1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Seasonal summary
The 1996 Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1, but the first named storm did not form until seventeen days later. It was an above average season in which 13 tropical cyclones formed, with all cyclones attaining tropical storm status. Nine of these sixteen attained hurricane status and six of those reached major hurricane status, which was well above the 1980–2010 average of 2.7 per season. Although there was neither an El Niño or a La Niña, the above average activity in the season was likely due to abnormally warm sea surface temperatures. Six hurricanes and three tropical storms made landfall during the season, causing 256 deaths and $6.52 billion in damage. Hurricane Edouard and Hurricane Marco also caused damage and fatalities, but neither storm made an official landfall.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Seasonal summary
Tropical cyclogenesis in the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season began with the development of Tropical Storm Arthur on June 17. In the month of July, two tropical cyclones formed, both of which later attained hurricane status. August was the most active month of the season, with a total of four storms developing in that period of time. The month of August also featured the strongest and costliest tropical cyclones of the season, Hurricane Edouard and Hurricane Fran, respectively. Although September is the climatological peak of hurricane season, only two tropical cyclones developed in that month. Despite this, both reached major hurricane status. Three tropical cyclones formed in October, with one attaining hurricane status. Finally, one tropical cyclone developed in November, Hurricane Marco. The storm lasted 10 days before dissipating on November 26, only four days before the official end of the season on November 30.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Seasonal summary
The season's activity was reflected with an Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) index of 166. ACE is, broadly speaking, a measure of the power of the hurricane multiplied by the length of time it existed, so storms that last a long time, as well as particularly strong hurricanes, have high ACEs. It is only calculated for full advisories on tropical systems at or exceeding 34 knots (39 mph, 63 km/h) or tropical storm strength.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Arthur
An area of increasing convection, possibly associated with a tropical wave, developed into Tropical Depression One on June 17 at 1800 UTC, while located near Grand Bahama. Initially, the depression moved north-northwestward and then northward around the western periphery of an Atlantic subtropical ridge. Despite moderately strong wind shear, the depression strengthened and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Arthur while re-curving northeastward at 0000 UTC on June 19. About 24 hours later, Arthur made landfall near Cape Lookout, North Carolina with winds of 45 mph (75 km/h). The storm weakened to a tropical depression early on June 20, before becoming extratropical the next day.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Arthur
As the center of Arthur passed east of Cape Romain, South Carolina, minor increases in surf were reported. Rainfall peaked at 5.85 inches (149 mm) in Georgetown, South Carolina, though because it fell gradually, no significant flooding was reported, other than minor ponding of water on roads. In addition, Arthur also brought precipitation to Georgia and Virginia, though amounts rarely exceeded 3 inches (76 mm). In North Carolina, swells ranged as high as 7 ft (2.1 m). A C-Man station located about 34.5 miles (55.5 km) southeast of Cape Fear reported sustained winds of 39 mph (64 km/h) and gusts up to 45 mph (75 km/h). Overall, damage caused by Arthur was minimal, totaling only $1 million.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Bertha
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Two at 0000 UTC on July 5, while located about 575 miles (925 km) east of Cape Verde. Twelve hours later, it was upgraded to Tropical Storm Bertha. Over the next few days, it continued to strengthen, becoming a hurricane on July 7, prior to moving through the northern Leeward Islands. A period of rapid intensification began late on July 8, with Bertha peaking as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) on the following day.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Bertha
Moving around the western periphery of a subtropical ridge, Bertha passed north of the Bahamas as a weakening hurricane before turning towards the north-northeast and re-strengthened. Late on July 12, Bertha made landfall between Wrightsville Beach and Topsail Beach, North Carolina with winds of 90 mph (140 km/h). Gradual weakening ensued the following day as Bertha moved up the Mid-Atlantic states and into New England before becoming extratropical on July 14.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Bertha
In the United States Virgin Islands, heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds damaged about 2,500 homes, of which 43 lost their roofs. Many boats were destroyed. Total damage was estimated near $7.5 million. The storm caused 3 deaths in Puerto Rico. Additionally, damage in Puerto Rico totaled $7.5 million. Two deaths were confirmed in Saint Martin. The storm caused numerous power outages and damaged 10 homes in Antigua and Barbuda. Four deaths occurred in Florida, three of which due to rip currents. North Carolina bore the brunt of the hurricane in the United States.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Bertha
Storm surge destroyed several fishing piers, marinas, and boats. A combination of storm surge and strong winds damaged over 5,000 homes and buildings, with at least 4 destroyed. There were 2 deaths in the state. The remnants brought local flooding and minor wind damage to the Mid-Atlantic, New England, and Atlantic Canada. One surfer died in New Jersey. Overall, the storm caused 12 deaths and about $285 million in damage, primarily in eastern North Carolina.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Cesar
A tropical wave emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on July 17. It developed into Tropical Depression Three near Isla Margarita of Venezuela on July 24. The depression headed westward, steered by a strong high pressure area over the Bahamas. On July 25, the depression strengthened into Tropical Storm Cesar. Around that time, it struck Curaçao. Cesar caused minor damage in the ABC islands to roofs and trees; one person drowned in heavy surf on Curçao. An additional three people drowned offshore Venezuela.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Cesar
In Colombia, heavy rainfall caused 3 deaths, 2 of which were from a mudslide in Pueblo Bello. Strong winds and significant amounts of precipitation lashed the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, unroofing 60 homes, and resulting in 11 fatalities, and resulting in 800 million COP ($440,00 USD) in damage. The storm continued westward and intensified into a hurricane on July 27.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Cesar
At 0400 UTC on July 28, Cesar made landfall near Bluefields, Nicaragua, with winds of 85 mph (140 km/h). After weakening to a tropical storm later that day, Cesar moved into the Pacific and was reclassified as Tropical Storm Douglas on July 29. In Nicaragua, the storm wrought about $50.5 million in losses. More than 2,500 homes, 39 bridges and 25 miles (40 km) of roads were destroyed. The storm killed 42 people and left an estimated 100,000 homeless in Nicaragua. In Costa Rica, river flooding damaged or destroyed 3,874 homes; 150 bridges were also destroyed. The road network was significantly damaged. Across the country, at least 39 people were killed and damage amounted to $151 million. Additionally, 12 people died in El Salvador. Overall, Cesar caused 113 deaths and $202.96 million in damage.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Dolly
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Four at 0600 UTC on August 19, while located west-southwest of Jamaica. The system strengthened into Tropical Storm Dolly about twelve hours later. Dolly headed westward and intensified into a Category 1 hurricane late on August 20. It then made landfall near Chetumal, Quintana Roo with winds of 75 mph (120 km/h). The system weakened to a tropical depression on August 21. Later that day or early on August 22, Dolly emerged into the Bay of Campeche and quickly re-strengthened into a tropical storm.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Dolly
The storm deepened further and was upgraded to a hurricane again at 1200 UTC on August 23; Dolly simultaneously peaked with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h). Around that time, it struck between Tuxpan, Veracruz and Tampico, Tamaulipas. Dolly quickly weakened to a tropical depression early on August 24, but remained intact while crossing Mexico and dissipated over the eastern Pacific Ocean on August 25.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Dolly
The storm brought heavy rainfall to much of Mexico, peaking at 37.41 inches (950 mm). In Quintana Roo, flooding destroyed a large amount of farmlands. Widespread flooding occurred after a river in the Pueblo Viejo area overflowed its banks. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, displacing about 35,000 people. Large scale evacuations occurred in San Luis Potosí, while about 6,500 fled their homes in the Tampico area. Communications and power outages were reported as far west as Mazatlán, Sinaloa. Throughout Mexico, there were fourteen fatalities reported, six in Veracruz, three in Nuevo León, and one in Monterrey. Additionally, two people were left missing in Nuevo León. The outer bands of Dolly brought rainfall to southern Texas, which caused minor flooding, but was mostly beneficial due to drought conditions in the state.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Edouard
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Five on August 19, while located about 345 miles (555 km) southeast of Cape Verde. The depression moved westward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Edouard on August 22. Further intensification occurred, with the storm being upgraded to a hurricane on the following day. Early on August 24, the storm re-curved west-northwestward and began to undergo rapid deepening.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Edouard
At 0600 UTC on August 25, Edouard attained its maximum sustained winds of 145 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 933 mbar (27.6 inHg); it was the most intense tropical cyclone of the season. The storm remained a major hurricane for nearly eight days. Edouard passed well north of the Lesser Antilles and then began re-curving northward on August 29. Later, the storm passed midway between Cape Hatteras and Bermuda on September 1.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Edouard
Edouard approached Nantucket, Massachusetts, but turned to the east before reaching land. On September 3, the storm weakened and became extratropical. It was absorbed by a larger system on September 7. Edouard brought rough seas and gusty winds along the East Coast of the United States from South Carolina northward. Strong waves in New Jersey drowned 2 people. Minor erosion and coastal flooding also occurred in several states, especially in New York and Massachusetts. In the latter, wind gusts up to 90 mph (145 km/h) left two-thirds of Nantucket, most of Cape Cod, and all of Martha's Vineyard without electricity.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Edouard
Gusty winds in Maine left about 1,900 without power in Portland. Damage in the United States totaled about $20 million. In Canada, the storm brought rainfall up to 5.35 inches (136 mm) and gusts to 75 mph (121 km/h). Rough seas disrupted ferry service and caused the closure of several beaches.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Fran
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Six on August 23, while located southeast of Cape Verde. The depression moved westward for several days and was upgraded to Tropical Storm Fran on August 27 while 1,035 miles (1,665 km) east of the Lesser Antilles. Fran tracked west-northwestward and intensified into a hurricane on August 29. However, Fran became less organized after a disruption to inflow due to Hurricane Edouard and weakened back to a tropical storm. Fran quickly re-intensified into a hurricane by August 31. While moving west-northwestward and then north-northwestward, the storm slowly strengthened.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Fran
At 0000 UTC on September 5, Fran peaked as a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 946 mbar (27.9 inHg). Early on the following day, the storm made landfall near Cape Fear, North Carolina at the same intensity. Fran weakened and moved inland, becoming extratropical over Ontario on September 8. Its remnants moved over the Great Lakes and were absorbed by a front on September 10.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Fran
In South Carolina, the outer bands of Fran produced high winds and light to moderate rainfall, downing numerous trees and power lines. As a result, a number of cars were damaged and over 63,000 people were left without electricity. Damage in South Carolina reached about $40 million. The state of North Carolina bore the brunt of the storm. Wind gusts as strong as 137 mph (220 km/h) were reported. Additionally, storm tide heights ranging from 8 to 12 feet (2.4 to 3.7 m) lashed the coast. Damage was most severe in the Raleigh area, exceeding $2 billion.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Fran
Several hundred thousand falling trees damaged at least 10,000 homes. Throughout the state, approximately 1.7 million people were left without electricity. Damage in North Carolina reached about $5.1 billion, with about $2.3 billion to homes and businesses, $1.1 billion to public property, $1 billion to forestry and timber, and $700 million to agriculture. Elsewhere, Fran brought flooding to several states, including Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, as well as Washington, D.C. Outside North Carolina, effects were worst in Virginia, where flooding and winds left 400,000 people without electricity and caused about $350 million in damage. Hurricane Fran was responsible for 37 deaths, with 24 of them in North Carolina. Property damage in the United States was estimated at $5 billion.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Gustav
An area of disturbed weather, accompanied with a low-level circulation, emerged into the Atlantic from the west coast of Africa on August 24. It organized further over the next few days, becoming Tropical Depression Seven on August 26, while located about 150 miles (240 km) south of Cape Verde. With a ridge to its north, the system moved west-southwestward. Conditions were initially unfavorable for development due to outflow from Hurricane Fran. On August 28, the depression began moving northwestward due to an approaching trough. Around the same time, the influence from Fran decreased, allowing it to intensify into Tropical Storm Gustav on August 28.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Gustav
At 0000 UTC on August 29, Gustav reached its peak intensity as a 45 mph (75 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 1,005 mbar (29.7 inHg). Thereafter, the trough previously causing the storm's northwestward motion transitioned into an upper-level low, increasing shear across the region. As a result, the storm slowly weakened and was downgraded to a tropical depression late on September 1. Gustav dissipated at 0600 UTC on the following day, while situated about 1,015 miles (1,633 km) east-northeast of the northernmost Lesser Antilles.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hortense
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Eight on September 3, while located about halfway between the Lesser Antilles and Cape Verde. The depression headed westward and barely strengthened until becoming Tropical Storm Hortense early on September 7. Hortense passed over Guadeloupe on the following day and entered the Caribbean Sea. It strengthened into a hurricane on September 9 and then curved northwestward. The storm intensified slightly further, before making landfall near Guánica, Puerto Rico with winds of 80 mph (130 km/h) at 0600 UTC on September 10.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hortense
It soon moved back offshore and brushed Dominican Republic while crossing the Mona Passage. After re-entering the Atlantic, Hortense substantially strengthened and peaked as a 140 mph (220 km/h) Category 4 hurricane early on September 13. Thereafter, the storm weakened as it tracked rapidly north-northeastward. Early on September 15, Hortense made landfall in Nova Scotia as a minimal Category 1 hurricane. It quickly weakened further to a tropical storm before re-entering the Atlantic and became extratropical later that day.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hortense
The storm produced heavy rainfall and gusty winds as it passed through the Lesser Antilles. On Guadeloupe, damage was most significant to crops, with over 50% of banana plantains destroyed. Localized flooding was reported on Martinique. Impact was most significant in Puerto Rico. Across the island, 11,463 houses were severely damaged. About 1.4 million people on Puerto Rico were left without electricity – equivalent to about 40% of the island's population. Damage in Puerto Rico was estimated at $153.4 million. There were also 19 deaths, most of which due to drowning during flash floods.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Hortense
In the Dominican Republic, strong winds damaged a number of buildings and houses, and downed several power lines. Flooding also forced the closure of several roads and impacted 80% of crops in Samaná Province. At least 3 fatalities were confirmed in that country. The storm brought strong winds to the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands, and lesser winds to Bermuda. Later in its duration, Hortense struck Nova Scotia, bringing heavy rainfall and hurricane-force winds to isolated locations. There were many power outages, trees blown down, roofs torn away, and roads damaged in the province. New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island were also impacted, though not as severely as in Nova Scotia. Damage in Atlantic Canada reached approximately $3.64 million.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Isidore
A tropical wave with a well-defined circulation developed into Tropical Depression Nine at 1200 UTC on September 24, while located south of Cape Verde. Due to an anticyclone to its north, the depression initially moved west-northwestward. After convection wrapped around the circulation and banding features increased, the National Hurricane Center upgraded the depression to Tropical Storm Isidore on September 25. Isidore deepened further and began developing an eye feature. Early on September 26, the storm was upgraded to a hurricane. About 24 hours later, it reached Category 2 intensity. At 0000 UTC on September 28, Isidore attained its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 960 mbar (hPa; 28.35 inHg).


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Isidore
After reaching peak intensity on September 28, steering current from a quasi-stationary mid- to upper-level low pressure area turned Isidore northward. Later that day, the eye feature disappeared and the storm began weakening due to strong upper-level winds. On September 28, Isidore weakened to a Category 2 hurricane. By the following day, it was downgraded to a Category 1 hurricane. Early on September 30, Isidore weakened to a tropical storm. The storm deteriorated further and was downgraded to a tropical depression at 1200 UTC on the following day. Because much of the deep convection diminished, Isidore was declared extratropical at 0000 UTC on October 1, while located about 490 miles (790 km) west-southwest of Flores Island in the Azores.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Josephine
Tropical Depression Ten developed from the remnants of a cold front in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on October 6. Moving generally eastward, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Josephine on October 6. The next day, it peaked with winds of 70 mph (110 km/h). Josephine made landfall in Taylor County, Florida near peak intensity early on October 8. Shortly after moving inland, the storm became extratropical. Early in its duration, the system interacted with a ridge, resulting in strong winds and high tides in Texas.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Josephine
The outer bands caused flooding rainfall in southern Texas, and in Louisiana, high tides flooded roads and stranded residents on Grand Isle. In Florida, the storm produced a storm surge reaching 9.3 feet (2.8 m) in Suwannee. High tides flooded about 3,600 houses along the west coast. Strong winds left about 400,000 people without power. The storm also spawned at least 16 tornadoes, one of which damaged 130 homes.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Josephine
The extratropical remnants of Josephine moved along the eastern coast of the United States, producing wind gusts as strong as 77 mph (124 km/h) in St. Mary's County and in Ocean City, Maryland. The winds caused widespread power outages, including 26,000 in Virginia and 31,000 in New Jersey. Heavy rainfall flooded low-lying areas and rivers along the storm's path, including in North Carolina which had previously been affected by hurricanes Bertha and Fran earlier in the year.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Josephine
In the Southeastern United States, the storm contributed to dozens of traffic accidents, which killed a person each in Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Damage throughout the United States totaled about $130 million. Josephine later moved offshore, and after passing southeast of Cape Cod, moved through Atlantic Canada with moderate rainfall and gusty winds.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Kyle
A tropical wave exited the west coast of Africa on September 27 and crossed the Atlantic and Caribbean before eventually developing into Tropical Depression Eleven on October 11. The depression drifted slowly southwestward and strengthened into Tropical Storm Kyle later that day. Slightly further intensification occurred and Kyle peaked as a 50 mph (85 km/h) tropical storm early on October 12. However, upper-level southwesterly shear caused Kyle to quickly weaken back to a tropical depression later that day. At 1800 UTC on October 12, Kyle made landfall in eastern Guatemala with winds of 30 mph (45 km/h). By early on October 13, the storm had completely dissipated inland.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Tropical Storm Kyle
Portions of the coasts of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico were under a tropical storm warning or hurricane watch as Kyle was approaching; however they were cancelled after Kyle weakened back to a tropical depression. Impact from Kyle was minimal and limited to light rainfall in the countries of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. In Belize, rainfall peaked at 2.32 inches (59 mm). Rainfall to the northwest of the center of Kyle was heavier, with some areas of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula receiving over 3 inches (76 mm); precipitation peaked at 5.71 inches (145 mm) in Tulum.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Lili
A tropical wave developed into Tropical Depression Twelve on October 14. After the storm formed, further strengthening of Lili was gradual, first to tropical storm status on October 16 and then to hurricane status on October 17. The next day, Lili made landfall in Matanzas Province, Cuba with winds of 100 mph (155 km/h) and moved across the central portion of the island; it was first hurricane to hit the country since Kate in 1985.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Lili
After emerging into the Atlantic Ocean, the hurricane accelerated northeastward, briefly peaking as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 115 mph (185 km/h) near the Bahamas on October 19. For almost an entire week, Hurricane Lili oscillated in intensity while fluctuating several times in forward speed. About two weeks passed before Lili transitioned into an extratropical storm north of the Azores on October 27, which subsequently moved across Ireland and Great Britain.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Lili
Early in its duration, Lili caused flooding in Central America that left thousands homeless and killed 14 people. In Cuba, 269,995 people were evacuated in advance of Lili, resulting in no deaths in the country. Damage was heaviest in Cuba, mostly due to the hurricane's heavy rainfall peaking at 29.41 inches (747 mm). The hurricane affected 11 Cuban provinces, damaging 92,542 houses and destroying another 6,369. The rains heavily damaged the sugar cane and banana crops. Overall, damage in the country was estimated at $362 million.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Lili
In nearby Florida, one person died after being swept into a drain during the storm's heavy rains. Moisture from Lili also fueled a storm that struck the northeastern United States, which contributed indirectly to a death when a man in Maine tried to drive across a flooded roadway. Damage in the Bahamas was not severe and was limited to some damaged roofs and downed trees. When the remnants of Lili struck Ireland and the United Kingdom, it produced strong winds and high seas that damaged hundreds of houses, causing $300 million in damage and six deaths.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Marco
A cold front interacted with several tropical waves, eventually spawning Tropical Depression Thirteen late on November 16, while southwest of Jamaica. Initially a tropical depression, it remained weak while tracking southwestward and eventually southward. On November 19, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Marco. It re-curved eastward and continued to strengthen, briefly becoming a hurricane on November 20. Marco weakened back to a tropical storm later that day. The storm turned northeastward toward Hispaniola, but later became stationary before curing eastward. Afterwards Marco doubled-back to the west. After weakening to a tropical depression on November 23, Marco became a tropical storm again on the following day. Thereafter, it tracked northwestward while fluctuating in intensity, before dissipating on November 26.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Hurricane Marco
Although it did not make landfall, Marco produced heavy rainfall in the Greater Antilles and Central America, which caused significant flooding in some areas. In Honduras, 4,000 homes were destroyed, 40 bridges washed away, and nearly 50,000 acres of fruit plantations were flooded. Nine deaths were also reported. Flood damage in other Central American countries was also reported, though affects were less severe. Heavy rainfall was also reported in Cuba. Marco also contributed to an ongoing flood in Jamaica and caused three additional fatalities in Dominican Republic. Overall, Marco caused 15 fatalities and approximately $8.2 million in damage.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Systems, Other systems
On September 13, a rare low-pressure area moved into Lake Huron where it gained subtropical characteristics. It reached its peak intensity of 73 mph (117 km/h) and a central pressure of 993 mbar (29.32 inHg), before making landfall in southwestern Ontario and dissipating soon afterward. The cyclone was dubbed "Hurricane Huron", as it maintained subtropical characteristics while situated over Lake Huron. The Lake Huron cyclone caused heavy rainfall and flooding across Michigan and Eastern Canada, as well as parts of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and the Northeast Coast.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Storm names
The following names were used for named storms that formed in the north Atlantic in 1996. The names not retired from this list were used again in the 2002 season. This is the same list used for the 1990 season except for Dolly and Kyle, which replaced Diana and Klaus, respectively. A storm was named Kyle for the first time in 1996. The name Dolly was previously used in 1953, 1954, 1968 and 1974. Names that were not assigned are marked in gray.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Storm names, Retirement
The World Meteorological Organization retired three names in the spring of 1997: Cesar, Fran, and Hortense. They were replaced in the 2002 season by Cristobal, Fay, and Hanna.


1996 Atlantic hurricane season, Season effects
This is a table of all of the storms that formed in the 1996 Atlantic hurricane season. It includes their duration, names, landfall(s) – denoted by bold location names – damages, and death totals. Deaths in parentheses are additional and indirect (an example of an indirect death would be a traffic accident), but are still related to that storm. Damage and death include totals while a tropical cyclone was in its pre-formative or post-formative stages.


1996 Auburn Tigers football team
The 1996 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by Terry Bowden, they tallied an 8–4 record, played Army in the Independence Bowl, and finished the season ranked #22 in the AP Poll and #21 in the Coaches Poll.


1996 Auckland Warriors season
The Auckland Warriors 1996 season was the Auckland Warriors 2nd season in first-grade. The club competed in Australasia's Australian Rugby League competition. The coach of the team was John Monie while Greg Alexander was the club's captain.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Jersey & Sponsors
The Warriors retained the same jersey designs as in 1995. The jerseys were produced by Canterbury of New Zealand. The Jersey was blue with a Green, Red and White "V". The main sponsor was DB Bitter, with Ansett Australia as the sleeve sponsor. Asics, Coca-Cola and Mitsubishi also had sponsorship deals.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Super League
As the Auckland Warriors had, along with seven other clubs, signed with News Limited they did not originally intend to compete in the Australian Rugby League's Optus Cup in 1996. Instead Super League was scheduled to start on 1 March 1996.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Super League
Legal proceedings had been ongoing between the ARL and News Ltd since 1995 and on 23 February 1996 Justice James Burchett ruled the new Super League competition to be illegal. As a result, the eight Super League clubs were obliged to compete in the Optus Cup in 1996. However the competition, which was originally planned to kick off on 1 March was delayed and commenced on 22 March.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Super League
As a result of the court action the Warriors were not invited to participate in the ARL's 1996 Rugby League World Sevens but many of their players instead took part in Super League's 1996 World Nines, which were won by New Zealand.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Super League
All Super League clubs apart from the Warriors forfeited Round One of the Optus Cup. The Warriors board instead directed reserve grade coach Frank Endacott to organise two teams of un-affiliated players to fly to Brisbane. Endacott did so, assembling teams largely made up of the Otahuhu Leopards and Ellerslie Eagles senior sides, and the Warriors first and reserve grade sides were awarded a win each via forfeit as Brisbane refused to play.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Super League
Auckland Warriors players were again ineligible for the New South Wales and Queensland State of Origin sides and the Australian Kangaroos due to the Warriors Super League stance.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Super League
In October 1996 New Limited won an appeal and Super League was allowed to go ahead in 1997.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Fixtures
The Warriors used Ericsson Stadium as their home ground in 1996, their only home ground since they entered the competition in 1995.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Fixtures, Regular season
*Brisbane forfeited Round One. The Warriors had sent a team to Brisbane consisting of players un-signed to Super League.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Squad
The Warriors used twenty eight players in 1996, including nine who made their first grade debuts.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Other Teams
The Warriors participated in the ARL's Reserve grade competition that mirrored the senior draw. The Reserve grade side again made the finals, finishing third. Unlike in 1995, the Warriors did not field a Colts side in the Lion Red Cup.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Other Teams
In the Reserve Grade Finals the Warriors first bet Sydney City 19–18 in the Quarterfinals. In the Semifinals they defeated Brisbane 18-12 to make the Grand Final. However, in the Grand Final the Warriors went down 14-12 to the Cronulla Sharks, the second year in a row that a Warriors team had lost a Grand Final. The cost of the finals campaign to the club was estimated at between $70,000 and $75,000.


1996 Auckland Warriors season, Awards
Stephen Kearney won the club's Player of the Year award.


1996 Australia Day Honours
The Australia Day Honours 1996 are appointments to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by Australian citizens. The list was announced on 26 January 1996 by the Governor General of Australia, Bill Hayden.


1996 Australia Day Honours
The Australia Day Honours are the first of the two major annual honours lists, the first announced to coincide with Australia Day (26 January), with the other being the Queen's Birthday Honours, which are announced on the second Monday in June.


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe
The 1996 Australia rugby union tour was a series of rugby union matches played between 19 October and 7 December 1996 in Europe by the Australia national rugby union team.


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, Results, In Italy
Italy: 15. Javier Pertile, 14. Massimo Ravazzolo, 13. Ivan Francescato, 12. Stefano Bordon, 11. Leandro Manteri, 10. Diego Dominguez, 9. Alessandro Troncon, 8. Orazio Arancio, 7. Andrea Sgorlon, 6. Massimo Giovanelli (capt. ), 5. Diego Scaglia, 4. Walter Cristofoletto, 3. Franco Properzi-Curti, 2. Carlo Orlandi, 1. Mauro dal Sie, replacements:, Andrea BarattinAustralia : 15. Matt Burke, 14. Tim Horan, 13. Dan Herbert, 12. Pat Howard, 11. David Campese, 10. David Knox, 9. George Gregan, 8. Mike Brial, 7. David Wilson, 6. Daniel Manu, 5. John Eales (capt. ), 4. John Welborn, 3. Andrew Heath, 2. Michael Foley, 1. Richard Harry, replacements:, Brett Robinson, Jason Little


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, Results, In Scotland
Scotland: 15. Rowen Shepherd, 14. Tony Stanger, 13. Gregor Townsend (capt. ), 12. Ronnie Eriksson, 11. Kenny Logan, 10. Craig Chalmers, 9. Gary Armstrong, 8. Eric Peters, 7. Ian Smith, 6. Murray Wallace, 5. Doddie Weir, 4. Damian Cronin, 3. Barry Stewart, 2. Kevin McKenzie, 1. Dave Hilton, replacements:, Bryan Redpath, Unused:, Derek Stark, Scott Hastings, Scott Murray, Alan Watt


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, Results, In Scotland
Australia: 15. Matt Burke, 14. Tim Horan, 13. Dan Herbert, 12. Pat Howard, 11. Joe Roff, 10. David Knox, 9. Sam Payne, 8. Daniel Manu, 7. David Wilson, 6. Owen Finegan, 5. Warwick Waugh, 4. John Eales (capt. ), 3. Andrew Blades, 2. Michael Foley, 1. Richard Harry, replacements:, Brett Robinson Unused:, Marco Caputo, Andrew Heath, George Gregan, Richard Tombs, David Campese


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, Results, In Ireland
Ireland: 15. Jim Staples, 14. James Topping, 13. Jonathan Bell, 12. Mark McCall, 11. Dominic Crotty, 10. Paul Burke, 9. Stephen McIvor, 8. Anthony Foley, 7. Denis McBride, 6. David Corkery, 5. Jeremy Davidson, 4. Gabriel Fulcher, 3. Paul Wallace, 2. Keith Wood (cap. ), 1. Nick Popplewell,  substitutes , Maurice FieldAustralia: 15. Matt Burke, 14. Jason Little, 13. Dan Herbert, 12. Tim Horan, 11. Joe Roff, 10. David Knox, 9. George Gregan, 8. Mike Brial, 7. David Wilson, 6. Daniel Manu, 5. John Eales (cap. ), 4. Warwick Waugh, 3. Andrew Blades, 2. Michael Foley, 1. Dan Crowley,  substitutes:, Brett Robinson


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, Results, In Wales
Wales: 15. Wayne Proctor, 14. Ieuan Evans, 13. Scott Gibbs, 12. Gareth Thomas, 11. Dafydd James, 10. Jonathan Davies, 9. Rob Howley, 8. Steve Williams, 7. Kingsley Jones, 6. Hemi Taylor, 5. Derwyn Jones, 4. Gareth Llewellyn, 3. Dai Young, 2. Jonathan Humphreys (cap. ), 1. Christian Loader, sostituti:, Colin Charvis, Neil Jenkins, Craig QuinnellAustralia : 15. Matt Burke, 14. Joe Roff, 13. Jason Little, 12. Tim Horan(cap. ), 11. David Campese, 10. Pat Howard, 9. George Gregan, 8. Mike Brial, 7. David Wilson, 6. Owen Finegan, 5. David Giffin, 4. Tim Gavin, 3. Andrew Blades, 2. Michael Foley, 1. Dan Crowley


1996 Australia rugby union tour of Europe, Results, The match against Barbarians
Barbarians: 15. T Stimpson , (Joel Stransky 22' ), 14 N Walker , 13 A Bateman , 12 Gregor Townsend , (M Allen 73' ), 11 T Underwood , 10 Rob Andrew (capt) , 9 R Howley , (A Moore 59' ), 8 S Quinnell , (D. Weir 79'  ), 7 Neil Back , 6 D McIntosh , 5 I Jones , 4 C Quinnell , 3 D.Garforth , 2 N. Hewitt , 1 N Popplewell Australia: 15. Matt Burke, (Stephen Larkham, 79'), 14. Joe Roff, 13.D Herbert, 12 T Horan (capt), 11. David Campese, 10.P Howard, (R Tombs, 73'), 9. S Payne, 8.M Brial, (B Robinson 23'), 7. D Wilson, 6.O Finnegan, 5. T Gavin, 4. D Giffin, 3. A Blades, (A Heath, 77), 2. M Caputo, (M Foley, 25) 1. D.Crowley,


1996 Australian Drivers' Championship
The 1996 Australian Drivers' Championship was a motor racing competition open to drivers of racing cars complying with CAMS Formula Holden regulations. The championship winner was awarded the 1996 CAMS Gold Star as the Australian Drivers' Champion. It was the 40th running of the Australian Drivers' Championship and the eighth to feature the Formula Holden category. The championship began on 8 March 1996 at the Albert Park Street Circuit and ended on 2 June at Mallala Motor Sport Park after eight races held over four rounds.


1996 Australian Drivers' Championship
Paul Stokell won his third Australian Drivers' Championship in a season dominated by him and his Birrana Racing teammate Jason Bright. The two dark blue Reynard 91Ds won every race of the season except one. Bright's early season unreliability became the difference between the two at season's end. The only race they did not claim was race two at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix meeting which saw Europe-bound Mark Webber in a guest drive in the Graham Watson owned Reynard, take the win when both Stokell and Bright retired. Darren Edwards was consistently best of the rest of the field, claiming four top three finishes over the season. Stephen Cramp took three seconds at the start of the season but faded, dropping to fifth in the championship behind Adam Kaplan.


1996 Australian Drivers' Championship, Teams and drivers
The following drivers competed in the 1996 Australian Drivers' Championship.


1996 Australian Drivers' Championship, Race calendar
The 1996 Australian Drivers' Championship was contested over eight races at four rounds held in two states.


1996 Australian Drivers' Championship, Results
Points were awarded 20–15–12–10–8–6–4–3–2–1 based on the top ten race positions in each race. Only half points were awarded for Race 1 of Round 2 at Phillip Island.


1996 Australian Formula Ford Championship
The 1996 Australian Formula Ford Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of Formula Ford racing cars. It was the 27th national series for Formula Fords to be held in Australia and the 4th to be sanctioned as an Australian Formula Ford Championship. The series was promoted as the 1996 Ford Racing Slick 50 Australian Formula Ford Championship.


1996 Australian Formula Ford Championship
The championship was won by David Besnard driving a Van Diemen RF96.


1996 Australian Formula Ford Championship, Calendar
The title was contested over an eight round series,  with two races per round.


1996 Australian Formula Ford Championship, Points system
Championship points were awarded on a 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 basis to the first ten finishers in each race.


1996 Australian GT Production Car Championship
The 1996 Australian GT Production Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title  for drivers of Group 3E Series Production Cars. The championship, which was organised and promoted by Procar Australia, was contested over an eight-round series with two races per round.


1996 Australian GT Production Car Championship
Outright championship points were awarded on a 15–12–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 basis to the top ten finishers in each race with a bonus point awarded to the driver setting pole position for each round. Class points were awarded on the same basis to the top ten class finishers in each race but with no bonus point for pole position.


1996 Australian Grand Prix
The 1996 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Melbourne on 10 March 1996. It was the first race of the 1996 Formula One World Championship, and the first Australian Grand Prix to be held at Melbourne, taking over from Adelaide.


1996 Australian Grand Prix
The 58-lap race was won by Damon Hill, driving a Williams-Renault. Hill's teammate Jacques Villeneuve, making his Formula One debut, took pole position and led for most of the race, before an oil leak enabled Hill to catch and pass him in the closing laps. Eddie Irvine finished third in a Ferrari.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Background
This was second grand prix in a row held in Australia, the previous race being the conclusion to the 1995 season.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Background
Taki Inoue was scheduled to race for the Minardi team as a pay driver but when no money materialised prior to the race he was replaced by Fisichella. Marlboro had expressed interest in Fisichella running early on.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Background
The race was the first to use the new race-start system, still used in Formula 1 today, replacing the old red to green light system. Under the new system, five red lights would come on at one second intervals, starting after the last driver reached his grid box. There would then be a pre-determined pause, and then the five lights would go off simultaneously. This was also the first race to have a single qualifying session on Saturday afternoon; the Friday session was dropped.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Qualifying
Jacques Villeneuve, making his début in Formula One, took pole position.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Qualifying
Both Fortis did not make the race due to the new 107% rule for qualifying, which said any car that qualified 107% slower than the pole time (1:38.837 in this race) would be excluded. Incidentally, the team had logged its best result of 7th one race ago at the season-ending 1995 Australian Grand Prix


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Qualifying
The measure was introduced as excessively slow entrants presented potential safety hazards due to a high speed difference.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, First start
It was an all-Williams front row with Damon Hill and debutant Jacques Villeneuve in the blue and white Rothmans cars. In the first corner Hill was squeezed by Irvine, lost momentum and was overtaken by both Ferraris in the run down going into the third corner. Behind Hill, Alesi sliced across in front of Hakkinen and Barrichello to claim the corner and began a chain reaction of heavy braking as drivers tried to avoid colliding with one another. David Coulthard veered left under braking and his McLaren hit the side of Herbert's Sauber.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, First start
Herbert tried to avoid the car and braked heavily. Martin Brundle was behind them and unable to slow sufficiently, hitting the rear of Herbert's and Coulthard's cars and was launched into a barrel roll, ending in a sand trap at turn 3 and breaking his car in two. Brundle was unhurt. The race was halted to allow the circuit to be cleared.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Second start and abbreviated race summary
The race was restarted. Brundle spun off after light contact with Pedro Diniz. The Williams dominated again, with Jacques Villeneuve leading Hill. Schumacher held on in third place, but dropped back half a minute with his second pit stop. He developed brake problems on lap 28 and retired five laps later. Irvine assumed third, despite contact Jean Alesi's Benetton on lap 6, when Alesi had attempted to pass him. Towards the end of the race Villeneuve was slowed by an oil leak, which allowed Hill to catch and pass him.


1996 Australian Grand Prix, Report, Second start and abbreviated race summary
Hill took his 14th Grand Prix victory, equaling his father Graham's overall number of wins. Hill took back to back Australian victories, the previous race being the last round of 1995, in Adelaide. In the end, the podium was Hill-Villeneuve-Irvine.


1996 Australian Individual Speedway Championship
The 1996 Australian Individual Speedway Championship was held at the Newcastle Showgrounds in Newcastle, New South Wales on 17 February 1996. The Newcastle Showgrounds had last hosted an Australian Solo Championship in 1927 when it was a ½ mile track and not the modern, 400 metres (440 yards) version.


1996 Australian Individual Speedway Championship
Sydney's Craig Boyce won his second national championship and his second with a 15-point maximum. Defending champion Jason Crump finished second after defeating Queensland's Tony Langdon in a runoff. Triple Australian Champion Leigh Adams and fellow Mildura rider Jason Lyons claimed the final two Overseas Final qualifying positions.


1996 Australian Labor Party leadership election
The Australian Labor Party held a leadership election on 19 March 1996, following the resignation of Paul Keating after the party's defeat at the 1996 federal election. Kim Beazley was elected unopposed as Keating's replacement, thus becoming Leader of the Opposition.


1996 Australian Labor Party leadership election
Speculation about Keating's successor began midway through his second term in office, as a result of consistently poor polling. Finance Minister Kim Beazley, Health Minister Carmen Lawrence, Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, and Employment Minister Simon Crean were all reported as possible contenders at various stages. In June 1995, deputy leader Brian Howe announced his resignation. Beazley was elected unopposed as his replacement, thus becoming Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. Keating then endorsed Beazley as his own eventual successor, stating that he was "the obvious person in the long run".


1996 Australian Labor Party leadership election
It was reported that Carmen Lawrence was the preferred candidate of Howe's Labor Left faction for the deputy leadership, but that she chose not to stand because she did not have the numbers in the caucus as a whole. Her position was thought to have been damaged by an ongoing Western Australian royal commission into her role in the Easton affair.


1996 Australian Labor Party leadership election
In April 1995, opinion polling by AGB McNair on behalf of The Sydney Morning Herald had Gareth Evans (20 percent), Carmen Lawrence (18 percent), Kim Beazley (13 percent), and Simon Crean (8 percent) as the favourites to succeed Paul Keating as Labor leader, although 31 percent of respondents were unsure. By July 1995, the same polling firm had Beazley on 27 percent, followed by Lawrence (19 percent), Evans (10 percent), and Crean (9 percent).


1996 Australian Labor Party leadership election
Keating announced he would resign as Labor leader on the night of 2 March 1996, when it became clear that Labor had lost the federal election to John Howard's Coalition. By the following week, it was correctly being reported that Beazley would be elected unopposed as his successor when the Labor caucus met on 19 March. However, there was initially some concern that he would not win his seat, the Division of Brand in Western Australia – his final margin of victory was only 387 votes. In the lead-up to the caucus meeting, most media attention was given to who would be the party's new deputy leader. Gareth Evans eventually defeated Simon Crean by 42 votes to 37.


1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships
The 1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships was a men's tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at the Memorial Drive Park in Adelaide, Australia and was part of the World Series of the 1996 ATP Tour. The tournament ran from 1 January through 7 January 1996. First-seeded Yevgeny Kafelnikov won the singles title.


1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships, Finals, Doubles
Todd Woodbridge /  Mark Woodforde defeated  Jonas Björkman /  Tommy Ho 7–5, 7–6


1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships – Doubles
Jim Courier and Patrick Rafter were the defending champions but did not compete that year.


1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships – Doubles
Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde won in the final 7–5, 7–6 against Jonas Björkman and Tommy Ho.


1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships – Singles
Jim Courier was the defending champion but did not compete that year.


1996 Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships – Singles
Yevgeny Kafelnikov won in the final 7–6(7–0), 3–6, 6–1 against Byron Black.


1996 Australian Open
The 1996 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park in Melbourne in Victoria in Australia. It was the 84th edition of the Australian Open and was held from 15 through 28 January 1996.


1996 Australian Open, Seniors, Men's Doubles
Stefan Edberg /  Petr Korda defeated  Sébastien Lareau /  Alex O'Brien 7–5, 7–5, 4–6, 6–1


1996 Australian Open, Seniors, Women's doubles
Chanda Rubin /  Arantxa Sánchez Vicario defeated  Lindsay Davenport /  Mary Joe Fernandez 7–5, 2–6, 6–4


1996 Australian Open, Seniors, Mixed Doubles
Larisa Neiland /  Mark Woodforde defeated  Nicole Arendt /  Luke Jensen 4–6, 7–5, 6–0


1996 Australian Open, Juniors, Boys' Doubles
Daniele Bracciali /  Jocelyn Robichaud defeated  Bob Bryan /  Mike Bryan 3–6, 6–3, 6–3


1996 Australian Open, Juniors, Girls' Doubles
Michaela Paštiková /  Jitka Schönfeldová defeated  Olga Barabanschikova /  Mirjana Lučić 6–1, 6–3


1996 Australian Open – Men's Doubles
The 1996 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park in Melbourne in Victoria in Australia. It was the 84th edition of the Australian Open and was held from 15 through 28 January 1996.


1996 Australian Open – Men's Doubles, Seeds
Champion seeds are indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which those seeds were eliminated.


1996 Australian Open – Men's Singles
Fourth-seeded Boris Becker defeated Michael Chang 6–2, 6–4, 2–6, 6–2 in the final to win the Men's Singles tennis title at the 1996 Australian Open.


1996 Australian Open – Men's Singles
Andre Agassi was the defending champion, but lost in the semifinals to Michael Chang.


1996 Australian Open – Men's Singles, Seeds
The seeded players are listed below. Boris Becker is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.


1996 Australian Open – Men's Singles Qualifying
This article displays the qualifying draw for men's singles at the 1996 Australian Open.


1996 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles
Natasha Zvereva and Rick Leach were the defending champions but only Leach competed that year, with Rennae Stubbs.


1996 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles
Stubbs and Leach lost in the first round to Rene Simpson and Daniel Nestor.


1996 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles
Larisa Neiland and Mark Woodforde won in the final 4–6, 7–5, 6–0 against Nicole Arendt and Luke Jensen.


1996 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles, Seeds
Champion seeds are indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which those seeds were eliminated.


1996 Australian Open – Women's Doubles
The 1996 Australian Open was a tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park in Melbourne in Victoria in Australia. It was the 84th edition of the Australian Open and was held from 15 through 28 January 1996.


1996 Australian Open – Women's Doubles
Jana Novotná and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario were the defending champions, but Novotná did not compete this year.


1996 Australian Open – Women's Doubles
Sánchez Vicario partnered alongside Chanda Rubin and successfully defended her title, defeating Lindsay Davenport and Mary Joe Fernández 7–5, 2–6, 6–4 in the final. It was the first and only Grand Slam doubles title for Rubin, and the sixth and final Grand Slam doubles title (third and final Australian Open doubles title) for Sánchez Vicario, in their respective careers.


1996 Australian Open – Women's Singles
First-seeded Monica Seles won the title, defeating Anke Huber in the final to win the Women's Singles tennis title at the 1996 Australian Open. This would be Seles' only Grand Slam tournament victory after her stabbing.


1996 Australian Open – Women's Singles
Mary Pierce was the defending champion, but lost to Elena Likhovtseva in the second round.


1996 Australian Open – Women's Singles Qualifying
This article displays the qualifying draw for women's singles at the 1996 Australian Open.


1996 Australian Sports Sedan Championship
The 1996 Australian Sports Sedan Championship was a CAMS sanctioned Australian motor racing championship open to Group 2D Sports Sedans. The title, which was the twelfth Australian Sports Sedan Championship, was won by John Briggs  driving a Honda Prelude Chevrolet.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship
The 1996 BOC Gases Australian Super Touring Championship was the fourth running of a touring car series in Australia under the Super Touring Car regulations. It began on 19 May 1996 at Amaroo Park and ended on 9 November at Oran Park Raceway after sixteen races.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Teams and drivers
The following drivers competed in the 1996 Australian Super Touring Championship.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Results and standings, Race calendar
The 1996 Australian Super Touring Championship was contested over an eight-round series with two races per round.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Results and standings, Drivers Championship
Points were awarded 15–12–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 based on the top ten race positions in each race. An additional point was awarded to the fastest qualifier for each race.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Results and standings, Manufacturers Championship
Points were awarded on a 15–12–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 basis for relative placings achieved in each race by manufacturer supported entries. All cars other than the best placed supported entry of each manufacturer were ignored when awarding points.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Results and standings, Teams Championship
Points were awarded on a 15–12–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 basis for placings achieved in each race. Only the best two placed cars from each team were eligible to score points.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Results and standings, Toca Privateers Cup
Privateers Cup points were awarded on a 15–12–10–8–6–5–4–3–2–1 basis for relative positions achieved by drivers in entries nominated as privateers at each race.


1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, Results and standings, Toca Privateers Cup
The Privateers Cup was won by Steven Richards in his Garry Rogers Motorsport-entered Alfa Romeo 155TS and Honda Accord, scoring 161 points. Second was Cameron McLean, scoring 119 points, and third was Jim Richards, scoring 111 points.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship
The 1996 Australian Touring Car Championship was a CAMS sanctioned motor racing title for drivers of 5.0 Litre Touring Cars complying with Australian Group 3A regulations. The championship, which was the 37th Australian Touring Car Championship, was promoted as the Shell Australian Touring Car Championship. It was contested over ten rounds between January 1996 and June 1996. The championship was contested earlier in the year than usual as much of telecaster Channel 7's broadcast equipment was required for its 1996 Summer Olympics coverage. 1996 was the last year in which Channel 7 would broadcast the championship until 2007, with Network Ten taking over the broadcast rights from the 1997 season onwards.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship
The championship was won by Craig Lowndes driving a Holden VR Commodore entered by the Holden Racing Team.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship, Television Coverage
Channel 7's coverage was again a same day delayed broadcast which saw Gary Wilkinson return to the coverage as host and eventually as a commentator alongside Mark Oastler after Andy Raymond was moved from the broadcast booth (where he started the season) to the pits and Brad Jones joined the team as their full-time expert.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship, Television Coverage
Mike Raymond retired from broadcasting full-time after the 1995 Bathurst 1000.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship, Pre season
At the end of 1995, tobacco sponsorship was prohibited by the Federal Government. A tight sponsorship market resulted in both Gibson Motorsport and Glenn Seton Racing scaling back to one car. Philip Morris sought to circumnavigate this by sponsoring Alan Jones Racing under a generic name.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship, Teams and drivers
The following teams and drivers competed in the 1996 Australian Touring Car Championship:


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship, Race calendar
The championship was contested over a ten-round series with three races per round.


1996 Australian Touring Car Championship, Points system
Championship points were awarded on a 20-16-14-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 basis to the top ten finishers in each race.


1996 Australian Touring Car season
The 1996 Australian Touring Car season was the 37th year of touring car racing in Australia since the first runnings of the Australian Touring Car Championship and the fore-runner of the present day Bathurst 1000, the Armstrong 500.


1996 Australian Touring Car season
Two major touring car categories raced in Australia during 1996, Group 3A Touring Cars and Super Touring. Between them there were 26 touring car race meetings held during 1996; a ten-round series for Group 3A Touring Cars, the 1996 Australian Touring Car Championship (ATCC); an eight-round series for Super Touring, the 1996 Australian Super Touring Championship (ASTC); a two event series in New Zealand, support programme events at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix and 1996 Bartercard Indycar Australia and two stand alone long distance races, nicknamed 'enduros'.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, Race calendar
The 1996 Australian touring car season consisted of 26 events.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, Formula 1 Super Touring support race
This meeting was a support event of the 1996 Australian Grand Prix.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, TAC Touring Cars
This meeting was a support event of the 1996 Australian Grand Prix.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, Champ Car Super Touring support race
This meeting was a support event of the 1996 Bartercard Indycar Australia.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, EA Sports Touring Cars
This meeting was a support event of the 1996 Bartercard Indycar Australia.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, Bathurst 1000 Super Touring support race
This meeting was a support event of the 1996 AMP Bathurst 1000.


1996 Australian Touring Car season, Results and standings, Mobil New Zealand Sprints
This was a two event invitational series held in New Zealand late in 1996. Seven teams (two of them with just a single car) were freighted to New Zealand and held three races at each of two events held at Pukekohe Park Raceway and a Wellington street circuit. Points were allocated 20–16–14–12–10–8–6–4–2–1 for each of the six races.


1996 Australian federal election
The 1996 Australian federal election was held to determine the members of the 38th Parliament of Australia. It was held on 2 March 1996. All 148 seats of the House of Representatives and 40 seats of the 76-seat Senate were up for election. The centre-right Liberal/National Coalition led by Opposition Leader John Howard of the Liberal Party and coalition partner Tim Fischer of the National Party defeated the incumbent centre-left Australian Labor Party government led by Prime Minister Paul Keating in a landslide.


1996 Australian federal election
The election marked the end of the 5-term, 13-year Hawke-Keating Government that began in 1983. Howard was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Australia on 11 March 1996, along with the First Howard Ministry. This election was the start of the 11-year Howard Government; the Labor party would spend this period in opposition and would not return to government until the 2007 election.


1996 Australian federal election
This was the first federal election that future Prime Minister Tony Abbott contested as a member of parliament, having entered parliament at the 1994 Warringah by-election. Future opposition leaders Brendan Nelson and Anthony Albanese also entered parliament at this election.


1996 Australian federal election
Howard became the first Liberal leader to win an election from opposition since Robert Menzies in 1949. (Malcolm Fraser was caretaker prime minister in the 1975 election.)


1996 Australian federal election, Background
John Howard, who had previously led the Liberal Party from 1985 to 1989, had returned to the leadership in January 1995 following a disastrous 8 months under the leadership of Alexander Downer. Downer and Peter Costello had succeeded Dr. John Hewson and Michael Wooldridge early in 1994 and were touted as the leaders of the new-generation Liberals. In the end, the party opted for the seasoned Howard, perhaps an acknowledgment that he was the only one left standing after a decade of party infighting.


1996 Australian federal election, Background
Howard approached the campaign with a determination to present as small a target as possible. Throughout 1995, he refused to detail specific policy proposals, focusing the Coalition's attacks mainly on the longevity and governing record of the Labor government. By 1996, however, it was clear that the electorate had tired of Labor and Paul Keating in particular. "The recession we had to have" line resonated with deadly force throughout the electorate.


1996 Australian federal election, Background
Although Keating's big picture approach to republicanism, reconciliation with Australia's Indigenous peoples and engagement with Asia galvanised support within Labor's urban constituencies, Howard was able to attract support amongst disaffected mainstream Australians – including traditionally Labor-voting blue-collar workers and middle-class suburban residents. He also promised to retain Medicare and hold a constitutional convention to decide whether Australia would become a republic.


1996 Australian federal election, Background
The election-eve Newspoll reported the Liberal/National Coalition held an estimated 53.5 percent two-party-preferred vote.


1996 Australian federal election, Result, Analysis
Overall the coalition won 29 seats from Labor while the ALP won 4 seats from the Liberals. These 4 seats were Canberra and Namadgi in the ACT and Isaacs and Bruce in Victoria. The ACT seats, which had been won by the Liberals in a by-election, fell to Labor due to a strong return to the ALP in a traditional Labor town by public servants fearing conservative cuts. The division of Brendan Smyth's seat of Canberra into the two new (of the three) ACT seats limited his campaign to the southernmost Tuggeranong seat of Namadgi where the ACT Labor right wing stood former MLA Annette Ellis who ran a tight grassroots campaign. Isaacs and Bruce fell to Labor due to demographic changes due to a redistribution of electoral boundaries.


1996 Australian federal election, Result, Analysis
Labor lost five percent of its two-party vote from 1993, and tallied its lowest primary vote since 1934 (an additional eight percent coming from preferences). The swing against Labor was not in and of itself enough to cause a change of government. However, Labor lost 13 of its 33 seats in New South Wales, and all but two of its 13 seats in Queensland. The 29-seat swing was the second-largest defeat, in terms of seats lost, by a sitting government in Australia. Three members of Keating's government—including Attorney-General Michael Lavarch —lost their seats. Keating resigned as Labor leader on the night of the election, and was succeeded by former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kim Beazley.


1996 Australian federal election, Result, Analysis
Due in part to this large swing, Howard entered office with a 45-seat majority, the second-largest in Australian history (behind only the 55-seat majority won by Malcolm Fraser in 1975). The Liberals actually won a majority in their own right at this election with 75 seats, the most the party had ever won. Although Howard had no need for the support of the Nationals, the Coalition was retained. As of 2021, this is the last time the Liberals have won a majority in their own right at a federal election.


1996 Australian federal election, Result, Analysis
Exit polling showed the Coalition winning 47 percent of the blue-collar vote, compared with Labor's 39 percent; there was a 16-point drop in Labor's vote among members of trade unions. The Coalition won 48 percent of the Catholic vote and Labor 37 percent, a reversal of the usual figures.


1996 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix
The 1996 Australian motorcycle Grand Prix was the last round of the 1996 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on 20 October 1996 at Eastern Creek Raceway.


1996 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix
The 1996 Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix was the tenth round of the 1996 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season. It took place on 4 August 1996 at the A1-Ring.


1996 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao general election
General elections are held in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for the Regional Governor and Vice-Governor were held on September 9, 1996.


1996 Axa Equity & Law League
The 1996 AXA Equity & Law League was the twenty-eighth competing of English cricket’s Sunday League. The competition was won for the first time by Surrey County Cricket Club.


1996 Azad Kashmiri general election
General elections were held in Azad Kashmir in 1996 to elect the members of sixth assembly of Azad Kashmir.


1996 Azorean regional election
The Azores Regional Election (1996) (Portuguese: Eleições Regionais dos Açores, 1996) was an election held on 13 October 1996 for the legislative assembly and government of the Portuguese autonomous region of the Azores in which the Socialist Party, under the leadership of Carlos César, was the first party with 45% of the votes, in comparison to their direct rivals, the Social Democratic Party who won 41%, although both parties were tied in seats with each party winning 24 MPs. Voter turnout was relatively high with just over 59.17% of the electorate casting their ballot on election day.


1996 Azorean regional election, Political parties
A total of 6 political parties presented lists of candidates for the regional elections in the Azores, where 191,477 electors could elect 52 deputies to the Legislative Assembly. Of these parties, some of the more prominent:


1996 Azorean regional election, Results
The winner of the election was the Socialist Party which, for the first time received a plurality of the public vote, although they obtained a comparable number of representatives in the Regional Assembly. After 20 years of successive right-of-centre Social Democratic victories, Carlos Manuel Martins do Vale César became the new president of the Regional Government, succeeding Alberto Romão Madruga da Costa.


1996 Azorean regional election, Results
At the same time, the Democratic Alliance of the Azores lost its only deputy, while the People's Party (which had not participated in the last election) elected three deputies (with 7% of the vote). Meanwhile, the Unitarian Democratic Coalition, led by the Portuguese Communist Party maintained its one deputy MP by electing one deputy on the island of Flores. The People's Democratic Union did not elect a single deputy.


1996 BC Lions season
The 1996 BC Lions finished in fifth place in the West Division with a 5–13 record and failed to make the playoffs.


1996 BDO World Darts Championship
The 1996 Embassy World Professional Darts Championship was held from 1–7 January 1996 at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey and was won by the number six seed Steve Beaton. Beaton, who suffered a first round loss in the previous two World Championships as the number one seed, defeated Co Stompé, 1994 champion John Part, and future champions Martin Adams and Andy Fordham before beating defending champion Richie Burnett 6–3 in sets in the final.


1996 BDO World Darts Championship, Prize money
There was also a 9 Dart Checkout prize of £52,000, along with a High Checkout prize of £1,600.


1996 BMW Open
The 1996 BMW Open was a men's tennis tournament played on outdoor clay courts in Munich in Germany and was part of the World Series of the 1996 ATP Tour. The tournament ran from 29 April through 5 May 1996. Unseeded Ctislav Doseděl won the singles title.


1996 BMW Open, Finals, Doubles
Lan Bale /  Stephen Noteboom defeated  Olivier Delaître /  Diego Nargiso 4–6, 7–6, 6–4


1996 BMW Open – Doubles
Trevor Kronemann and David Macpherson were the defending champions but only Kronemann competed that year with John-Laffnie de Jager.


1996 BMW Open – Doubles
de Jager and Kronemann lost in the quarterfinals to Lan Bale and Stephen Noteboom.


1996 BMW Open – Doubles
Bale and Noteboom won in the final 4–6, 7–6, 6–4 against Olivier Delaître and Diego Nargiso.


1996 BMW Open – Singles
Wayne Ferreira was the defending champion but lost in the first round to Marc-Kevin Goellner.


1996 BMW Open – Singles
Ctislav Doseděl won in the final 6–4, 4–6, 6–3 against Carlos Moyá.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Anderstorp
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Anderstorp was the sixth round of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series season.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Anderstorp, Results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Brands Hatch
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Brands Hatch was the eighth round of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series season.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Brands Hatch, Results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Jarama
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Jarama was the third race of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series. It was run at the Circuito Permanente Del Jarama on 14 April 1996.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Jarama, Official results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Le Castellet
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Le Castellet was the first race of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series. It was run at the Circuit Paul Ricard on 3 March 1996.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Le Castellet, Official results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Monza
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Monza was the second race of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series. It was run at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza on 24 March 1996.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Monza, Official results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Nürburgring
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Nürburgring, also known as the DMC/ADAC Rundstrecken Rennen, was the fifth race of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series. It was run at the Nürburgring on 30 June 1996.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Nürburgring, Official results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Silverstone
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Silverstone was the fourth race of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series. It was run at the Silverstone Circuit on 12 May 1996. The race was also appointed the British Empire Trophy.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Silverstone, Official results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Spa
The 1996 BPR 4 Hours of Spa was the ninth round of the 1996 BPR Global GT Series season. It was run at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on 22 September 1996.


1996 BPR 4 Hours of Spa, Official results
Class winners in bold. Cars failing to complete 75% of winner's distance marked as Not Classified (NC).


1996 BPR Global GT Series
The 1996 BPR International Endurance GT Series was the third season of BPR Global GT Series. It is a series for Grand Touring style cars broken into two classes based on power and manufacturer involvement, called GT1 and GT2. It began on 3 March 1996 and ended 3 November 1996 after 11 races. After the end of the season, two promotional races were held in Brazil, in the circuits of Curitiba (8 December 1996) and Brasília (16 December 1996).


1996 BPR Global GT Series
This was the final season of the BPR series before it came under the control of the FIA to become the FIA GT Championship in 1997. This was also the first year that the classes of competitors were trimmed to just GT1 and GT2.


1996 BPR Global GT Series, Season results, Non-Championship events
Following the conclusion of the season in November, two exhibition races were held in Brazil for BPR competitors.


1996 BYU Cougars football team
The 1996 Brigham Young Cougars football team represented the Brigham Young University in the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. They were the first team during the so-called "Modern era" (post 1937) to play 15 games in a season, and the only one to do it when Division I-A teams normally played 11 regular season games. Firstly, a team was able to play a designated "kickoff" opening game and not have it count against the allowed game total, then they played at Hawaii which didn't count against the allowed total. That allowed BYU to play 13 regular season games. They then played a conference championship game and a bowl game in the Cotton Bowl Classic bringing the total to 15 games.


1996 BYU Cougars football team
During the 2002 and 2003 seasons teams were allowed to schedule 12 games as well as a "kickoff" game. As a result, the 2003 Kansas State Wildcats became only the second team to play a 15-game season, finishing with an 11-4 record. The kickoff game exemption was eliminated in 2005, but the Hawaii exemption remains in place.


1996 BYU Cougars football team
Since 2014, it has again been possible for teams to play a 15-game schedule without playing in Hawaii because of the 4 team playoff system. The next team to do this without the aid of the playoff would be the 2019 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.


1996 Baden-Württemberg state election
The 1996 Baden-Württemberg state election was held on 24 March 1996 to elect the members of the 11th Landtag of Baden-Württemberg. The incumbent grand coalition government of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) under Minister-President Erwin Teufel retained its majority. However, the CDU chose not to renew the coalition, instead forming a new government with the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Teufel was subsequently re-elected as Minister-President.


1996 Baden-Württemberg state election
The Republicans unexpectedly retained their seats with a small swing against them, despite polling indicating they would fall out of the Landtag.


1996 Baden-Württemberg state election, Parties
The table below lists parties represented in the previous Landtag of Baden-Württemberg.


1996 Badminton Asian Cup
The 1996 Badminton Asian Cup was the fourth edition of Badminton Asian Cup. It was held in Seoul, South Korea from 19 to 23 June with total prize money of US$130,000. Host South Korea dominated by winning all the doubles disciplines, while Singles titles were shared between China and Malaysia.


1996 Badminton World Cup
The 1996 Badminton World Cup was the eighteenth edition of an international tournament Badminton World Cup. The event was held at the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, Indonesia from 11 to 15 December 1996 with a total prize money of US$185,000. Indonesia won 3 titles, while China finished with the titles in 2 disciplines.


1996 Ball Hockey World Championship
The 1996 Ball Hockey World Championship was the first ever Ball Hockey World Championship.


1996 Ball Hockey World Championship
The championship was played in Slovakia from 11–15 June 1996. Canada became champions.


1996 Ball State Cardinals football team
The 1996 Ball State Cardinals football team was an American football team that represented Ball State University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. In its second season under head coach Bill Lynch, the team compiled an 8–4 record (7–1 against conference opponents), won the MAC championship, and lost to Nevada in the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl. The team played its home games at Ball State Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.


1996 Ball State Cardinals football team
The team's statistical leaders included Brent Baldwin with 1,703 passing yards, Michael Blair with 680 rushing yards, Ed Abernathy with 425 receiving yards, and Brent Lockliear with 56 points scored.


1996 Ballon d'Or
The 1996 Ballon d'Or, given to the best football player in Europe as judged by a panel of sports journalists from UEFA member countries, was awarded to Matthias Sammer on 24 December 1996.


1996 Ballon d'Or, Rankings
Additionally, 18 players were nominated but received no votes: Oliver Bierhoff, Laurent Blanc, Zvonimir Boban, Enrico Chiesa, Edgar Davids, Robbie Fowler, Thomas Helmer, Bernard Lama, Jari Litmanen, Andreas Möller, Pavel Nedvěd, Jay-Jay Okocha, Raí, Dejan Savićević, Mehmet Scholl, Diego Simeone, Gianluca Vialli and Javier Zanetti.


1996 Baltic Cup
The 1996 Baltic Cup football competition took place from 7 to 10 July 1996 at the Kreenholmi Stadium in Narva, Estonia. It was the sixth annual competition of the three Baltic states – Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia – since they regained their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.


1996 Baltimore Orioles season
The 1996 Baltimore Orioles season in which the Orioles finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 88 wins and 74 losses and qualifying for the post-season as the Wild Card team. The Orioles broke the all-time record for most home runs hit by a team (set at 240 by the 1961 New York Yankees) with 257. During the season, four Orioles scored at least 100 runs, four drove in at least 100 runs and seven hit at least 20 home runs. The Orioles pitching staff allowed 209 home runs, 1,604 hits and had an ERA of 5.15. The Orioles defeated the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS and then lost in the ALCS to the New York Yankees.


1996 Baltimore Orioles season, Player stats, Batting
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in


1996 Baltimore Orioles season, Return of Eddie Murray
On July 21, 1996, the Baltimore Orioles re-acquired longtime Oriole Eddie Murray from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for pitcher Kent Mercker. Murray, a member of the 1983 World Series Champion Baltimore Orioles, would subsequently hit his 500th career home run later in the season. As a commemoration of this event, an orange seat was installed in the outfield stands where Murray's 500th home run landed. The Orioles had a record of 49 wins and 46 losses before the trade, and 39–28 after the trade, not including the playoffs. During the 1996 playoffs, Eddie Murray hit .333 and hit  HR while producing 3 home runs.


1996 Baltimore Orioles season, Return of Eddie Murray
The trade for Eddie Murray sparked the Orioles to have a better record after his arrival, than before. One can attribute that to his great leadership, which is well documented, as a Sporting News correspondent,  Michael P. Geffner said, "To think of Murray as anything other than a great player these days is not to have a dissenting opinion anymore but to be dead wrong, blind not only to the inner game but to an understanding of what truly raises baseball to something classic and beautiful--when the game is executed purely and seamlessly. Which is Eddie Murray to a T.".


1996 Baltimore Orioles season, Return of Eddie Murray
The Orioles success after the trade can also be attributed to the theory of "Power, worth, and recognition, " which Thomas S. Parish who is an associate professor of psychology at Upper Iowa University, Fayette, Iowa, describes as a type of motivation where athletes attempt to out do or "show off" to each other, which leads to better statistics, and more wins. In Eddie Murray's last at-bat with the Orioles he hit a home run off of New York Yankee pitcher, Andy Pettitte.


1996 Baltimore Orioles season, Jeffrey Maier incident
During Game 1 of the ALCS, New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter hit a deep fly ball to right field. Orioles outfielder Tony Tarasco camped under the ball and prepared to make a catch. However, a 12-year-old boy seated in the first row of the bleachers named Jeffrey Maier reached over the wall and caught the ball just above Tarrasco, costing the Orioles an out. Although it was fan interference, the umpire ruled the ball to be a home run. While Maier became a hero to Yankees fans, he immediately became a "symbol of the Orioles futility." The Orioles would go on to lose the series in five games.


1996 Baltimore Ravens season
The 1996 season was the Baltimore Ravens' inaugural season in the National Football League and first under coach Ted Marchibroda. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland.


1996 Baltimore Ravens season
Baltimore had remained without an NFL football franchise for 12 years after the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1996, however, the NFL approved Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell's proposal to relocate the franchise to Baltimore, although the records and name of the Browns would remain in Cleveland, Ohio and the Baltimore franchise would officially be an expansion franchise. After Modell established the franchise in Baltimore, the team was named the "Baltimore Ravens" via a poll conducted by The Baltimore Sun as the team was assigned to play in the American Football Conference (AFC) Central Division; afterwards, over 50,000 tickets were sold for the entire season.


1996 Baltimore Ravens season
The Ravens would finish their first season with a 4–12 record under coach Ted Marchibroda, who coached the Colts before and after they relocated and has a 41–33 regular season record in Baltimore. At the Ravens' first-ever regular season game, a then-record attendance of 64,124 was present in their win against the Oakland Raiders, 19–14, on September 1 at home. Their second victory came in Week 5, against the New Orleans Saints at home, in which they became 2–2. In Week 7, the Ravens traveled to Indianapolis to play Baltimore's previous team, the Colts. They, however, lost 26–21 and fell to 2–4 record. Their only other two victories were recorded in Week 9 (against the St. Louis Rams) and Week 14 (against the Steelers) at home.


1996 Baltimore Ravens season
Although not a winning season, Quarterback Vinny Testaverde and Safety Eric Turner were voted into the Pro Bowl, and wide receivers Michael Jackson and Derrick Alexander became the fourth receiving duo to surpass the 1,000-yard receiving mark. The Ravens held second-half leads in ten of their final eleven games; they ultimately went 3–7 in games decided by one possession.


1996 Baltimore Ravens season
As of the 2021 off-season, Michael Jackson's 1,201 receiving yards and 14 touchdown receptions stands as franchise single-season records.


1996 Baltimore Ravens season, Offseason
Prior to the season, the Ravens hired several coaches, including head coach Ted Marchibroda and defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis. Offensive guard Jeff Blackshear was acquired for a future 4th round draft pick. The Ravens traded 3rd, 4th, and 7th round draft picks for the Broncos' 2nd round selection (#55 overall).


1996 Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election
The 1996 Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election was held in October 1996 in all 100 Wards of Bangalore


1996 Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election, Background
In 1989, the BMP expanded to include 87 wards and further increased to 100 wards in 1995, covering an extra area of 75 sq. km. The council also included 40 additional members drawn from the parliament and the state legislature. The tenure of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike ended in May 1995. A new election was necessary to elect new Corporators and Mayor


1996 Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election, Background
Around the same time, the BMP council passed a resolution that only BDA layouts should be included in its limits and not revenue pockets, because of the cost of developing the latter. Around 50 per cent of the expanded BMP areas (meaning at least 40 wards among 100) were revenue pockets at that time. At that time, the BMP proposed betterment charges of Rs.215/sq. yard based on costs of developing those areas. But after the BMP elections of 1996, the council took a decision to reduce betterment charges to Rs.100/sq. yard. The state government (the H. D. Deve Gowda led administration) then issued a notice to the city council demanding why the latter reduced the rates. Subsequently, the state government agreed to the BMP rates.


1996 Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election, Background, Organization
New Mayor will be elected for a term of one year and Corporators will be in office for 5 years


1996 Bangalore Mahanagara Palike election, Schedule
The schedule of the election was announced by the State Election Commission in August 1996 and date of counting / announcement of result was in October 1996


1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt
The 1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt was a coup attempt in Bangladesh. The coup was launched by Army Chief of Staff Abu Saleh Mohammad Nasim against the President of Bangladesh Abdur Rahman Biswas. The coup failed and the Army chief of Staff was dismissed.


1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt, Background
In February 1996 the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia held elections which were boycotted by the main opposition, Bangladesh Awami league, led by Sheikh Hasina, who had demanded the elections be held under a neutral Caretaker Government. The constitution was amended and the formation of a neutral caretaker government took place. During the period between February and June, Major General G.H. Murshed Khan and Brigadier General Hameedur Rehman had spoken against the political situation of the country.


1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt, Background
President Abdur Rahman Biswas asked the Chief of Staff of Bangladesh Army, Lieutenant General Abu Saleh Mohammed Nasim, to take action against the officers. Nasim refused which led the president to dismiss those officers through the defence Ministry. G. H. Morshed Khan was the GOC of Bogra Cantontment and Hameedur Rahman was the deputy chief of Bangladesh Rifles.


1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt, Coup
Lieutenant General Abu Saleh Mohammed Nasim revolted against presidential orders. He organised troops loyal to him. Nasim was placed under house arrest by troops loyal to the government and dismissed from service, after Nasim was fired on Sedition charges. The soldiers loyal to the government also blocked roads leading to the capital Dhaka as they might be used to bring troops loyal to General Nasim. The situation was more tense in northern Bogra Cantontment where the GOC, Major General G.H. Murshed Khan, was sacked by the president. Soldiers protected the Government TV and Radio stations.


1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt, Coup
General Nasim was placed under the custody of Military police and held in the VIP officers' mess. Soldiers from Bogra cantonment and Mymensingh Cantonment supported General Nasim. The soldiers from Mymensingh Cantonment  tried to March to Dhaka but returned to their bases when the president ordered them to do so. Troops from Bogra cantonment could not reach Dhaka, as they could not cross the Jamuna River. The other side of Jamuna River was controlled by troops from Savar Cantonment who remained loyal to the president.


1996 Bangladesh coup d'état attempt, Aftermath
Major General Mahbubur Rahman was appointed the new army chief by the president. Shiekh Hasina won the parliamentary election that was carried out by the Caretaker Government. General Mahbubur Rahman joined Bangladesh Nationalist Party after retirement. The failed coup strengthened the image of Bangladesh army and its willingness to support democracy.


1996 Bangladesh tornado
1996 Bangladesh tornado was a deadly and destructive tornado that struck 80 - 90 villages in north-central Bangladesh on 13 May 1996, leaving  more than 600 fatalities with over 37,248 injured, and 36,420 houses were extensively damaged within 20 minutes of its arrival at 125 mi/h. The tornado arrived through Jamalpur, Sirajganj and Tangail districts that affected numerous families across the villages, 100,000 people went homeless  and more than 6,787 livestock were killed. Initial reports cited between 400 and 443 dead with 32,000 injured.


1996 Bangladesh tornado
Before the tornado arrived, locals witnessed heavy hailstones across the affected areas. Strong winds lifted several people away, and one person was blown and dropped 1.5 kilometers away at 28 mph. It also uprooted trees and damaged the houses completely, mostly mudbrick-huts built by the villagers on the banks of river.


1996 Bangladesh tornado, Background
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to various natural disasters, including frequent occurrences of cyclones, storm surges, tornadoes, tornado outbreaks, devastating floods and maritime disasters. Due to its frequent climate changes, it is recognized eighth vulnerable country in the history of world natural disaster. On May 13, 1996, tornado originated in north central of the country through Jamalpur, Sirajganj and Tangail districts of Dhaka. Due to its immense speed and 20 minutes of large destruction, it was declared the deadliest tornado, affecting the 90 villages of the country in forty years of Bangladesh's history. Several people died due to disease infection, head injuries, and lack of sanitary countermeasures and emergency assistance. The New York Times described "tree branches transformed into missiles by the 125 mile-per-hour winds".


1996 Bangladesh tornado, Emergency response
The survivors accused the administration for not providing timely assistance, leading to count more tolls. Despite being a hotspot of tornadoes, disaster response was never exercised in 1990s. People claimed that authorities left several survivors alone in an attempt to search for the missing bodies and arrange their burial preparations. NGOs and neighboring people were actively involved in emergency assistance and the victims where possible, received disaster relief from the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and government agencies. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was also providing medical assistance and dispatching relief materials to the tornado victims.


1996 Bangladeshi presidential election
The Bangladeshi presidential election of 1996 was held on July 23, 1996. Shahabuddin Ahmed was elected after being nominated by the ruling party. He replaced Abdur Rahman Biswas when his five-year term came to an end. His inauguration ceremony was held October 9, 1996.


1996 Bank of the West Classic
The 1996 Bank of the West Classic was a women's  tennis tournament played on indoor carpet courts at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena in Oakland, California in the United States that was part of Tier II of the 1996 WTA Tour. It was the 25th edition of the tournament and was held from November 4 through November 10, 1996. Third-seeded Martina Hingis won the singles title.


1996 Bank of the West Classic, Finals, Doubles
Lindsay Davenport /  Mary Joe Fernández defeated  Irina Spîrlea /  Nathalie Tauziat 6–1, 6–3


1996 Bank of the West Classic – Doubles
Lori McNeil and Helena Suková were the defending champions but did not compete that year.


1996 Bank of the West Classic – Doubles
Lindsay Davenport and Mary Joe Fernández won in the final 6–1, 6–3 against Irina Spîrlea and Nathalie Tauziat.


1996 Bank of the West Classic – Doubles, Seeds
Champion seeds are indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which those seeds were eliminated.


1996 Bank of the West Classic – Singles
Magdalena Maleeva was the defending champion but lost in the first round to Kimberly Po.


1996 Bank of the West Classic – Singles
Martina Hingis won in the final 6–2, 6–0 against Monica Seles.


1996 Bank of the West Classic – Singles, Seeds
A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated. The top four seeds received a bye to the second round.


1996 Baotou earthquake
The 1996 Baotou earthquake (1996年包头地震) occurred on May 3, 1996, at 11:32 local time (03:32 UTC). The epicenter was located near Baotou, Inner Mongolia, China. It had a magnitude of Ms 6.4. The earthquake killed 26 people, injured 453, and left 196,633 homeless.


1996 Baotou earthquake
The earthquake was located close to the western suburbs of Baotou, and it was considered a typical urban earthquake. A landslide in Hademen Gold Mine (哈德门金矿) caused 6 deaths. There was damage to electricity infrastructure. Liquefaction was reported in the low swamps along both sides of the Yellow River. Anomalies in gas radon and water mercury were observed before the earthquake. However, many of the anomalies were observed in Linhe, Baynnur, but the earthquake occurred near western Baotou. Besides in Inner Mongolia, the earthquake could be felt in Beijing, Shaanxi, and Shanxi of China as well as in Mongolia. There was a large historical earthquake in 849 around the Hetao region, and some researchers located it in eastern Baotou.


1996 Baotou earthquake
The earthquake, which destroyed many old houses, led to the reconstruction of Baotou. In 2002, the Baotou Municipal Government was awarded by UN-HABITAT for the improvements in shelter and the urban environments.


1996 Barber Dodge Pro Series
The 1996 Barber Dodge Pro Series season was the eleventh season of the series. All drivers used Dodge powered Goodyear shod Mondiale chassis. Derek Hill and Tony Renna were named co-Rookies of the Year and were awarded a paid half-season of the 1997 Barber Dodge Pro Series.


1996 Barcelona Dragons season
The 1996 Barcelona Dragons season was the fourth season for the franchise in the World League of American Football (WLAF). The team was led by head coach Jack Bicknell in his fourth year, and played its home games at Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. They finished the regular season in fourth place with a record of five wins and five losses.


1996 Barnsley East by-election
The Barnsley East by-election was held on 12 December 1996, following the death of the Labour Party Member of Parliament Terry Patchett for Barnsley East, in South Yorkshire, England, on 11 October.


1996 Barnsley East by-election
Barnsley council leader Jeff Ennis held the seat for Labour on an increased majority of 68% and more than three quarters of the votes, despite a low voter turnout. Despite a slight reduction in the vote for the Liberal Democrats, they overtook the Conservative Party for second place.


1996 Barnsley East by-election
The Socialist Labour Party, on their leader Arthur Scargill's home territory, was able to save its deposit.


1996 Barnsley East by-election
With the election of a new Labour MP, the Conservatives lost their Parliamentary majority.


1996 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council election
Elections to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council were held on 3 May 1996, with one third of the council up for election. The election resulted in Labour retaining control of the council.


1996 Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council election, Ward results
+/- figures represent changes from the last time these wards were contested.


1996 Bartercard Indycar Australia
The 1996 Bartercard Indycar Australia was the third round of the 1996 CART World Series season, held on 31 March 1996 on the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit, Surfers Paradise, Australia.


1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting
Elections to the Baseball Hall of Fame for 1996 followed the system in use since 1995. The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) voted by mail to select from recent major league players but no one tallied the necessary 75% support.


1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting
The BBWAA had petitioned the Hall of Fame Board of Directors on January 5, 1995, to reconsider the eligibility of Larry Bowa, Bill Madlock, Al Oliver and Ted Simmons, each of whom had failed to receive at least 5% of ballots cast in each of their first years of eligibility (Bowa and Oliver in 1991, Maddlock in 1993, and Simmons in 1994). The Board of Directors approved, but before the ballot was released, the BBWAA decided not to include them on the ballot after all.


1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting
The Veterans Committee met in closed sessions and selected four people from multiple classified ballots: Jim Bunning, Bill Foster, Ned Hanlon, and Earl Weaver. A formal induction ceremony was held in Cooperstown, New York, on August 4, 1996.


1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, The BBWAA election
The BBWAA was authorized to elect players active in 1976 or later, but not after 1990; the ballot included candidates from the 1995 ballot who received at least 5% of the vote but were not elected, along with selected players, chosen by a screening committee, whose last appearance was in 1990. All 10-year members of the BBWAA were eligible to vote.


1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, The BBWAA election
Voters were instructed to cast votes for up to 10 candidates; any candidate receiving votes on at least 75% of the ballots would be honored with induction to the Hall. The ballot consisted of 35 players; 470 ballots were cast, with 353 votes required for election. A total of 2,687 individual votes were cast, an average of 5.72 per ballot. Those candidates receiving less than 5% of the vote (24 votes) will not appear on future BBWAA ballots, but may eventually be considered by the Veterans Committee.