States and charted in multiple international markets. The single and EP of the same name preceded the release of his debut album, Busyhead (2019). Within five years two more albums followed: I Was / I Am (2021) and Stick Season (2022), the second of which went on to be his mainstream commercial breakthrough and led to his nomination in 2023 for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
Keegan Hipgrave, Australian rugby league player[†]
Keegan Hipgrave is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who last played as a second-row forward and lock for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL. He since retired from rugby league after five years playing first grade.
Gonzalo Montiel, Argentine footballer[†]
Gonzalo Ariel Montiel is an Argentine professional footballer who plays as right-back for the Argentine Primera División club River Plate and the Argentina national team.
1997Townes Van Zandt, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (born 1944)[†]
John Townes Van Zandt was an American singer-songwriter. He wrote numerous songs, such as "Pancho and Lefty", "For the Sake of the Song", "If I Needed You", "Snake Mountain Blues", "Our Mother the Mountain", "Waitin' Round to Die", and "To Live's to Fly". His musical style has often been described as melancholic and features rich, poetic lyrics. During his early years, Van Zandt was respected for his guitar playing and fingerpicking ability.
In 1997, the world population was approximately 5,924,787,816 people[†]