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May 1, 1997

May 1, 1997, was a Thursday. It was 27 years, 6 months, and 23 days ago. The zodiac star sign for this date is Taurus.

On This Day

On this day

What happened on May 1, 1997?

  • UK politics: The Conservative Party suffer a huge defeat at the hands of the Labour Party in the 1997 United Kingdom general election.
  • The Tamagotchi is released outside of Japan.
Song charts

Music charts

Songs that were on top of the charts in the USA and the United Kingdom on May 1, 1997:

  • United States: "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G.
  • United Kingdom: "Blood On The Dancefloor" by Michael Jackson

The Billboard Hot 100 on May 1, 1997

These were the top five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

  • Can't Nobody Hold Me Down - Puff Daddy (Featuring Mase)
  • Hypnotize - The Notorious B.I.G.
  • Foolish Games/You Were Meant For Me - Jewel
  • For You I Will (From "Space Jam") - Monica
  • Wannabe - Spice Girls
Play the top singles from 1997
A Spotify playlist of songs from the year 1997. Take a trip back to the days of the Backstreet Boys, Hanson, Dario G, The Prodigy and Daft Punk.
Volcano

Top movie at the box office

The movie "Volcano" was at the top of the box office on May 1, 1997.

Facts

This date occurred 10,069 days ago. Approximately 336 months have passed. It was the 121st day of 1997, in week 18. The decade was the nineties. People who were born on May 1, 1997, are now 27 years old and belong to the Gen-Z generation. The Earth has experienced 112 seasons of weather since then.

Take me back to May 1, 1997

Let's take a stroll down memory lane.

The date is May 1, 1997, and it's a Thursday. Anyone born today will have the star sign Taurus. The summer of 1997 has finally arrived. The weather has warmed up, and the evenings are brighter than usual. The school year is nearly finished.

In America, the song "Hypnotize" by The Notorious B.I.G. is at the top of the singles charts, while "Blood On The Dancefloor" by Michael Jackson is the number-one song in the UK. Bill Clinton is the President of the United States, and the movie Volcano is at the top of the box office. John Major is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

On television, people are watching popular shows such as "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman", "Frasier", "The Nanny", and "ER". A new form of communication called "text messaging" is starting to become more widespread. However, it can only be done if both the sender and the receiver are on the same cell network. Meanwhile, a global system called "the Internet" is also starting to take off. Each day, more and more people are learning how to send emails and browse "websites" on the World Wide Web by connecting their IBM computers to noisy dial-up modems.

The CD is quickly becoming the dominant format for music, and people are buying portable players such as the "Discman". Consequently, sales of cassette tapes are continuing to decline. In fashion, bright and metallic colors are all the rage—a big change from the darker "grunge" colors of the early 1990s. Women are wearing maxi skirts, bell bottoms, knee boots, crop tops, tube tops, slip dresses, maxi coats, and platform shoes. Meanwhile, a lot of men have ditched their grunge and skater clothes in favor of a "dress casual" look. They are also beginning to cut their hair shorter. It's 1997, so radio stations are being dominated by the likes of Toni Braxton, the Spice Girls, Puff Daddy, No Doubt, Hanson and Elton John.

If you were to travel back to this day, notable figures such as Jeff Buckley, Gianni Versace, Princess Diana, and Dodi Fayed would all still be alive. People are playing video games such as "Duke Nukem 3D", "Fade to Black", "FIFA 97", and "Tekken 3". Children and teenagers are watching television shows such as "Home Improvement", "The Magic School Bus", "Moesha", and "KaBlam!".

Children are playing with toys such as Yo-yo, Tyco Rebound RC Car, the Tamagotchi, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Zodiac info

Zodiac

Zodiac, birthstone, and birth flower information.

Personality summary image

  • Zodiac Sign (Astrology): Anyone born on May 1, 1997, will have the star sign Taurus.
  • Zodiac Element: Earth.
  • Chinese Zodiac Animal: In the Chinese Zodiac, 1997 was the year of the Ox (Yin Wood).
  • The Life Path Number for this date is 5.
  • Native American Zodiac: May 1, 1997 falls under the Beaver.
  • Birthstone: A person during the month of May will have the birthstone Emerald.
  • Birth flower (May): The Lily of the Valley and the Hawthorn.
News

News, nostalgia, and fads

These are news stories, trending topics, and fads that were popular on May 1, 1997.

  • Eurovision 1997.

    Eurovision 1997

    The 1997 Eurovision song contest was held in Dublin, Ireland. The United Kingdom went on to win the contest with the song "Love Shine a Light" by Katrina and the Waves.
  • Hanson release their song "MMMBop".

    Hanson release their song "MMMBop"

    In April 1997, American pop rock band Hanson released their hit single MMMBop. The song reached #1 in at least a dozen countries.
  • Shawn Colvin - "Sunny Came Home"

    Shawn Colvin - "Sunny Came Home"

    The song "Sunny Came Home" by Shawn Colvin went on to win a Grammy for 1997's Record of the Year.
  • 1997 in music.

    1997 in music

    Popular music artists in 1997 included the Spice Girls, Jewel, Puff Daddy, Monica, Mark Morrison, Hanson, Meredith Brooks, Backstreet Boys, LeAnn Rimes, Usher, Elton John, and Boyz II Men.
  • Who were the best NBA players in 1997?

    Who were the best NBA players in 1997?

    In 1997, the best NBA players were Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Hardaway, Scottie Pippen, Glen Rice, Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton, Mitch Richmond, Anthony Mason, Vin Baker, Shaquille O'Neal, John Stockton and Penny Hardaway.
  • Andrew Grove.

    Andrew Grove

    The chairman and CEO of Intel, Andrew Grove, was named Time Person of the Year in 1997.
  • Late 1990s Fashion.

    Late 1990s Fashion

    Popular clothing items included pleather pants, high-waisted miniskirts, and halter tops. Metallic clothing became more prominent. Cargo pants and other military-inspired clothing also started to become more popular. Preppy looks became widespread among young men as brands such as "Old Navy" and "Abercrombie & Fitch" became more and more popular. The rave scene also inspired the comeback of more colors.
  • The Nintendo 64.

    The Nintendo 64

    The Nintendo 64 was competing with Sony's PlayStation console. Popular games included Mario Kart 64, GoldenEye 007, and Yoshi's Story.
  • 1997 in movies.

    1997 in movies

    Movies released in 1997 included Titanic, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Men in Black, Tomorrow Never Dies, Air Force One, Liar Liar, As Good as It Gets, The Fifth Element, The Full Monty, Starship Troopers, Good Will Hunting and Alien: Resurrection.
  • Teri Hatcher.

    Teri Hatcher

    American actress Teri Hatcher was listed as FHM's sexiest woman in 1997.
  • Best football players in 1997.

    Best football players in 1997

    In 1997, the best soccer players were Ronaldo, Predrag Mijatović, Zinedine Zidane, Dennis Bergkamp, Roberto Carlos, Andreas Möller, Raúl, Peter Schmeichel, Jürgen Kohler, Matthias Sammer and Christian Vieri.
  • Dancing baby.

    Dancing baby

    In 1997, a 3D animation of a dancing baby became one of the first viral videos. Over the course of the year, the animation appeared in commercials and sitcoms such as Ally McBeal.
  • Titanic.

    Titanic

    James Cameron's film "Titanic" won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1997.
  • The Internet is still a novelty.

    The Internet is still a novelty

    Although the Internet existed, it was still something of a novelty in the late 1990s. Many people had to visit their local library just to "surf the web". Social media wasn't a thing yet, and most sites consisted of gaudy, static web pages.
  • Sony PlayStation.

    Sony PlayStation

    The Sony PlayStation (PS1) was released in September 1995. It was one of the best-selling video game consoles of the 1990s.
  • CDs have become the dominant music format.

    CDs have become the dominant music format

    By this stage, the CD had become the dominant music format. Consequently, sales of CD players and the "Discman" continued to increase. Meanwhile, people were beginning to replace their cassette players.
  • Kids are reading Goosebumps.

    Kids are reading Goosebumps

    Kids were reading Goosebumps, which was a series of children's horror books that were written by author R. L. Stine. The original series included books such as "Monster Blood", "Say Cheese and Die!" and "The Barking Ghost".
  • VCRs are common household items.

    VCRs are common household items

    Everyone was using VCRs to watch tapes of movies and TV shows. The device also gave people the ability to record programs and films onto a blank tape.
  • People are using pagers to communicate.

    People are using pagers to communicate

    Pagers achieved mainstream popularity during the 1990s. These small devices allowed the owner to receive messages. More often than not, the message was a short memo or a phone number that they were supposed to call back.
  • Wallpaper is beginning to go out of style.

    Wallpaper is beginning to go out of style

    By the 1990s, "modernism" was starting to heavily influence interior design trends. As a result, sales of wallpaper started to decline. Instead of using decorative wallpaper, people were beginning to opt for minimalist, painted walls.
  • The Scrunchie.

    The Scrunchie

    People are wearing an elastic hair tie called the "scrunchie".

Personality traits

Check out our personality summary for people who were born on May 1, 1997.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

View Personality Summary

Events

What happened around this time?

News stories, pop culture trends, and other events that happened around May 1, 1997.

  • April 1, 1997: The first episode of Pokemon is aired.
  • April 11, 1997: The film Anaconda, starring Jennifer Lopez and Ice Cube, is released in movie theaters.
  • April 13, 1997: Tiger Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament.
  • April 15, 1997: Hanson release their song "MMMBop".
  • April 19, 1997: The animated TV series "The Angry Beavers" debuts on Nickelodeon.
  • April 28, 1997: Foo Fighters release their single "Monkey Wrench".
  • This date: May 1, 1997
  • May 2, 1997:
    • The Labour Party in Britain returns to power after 18 years.
    • Tony Blair becomes the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
  • May 6, 1997: Soccer: Michael Owen makes his debut for Liverpool.
  • May 7, 1997: The movie The Fifth Element (1997) is released.
  • May 8, 1997: 35 people are killed when China Southern Airlines Flight 3456 crashes in Shenzhen.
  • May 12, 1997: The last episode of Baywatch starring Pamela Anderson is aired.
  • May 14, 1997: The song Barbie Girl by Aqua is released.
  • May 16, 1997: Soccer: Liverpool striker Stan Collymore signs for Aston Villa for £7 million.
  • May 17, 1997:
    • Football: Manchester United star Eric Cantona announces his retirement.
    • FA Cup Final 1997: Chelsea secure their first major trophy in 26 years after they defeat Middlesbrough 2-0.
    • Zaire is renamed as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • May 19, 1997: Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick are married.
  • May 20, 1997: Missy Elliott releases her debut single "The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)".
  • May 23, 1997:
    • The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) is released.
    • Puff Daddy releases his single "I'll Be Missing You".
    • LeAnn Rimes releases her song "How Do I Live".
  • May 25, 1997: The first episode of "Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction" is aired on television.
  • May 27, 1997:
    • LeAnn Rimes releases her song "How Do I Live".
    • A tornado kills 27 people in Jarrell, Texas.
  • May 28, 1997: Football: Borussia Dortmund win the UEFA Champions League after they defeat Juventus 3-1.
  • May 29, 1997: 30-year-old singer Jeff Buckley drowns in Memphis, Tennessee.
  • May 30, 1997: Mariah Carey and Tommy Mottola announce that they are separating after nearly four years of marriage.

Late 1990s fashion

Photographs of late 1990s fashion and hairstyles.

Late 1990s fashion

Television shows

Television shows in May 1997

Television shows that people were watching in May 1997:

TV shows from May 1997.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
King of the Hill
King of the Hill
Everybody Loves Raymond
Everybody Loves Raymond
7th Heaven
7th Heaven
3rd Rock from the Sun
3rd Rock from the Sun
JAG
JAG
Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess
Father Ted
Father Ted
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Friends
Friends
Touched by an Angel
Touched by an Angel

Cars in 1997

1997 saw the introduction of cars such as the Saab 9-5, the Toyota Avensis, the Toyota Prius, the Lincoln Navigator, the Honda Accord, and the Chevrolet Corvette (C5).

Cars in 1997.

Children TV shows

Cartoons and children's TV shows in May 1997

Children and teenagers were watching the following cartoons and TV series:

The Angry Beavers
The Angry Beavers
Smart Guy
Smart Guy
Pokemon
Pokemon

Teletubbies
Teletubbies
Daria
Daria
KaBlam!
KaBlam!
Hey Arnold!
Hey Arnold!
Arthur
Arthur
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Bruno the Kid
Bruno the Kid
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Mortal Kombat: Defenders of the Realm
Toys

Toys in 1997

Children were playing with the following toys and games:

The Pokémon Trading Card Game
The Pokémon Trading Card Game
Bop It
Bop It
Car City Carpet
Car City Carpet
The Nintendo 64
The Nintendo 64
Tickle Me Elmo
Tickle Me Elmo
The Tamagotchi
The Tamagotchi
Tyco Rebound RC Car
Tyco Rebound RC Car
Street Sharks Action Figures
Street Sharks Action Figures
The PlayStation (PS1)
The PlayStation (PS1)
The Sega Saturn
The Sega Saturn
Styrofoam plane gliders
Styrofoam plane gliders
Fisher-Price Great Adventures Castle
Fisher-Price Great Adventures Castle
Video games

Video games

Popular video games that people were playing in May 1997.

Theme Hospital 1997
Theme Hospital
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night 1997
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Tekken 3 1997
Tekken 3
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter 1997
Turok: Dinosaur Hunter
Final Fantasy VII 1997
Final Fantasy VII
Soul Blade 1997
Soul Blade
Diablo 1996
Diablo
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble! 1996
Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!
FIFA 97 1996
FIFA 97
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain 1996
Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 1996
Command & Conquer: Red Alert
Tomb Raider 1996
Tomb Raider

Were you born on May 1, 1997?

If you were born on this date, then it is unlikely that you will remember anything from the year 1997.

This is because humans find it difficult to retrieve memories of their early childhood.

If you are looking for some childhood nostalgia, then you should check out May 1, 2003, instead.

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrity birthdays

Celebrities, historical figures, and other notable people who were born on May 1.

Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane

Historical figure Deceased
Born on May 1, 1852
She was not alive on this date.

Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw

American country singer
Born on May 1, 1967
He turned 30 on this day in 1997.

Mary Lou McDonald

Mary Lou McDonald

Irish politician
Born on May 1, 1969
She turned 28 on this day in 1997.

Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan

Actor
Born on May 1, 1982
He turned 15 on this day in 1997.

Romain Ntamack

Romain Ntamack

Rugby player
Born on May 1, 1999
He was born exactly 2 years after this date.

Charli D'Amelio

Charli D'Amelio

Social media personality
Born on May 1, 2004
She was born exactly 7 years after this date.

Holidays

Holidays

National holidays and famous events that fall on May 1:

USA

US President

Bill Clinton was the President of the United States on May 1, 1997.

UK

UK Prime Minister

John Major was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Ireland

Irish Taoiseach

John Bruton was the Taoiseach of Ireland.

Conception

Conception dates

Conception estimates for this date.

  • A baby that was born on May 1, 1997 was most likely conceived around August 8, 1996.
  • The due date for a baby that was conceived on May 1, 1997 is close to January 22, 1998.

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Stats for May 1, 1997

Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about May 1, 1997:

  • 10,069 days have passed since this date.
  • 1,438 weeks have passed.
  • 869,965,200 seconds have passed since May 1, 1997.
  • If you were born on this day, your heart has beat approximately 1,014,959,400 times.
  • Since then, the Earth has traveled approximately 448,902,043,200 miles through space.
  • If you were born on this day, your eyes have blinked approximately 144,994,200 times.
  • You have taken approximately 74,817,007 steps. That's roughly 33,252 miles.
  • 10,439,582 meteors have entered the Earth's atmosphere.
  • How many years ago was 1997?

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