University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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As the world turns jfe Florida Mar- lins won an up- set victory in a thrilling game seven in the World Series. photo courtesy of RM Photo Service Lecture hall floors wer covered with read and discarded copies of each mH rning ' s The Michigan Daily, over the University daily le our classroom walls. Students were stunned by the g ath of Princess Diana, skeptical about the allegations againstPresidentClinton and excited about the outcom 91 : the 1998 Super Bowl. Looking back at 1997 and , the news of the entire nation. photo courtesy of RM Photo Service President Clinton received support and criticism alike as news of the booming economy and allegations of wrongdoing cov- ered headlines. Retrospect ) courtesv of RM Photo Service Retrospect 83

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82 Retrospect

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Mass Suicide: March 22, 1997 Heaven ' s Gate leaves earth Planet earth is about to be recycled. Your only chance to survive is to leave with us. These words were the philosophy of Marshall Herff Applewhite, known as Do, leader of the cult known as Heaven ' s Gate. On March 22, while Comet Hale-Bopp made its closest approach to the earth, 38 cult members took their lives into their own hands, leaving behind what they considered to be mere vessels. Heaven ' s Gate, based on a combination of Sci-Fi and Christian doctrine, in its peek included somewhere between 200 and 1,000 members. Of these masses, 21 women and 17 men ranging in age from 26 to 72 joined leader Do in a mass suicide at a rented Santa Fe mansion. Applewhite and Nettles (former leader until his death due to cancer in 1985) claimed to be extraterrestrial representatives of the King- dom Level Above Humans. Cult members be- lieved that by renouncing sex, drugs, alcohol, their birth names and all relationships with fam- ily and friends, they could ascend into space shedding their containers, or bodies, and enter God ' s kingdom. The combination of Holy Week, photo courtesy of Tlx Associated Press Comet Hale-Bopp: It made its closest approach to Earth on March 22. the vernal equinox and a partial lunar eclipse converging multi- plied by the Hale-Bopp comet lighting the night sky, led the cult to feel that this was their call to leave the earth. They believed that a spaceship was following the comet ready to take the willing and pure souls to the next level. According to the San Degio medical examiners, the cultists died in three groups of 1 5 , 1 5 , and then the final eight. Their suicides were performed by ingesting Phenobar- bital mixed with a bit of applesauce or pudding, taking a shot of vodka, then death was sped along by the as- phyxiating effect of a plastic bag over the head. Their bodies were laid neatly on beds, the bodies in shroud garments, with the final two angels of death ' s heads still bound in plastic. They left behind videos, letters and an extensive web page describing their joy in the decision. In the video a man in his 40 ' s stated, I ' ve been looking forward to this for so long. The cultists left behind families confused and in shock, not quite understanding this extreme action. by Michelle McCombs March - April 1997 -| April 15, 1997 Hale-Bopp: Gracing the night sky Late March through early April were the optimal times to view comet Hale-Bopp, while it made its closest approach to Earth on March 22. Hale-Bopp was the brightest comet in more than 250 years to pass by Earth; comet Sarabat passed by in 1729. Its intrinsic brightness was 130 times that of the famous Halley comet that last appeared in 1986. Hale-Bopp was also three or more times larger than the Halley comet, estimated that its rocky, ice nucleus was between 16 and 31 miles in diameter. In the summer of 1995, Hale-Bopp was simulta- neously discovered by New Mexico astronomer Alan Hale and Arizona amateur star-watcher Thomas Bopp. This comet caused much ex- citement amongst astronomers because they were able to view it for an extensive period of time. by Michelle McCombs Dole-Gingrich: $300,000 loan photo courtesy of The Associated Press Dole Gingrich: Bob Dole jumps at the chance to reenter the political scene by lending Newt Gingrich $300,000. Bob Dole lent Newt Gingrich $300,000 at 10 percent interest to pay off anethics committee fine that threat- ened to crush Gingrich ' s political ca- reer as Speaker of the House. The Gingrich family were worth approxi- mately $200,000, mostly in Marianne Gingrich ' s name, who refused to re- linquish what she considered to be their security blanket. Dole saw an opportunity to reenter the political game, and ran an offerpast Gingrich ' s top aide, Joe Gaylor. Dole then flew to Washington on April 22, 1997 to close the deal; Gingrich does not have to repay the loan for eight years. As a result, he will have plenty of time to raise the money to pay Dole back. byCarolineWalker I Thousands died in Iran in a tragic earthquake that measured 5.5 on the Richter scale. Lives were claimed andcit- ies were left in rubble. President Bill Clinton announced that he was imposingaban on fed- eral funds for any experi- ments that involve hu- man cloning. Albanian mili- tants refused to lay down arms despite an appeal by the government and other parties wishing to end a week of violence.