1996 was a year of major elections, major explosions and the end of the world's most famous marriage.

America and Russia both re-elected their premiers: Boris Yeltsin was re-elected Russian leader on July 3 and on November 5 Democrat Bill Clinton was re-elected US president, comfortably beating Republican rival Bob Dole. Right-winger Binyamin Netanyahu was narrowly elected Israel's prime minister. And in September national elections were held peacefully in recently war-torn Bosnia.

The US city of Atlanta hosted the summer Olympic Games. But a bomb stole headlines from the sporting achievements, exploding in the Olympic Park on July 27, killing one and injuring many. On June 25 a U.S military base in Saudi Arabia was bombed, killing 19 U.S serviceman. 1996 saw the arrest and charging of a notorious serial bomber - the reclusive American Ted Kaczynski, dubbed the Unabomber.

On July 17 TWA Flight 800 exploded over Long Island, New York, killing 230 people. More people were killed on commercial flights in 1996 than any other year to date.

On August 28 the divorce of Prince Charles and Princess Diana was confirmed by England's High Court, dissolving the Royal couple's15 year marriage.