1996 - Michael records a video message for friend Mandy Porter, a fan he met during his "Bad World Tour" who has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease, to commend her dance routine with her friends.

March 1996 - Michael shoots the “Prison” version of the 'They Don’t Care About Us' video directed by Spike Lee in New York.

February 10-12, 1996 - Michael goes to Rio to shoot a second version of the "They Don’t Care About Us" video directed by Spike Lee. He takes the Cascio kids with him.

February 16, 1996 -Michael arrives in London, England at Heathrow Airport for the upcoming 1996 "Brit Awards".

February 19, 1996 - Michael performs "Earth Song" at the 1996 Brit Awards, held at the Earls Court in London, and he is almost interrupted by Jarvis Cocker, the leader of the British Band Pulp. Michael receives the award of 'Artist Of A Generation' presented by Bob Geldof.

March 1, 1996 - Michael attends a hearing, answering a series of questions from his legal team in preparation for a lawsuit filed against him by former staff members at his Neverland Valley Ranch claiming wrongful dismissal among other allegations. Michael later wins the case, and the former staff members and their attorney are sanctioned $66,000 for lying during their depositions and on the stand and for discovery violations (ie. for hiding evidence from Jackson’s lawyers). Judge Zel Canter, who presided over the civil trial, leaves the bench after stating he's disgusted.

March 19, 1996 - Michael goes into partnership with Saudi Arabia's Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud in the creation of the "Kingdom Entertainment" company. With the company's logo designed by Michael, he attends a press conference expressing his excitement for his new venture in "global family entertainment".

April 15- ~May 1996 - Michael films the "Ghosts" short film in California at Van Nuys studios.

April 28, 1996 - Michael attends a performance of musical "Sisterella" in Pasadena, California, in which he is credited as executive producer.

May 8, 1996 - Michael attends the World Music Awards in Monte Carlo, Monaco, performing "Earth Song" and receiving 5 awards. At the end of the ceremony, he goes on stage to hug Diana Ross. He also addresses the controversy over "They Don’t Care About Us", stating that he has never been anti-Semitic.

May 12, 1996 - Michael visits Evolutions Recording Studio in London to touch up his World Music Awards performance with the show's producer Gary Pudney.

Early July 1996 - Michael films for his "Stranger in Moscow" music video / short film. During a break, he shoots the "Why" single cover with his nephews, the R&B/Pop music group 3T.

Early July 1996 - Michael films with 3T, a musical group which consisted of Michael's nephews, for their "Why" music video.

July 1996 - Michael records "On the Line".

July 1996 - Michael interviews for MBC, an Arabic channel. The interview took place in the middle-east in July 1996. Most questions were posed to him in Arabic, Michael's answers are English, with Arabic subtitles shown on screen, and his answers are transcribed here word-for-word.

July 5, 1996 - Michael discusses book plans with Adrian Grant on the set of "Stranger in Moscow", as well as the Brit Awards performance and Michael's achievements.

July 16, 1996 - Michael performs a free concert for 60,000 people in Brunei at Jerudong Amusement Park to celebrate the 50th birthday Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the 29th Sultan of Brunei.

July 18, 1996 - Michael arrives in Johannesburg, where he attends a private birthday for President Nelson Mandela.

July 19, 1996 - Michael gives a press conference at Sun City in North West Province of South Africa to announce concert plans in the UK.

July 20, 1996 - Michael visits South African President Nelson Mandela in Pretoria, South Africa.

~Late July 1996 - Michael interviews with MBC (Middle East Broadcasting Center), answering some questions from children, discussing countries that musically influenced him, racism, family wishes, his audiences, collaborating, his recent stay at Sun City, and his "Heal the World Foundation".

August 1996 - Michael resumes the (final production) 'History Tour' rehearsals in San Bernardino, California.

August 25, 1996 - Michael accepts "Bravo" magazine's "Gold Otto Award" and the Platinum Otto Award".

September 3, 1996 - Michael arrives in Prague to do some sightseeing before the launch of his "HIStory World Tour".

September 13, 1996 - Michael visits a state orphanage in Bucharest, Romania prior to his concert before 70,000 in that city. After handing out toys, Michael said, "I wish all the world was here to see this, instead of sending our brothers to the killing fields. This is our future -- children. I love you all so much."

September 14, 1996 - Michael performs in Bucharest, Romania, at Lia Manoliu Stadium for his HIStory World Tour, and talks with actor David Winters from "West Side Story" about a film offer after the show.

September 28/30 and October 2, 1996 - Michael performs in Amsterdam, Netherlands, at the Amsterdam Arena for his HIStory World Tour. David Winters from "West Side Story" attends the show. Michael also launches his own energy soft drink named "Mystery" with help from German businessman Dieter Wiesner, who was introduced to Michael by his longtime bodyguard Wayne Nagin. The peach-flavored drink is free of artifical ingredients, per Michael's request.

Fall 1996 - Michael calls singer Prince for a planned collaboration.

October 7, 1996 - Michael performs in Tunisia, Tunis, at the Stade El Menzah (aka El Menzah Stadium) for his "HIStory World Tour"; he later receives a call from Australian promoter Paul Dainty over the overwhelming response for his upcoming Australian shows.

October 11/13, 1996 - Michael performs in Seoul, South Korea at the Olympic Stadium for his "HIStory World Tour".

October 27/29, 1996 - Michael performs in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Stadium Merdeka for his "HIStory World Tour".

November 1, 1996 - Michael performs in Mumbai, India, at the Andheri Sports Complex for his "HIStory World Tour".

November 4, 1996 - Michael releases a statement on media speculation of his relationship with Debbie Rowe and the conception of their child.

November 5, 1996 - Michael performs in Bangkok, Thailand, at the IMPACT Grounds for his "HIStory World Tour".

~November 6-8, 1996 - Michael interviews with VH1 answering selected questions by viewers.

November 9/11, 1996 - Michael performs in Auckland, New Zealand at the Ericsson Stadium for his "HIStory World Tour".

November 12, 1996 - Michael arrives in Sydney, Australia;

November 13, 1996 - Michael stays in his Shertaon on the Park hotel room, watching a selection of videos, including action adventure and Australian titles; he learns of the 6-year-old burn victim Tjandamurra O'Shane, and plans to meet him the next day. In the evening, Debbie Rowe checks in the hotel.

November 14, 1996 - Michael performs in Sydney, Australia, his first stop on the Australian leg, at Sydney Cricket Ground for the "HIStory World Tour". In lieu of a visit, due to his parent's wishes to avoid the media circus, Michael sends 6-year-old burn victim Tjandamurra O'Shane a personalized card, an autographed copy of his HIStory CD, posters, flowers, and other gifts. Michael sends flowers to backup singer Marva Hicks' sick mother when Marva has to leave on a flight to see her.

November 15, 1996 - Michael marries Debbie Rowe in a private ceremony shortly after midnight in the presidential suite of the Sheraton-on-the-Park Hotel and releases a public statement; they later attend the Australian premiere of 'Ghosts'. (Ghosts Premiere - Around 1:37:00 - http://media.blubrry.com/themjcast/p/www.themjcast.com/episodes/025.mp3)