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| 1996, Feb. 9 |
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| An IRA bomb killed 2 and injured 100 in London. John Major broke off contact with Sinn Fein and demanded a cease-fire. | 1 |
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| 1997, Feb. 23 |
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| Researchers in Scotland reported having cloned an adult sheep, something that was previously thought impossible. This report sparked an international debate on the possibility and desirability of human cloning. | 2 |
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| May 1 |
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| After 18 years of conservative rule, the Labour Party won British elections. Its leader, Tony Blair, became the new prime minister. | 3 |
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| May 6 |
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| In an unprecedented move, the Labour Party granted the Bank of England autonomy in establishing interest rates. | 4 |
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| May 16 |
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| Tony Blair dropped the ban on British government contact with Sinn Fein. | 5 |
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| Sept. 15 |
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| Sinn Fein participated in Northern Ireland peace talks for the first time. | 6 |
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| Sept. 11 |
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| In a referendum, Scotland voters approved plans to form their own parliament to control issues of local and regional concern. | 7 |
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