1996 was a turning point for the world and for Bulgaria. Important political changes, scientific discoveries and military conflicts took place on the world stage. In the USA, Bill Clinton was re-elected President and Madeleine Albright became the first woman Secretary of State. Russia and Chechnya sign a peace treaty, ending the First Chechen War. South Africa adopts a new constitution after the end of apartheid.
Scientists prove the existence of a supermassive compact object (later identified as a black hole) at the centre of our galaxy. Dolly is born, the first sheep successfully cloned from a mature cell, a fact that sparks ethical and scientific debate. A “mad cow” disease (BSE) crisis erupts in the UK, raising serious concerns about public health and the credibility of the food industry. Discussions and efforts to tackle the ozone hole and global warming continue in scientific and policy circles.
At Stanford University, Larry Page and Sergey Brin began the BackRub research project that would spawn the Google search engine. Electronics development efforts would lead to the official publication of the first completed Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard.
The world is an Olympics – the Summer Olympics are underway in Atlanta. The event is marked by a bombing in the Olympic Park. Bulgaria wins a total of 15 medals (3 gold, 7 silver and 5 bronze), which is one of the most successful performances of the country at the Summer Olympics. King football is on the scene as usual. The European Football Championship is taking place in England, where the Bulgarian national team is also participating. The title is won by Germany, defeating the Czech Republic in the final. The UEFA Champions League is won by Juventus, beating trophy winner Ajax in the final. In Formula One, the world title goes to Damon Hill.
Some of the most significant films of the decade were released, and The English Patient won the Academy Award for Best Picture. In the music business, the Spice Girls’ debut single ‘Wannabe’ is released, marking the beginning of their worldwide fame, but popular boy band Take That breaks up.
For Bulgaria, the year was marked by a severe economic crisis. The government of Jean Videnov (BSP) is under increasing pressure from public discontent over the economic situation. Protests and demonstrations intensified. In the presidential elections, Petar Stoyanov (UDF candidate) won convincingly in the second round against Ivan Marazov (BSP candidate). This will start significant political changes in the country.
On October 10, after more than 9 months of waiting, the decision of the Varna District Court for the registration of the Public Center for Environment and Sustainable Development /C.O.S.S.U.R./ came out. And did any of the members then imagine what the next 30 years had in store for us!