Unix Timestamp: 864345600
Friday, May 23. 1997, 12:00:00 AM UTC

Strom Thurmond becomes the longest-serving member in the history of the United States Senate (41 years and 10 months).

Mohammad Khatami won at 1997 Iranian presidential election and became first Iranian Reformist President.

A military coup in Sierra Leone replaces President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah with Major Johnny Paul Koromah.