Check out the following:
 
1897     World Zionist Convention hosted by Theodore Herzl in Europe
1917     Balfour Declaration by British beginning Jewish immigration into Palestine
1947     UN Mandate for Palestine allowing Israel to become a nation (which happened in 1948)
1957     European Common Market is formed (early beginning of Revived Roman Empire of Dan. 2)
1967     Six Day War--Israel captures East Jerusalem and Temple Mount
1977     Anwar Sadat of Egypt flies to Jerusalem beginning Middle East "peace process"
1987     Palestinian Intifadah begins
 
Amazingly in 1997 nothing of significance happened.  Now it is 2007.  The last time two decades went by with nothing of great significance occurring was back before World War II!  I personally believe that something huge will happen before this year is over!
 
Neil Lipken