The first God of War game was released for the PlayStation 2 to the North American market.
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The super-bright comet 'Hale-Bopp' reached its closest point to Earth at a distance of 1.215 AU, making it visible to the naked eye.
Arthur Schawlow & Charles Townes was granted the first patent for a laser.
The Spanish National Assembly officially abolished slavery in Puerto Rico.
America built the first rocket to reach an altitude of 50 miles (80 km).
New York became the first US court to allow blood test results to be used as evidence.
