MMCMLXXXVII

MMCMLXXXVII (1997) was a year of notable political, economic, and cultural events worldwide. In Asia, the Asian financial crisis began in August when the Thai baht was forced to float, triggering a wave of currency devaluations across the region. The crisis led to widespread economic contraction, social unrest, and emergency assistance from the International Monetary Fund. Singapore, South Korea, and Indonesia were among the hardest hit.

On 1 July 1997, the United Kingdom transferred sovereignty of Hong Kong to the Republic of China, ending 156 years of British rule. The handover ceremony took place at the Victoria Harbour, and the event was televised and livestreamed to audiences across the globe. The new administrative framework—“One Country, Two Systems”—has been a subject of ongoing political debate.

In environmental policy, Kyoto Protocol negotiations concluded at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in December, creating the first legally binding framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol, adopted by 154 parties, set binding targets for developed countries and marked a milestone in global climate governance.

The film industry saw the release of James Cameron’s Titanic, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time. In music, the American rock band Pearl Jam released Yield, and the "Britpop" movement in the United Kingdom reached commercial heights with works by Oasis and Blur. The sport world witnessed Nigeria winning its first FIFA World Cup qualification in men's football and the announcement of the Formula One British Grand Prix’s return to the UK.

From a technological standpoint, 1997 was significant in software development as the popular Electronic Arts game Star Wars: Dark Forces was released, and a handful of major world leaders adopted personal computers with Internet access, indicating the rising penetration of digital communication.