2015 Event The Japanese Diet enacts a defense policy allowing the nation's troops to aid allies in conflicts that also threaten Japan; Prime Minister Shinzo Abe supports the law, but it is opposed by many who wish to maintain the country's pacifist constitution 2015 Event Pope Francis continues Catholic reforms by changing the marriage annulment process to make it faster and less expensive; earlier this month, the pope also declared that priests may forgive the sin of abortion during next year's Year of Mercy 2015 Event Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledges that the country is aiding the forces of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad with military expertise and equipment; Putin states that troops may also be sent in the future to help fight against ISIL 2015 Event The death toll rises to 104 from a massive explosion three days ago at a warehouse containing hazardous chemicals in the port of Tianjin, China; 720 were also injured in the disaster 2015 Event The German government approves the Greek bailout deal, which was also approved by the Greek parliament earlier this week; German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that chaos would result if the deal did not go through 2015 Event Amazon.com joins eBay and others in removing Confederate flag items from its site after last week's shooting of nine African American church members; though part of U.S. Civil War history, the flag is also seen by many as a symbol of racism 2015 Event Queen Elizabeth II officially celebrates her 89th birthday with a Trooping the Color ceremony; as part of the celebration, the Queen also knighted figures including actor Kevin Spacey and singer Van Morrison 2015 Event Flooding from recent heavy rains in Texas has resulted in over 200 rescues and at least 27 deaths to date; several people have also been reported missing 2015 Event Taylor Swift receives eight awards at the Billboard Music Awards; Pharrell Williams, Meghan Trainor, One Direction, and Sam Smith were also multiple winners at the ceremony 2015 Event Health care and personal security records of 11 million customers have been stolen from Premera Blue Cross; the health care insurer operates mainly in the U.S. states of Washington and Alaska, but customers in other states may also be affected 2015 Event The U.S. will support the Ukraine in its fight against separatist militants by providing $75 million in non-lethal aid in the form of drones, ambulances and radios; Humvees will also be sent under a separate agreement 2015 Event New U.S. rules loosening trade restrictions with Cuba go into effect today, including permission to sell instruments, tools, equipment and supplies to private businesses; U.S. banks will also be given greater freedom to transact with Cuban banks 2015 Event The Swiss National Bank has uncapped the Swiss franc against the euro, resulting in a rise in its currency value from 1.20 to 1.04 francs/euro; the bank also reduced interest rates from -.25% to -.75%, increasing costs to investors who store deposits 2014 Event Ukraine exchanges 222 rebel prisoners for 150 Ukrainian soldiers held by separatist forces; for security reasons, the nation also blockades Crimea, the region annexed by Russia, by stopping bus and train service to and from the area 2014 Event New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announces a ban of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking; the technique, used to extract natural gas and oil, requires injection of chemicals, sand and water at high pressure underground, posing environmental concerns 2014 Event The Vatican will install showers for the homeless in public restrooms on the grounds of St. Peter's Square; Archbishop Konrad Krajewski has also requested several local parishes around Rome to do the same 2014 Event Actor Matt Damon announces that he will return to the 'Bourne' movie franchise, starring in the next film to be released in 2016; interim star Jeremy Renner will also continue his role as Aaron Cross 2014 Event U.S. President Barack Obama provides authorization for military reserves to be sent to West Africa if needed to help respond to the Ebola epidemic; the president also does not see the need to ban travelers from West Africa from entering the U.S. 2014 Event General Motors (GM) issues its 71st recall this year, affecting over 500,000 Cadillac SUVs, Saab SUVs and Chevy Spark cars that may have defective or loose parts; GM is also halting sales of GMC Canyons and Chevy Colorados due to air bag concerns 2014 Event Celine Dion announces that she will not be performing for the indefinite future; the singer will be focusing on taking care of her husband as he recovers from throat cancer surgery; she is also recovering from an illness affecting her vocal cords 2014 Event Russia counters sanctions by the U.S. and the European Union by banning all imports of dairy, fish, meat, fruit and vegetables; Ukrainian flights have also been prohibited from Russian air space 2014 Event U.S. President Barack Obama authorizes air strikes against Islamic State militants for situations in which the forces appear to threaten U.S. personnel; food drops were also carried out along the Syrian border to civilians trapped by the violence 2014 Event Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez is thrown out of the World Cup for biting Italian player Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder; Suarez has also been banned from nine international matches and a four-month suspension from playing 2014 Event Facebook reports that over 90% of its tech employees are Asian or white, while women make up only 15% of tech employees and 31% of all employees; COO Cheryl Sandberg notes that more women are also needed in leadership roles at the company 2014 Event Ukrainian rebels honor the government's week-long cease-fire; peace talks were also initiated between the separatists, the ambassador to Russia and an ex-president of the Ukraine standing in for the current administration 2014 Event Google reveals its self-driving car today; the prototype can drive 25 miles per hour and safely respond to a variety of situations; it should be road-ready sometime after 2016; Ford, Tesla and other firms are also working on self-driving technology 2014 Event The World Trade Organization upheld its November decision to continue banning European imports of seal products on the grounds of concern for the suffering of the hunted animals; the WTO is also reexamining its exception for indigenous hunters 2013 Event Amidst criticism for its lack of help in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, China's 'Peace Ark', a 14,000-ton navy hospital ship, is sent to the Philippines to help its relief efforts'; the country also sent an emergency medical team and a disaster relief team from the Chinese Red Cross 2013 Event The World Health Organization announces that the Novel coronavirus 2012, the newly discovered coronavirus, also referred to as Saudi SARS, can be transmitted from person-to-person contact 2013 Event A court grants Iceland's Blaer Bjarkardottir the right to use her own name; after previously ruling Blaer was only a man's name, the Reykjavik court rules it could also be used as a girl's name 2013 Event Research In Motion, the Canadian manufacturer of wireless devices, releases the Blackberry 10, its newest operating system for Blackberrys; the company also announces two smartphones, the Z10 and Q10 2012 Event The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi is attacked by terrorists; U.S. Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, was killed as well as three others; the Cairo embassy was also attacked 2012 Event King Jong-un, son of King Jong-il, is announced the official Supreme Leader of North Korea; he also now holds the rank of Marshal in the Korean People's Army 2011 Event Phoenix, Arizona is hit by a dust storm, also known as a haboob 2011 Event Researchers reveal two studies showing the antiretroviral drugs prescribed to treat AIDS can also prevent HIV infections 2011 Event Pope Benedict XVI announces the launch of a new Vatican website, news.va; he also performs the first tweet ever made by a pope 2011 Event Exiles in Tibet vote for a new Prime Minister, and also for 43 members of the Tibetan parliament 2010 Event Ali Hassan al-Majid, former Iraqi minister, also known as Chemical Ali, is sentenced to death for the poison gas attack at Halabja 1997 Death G. Harry Stine, writer, Also wrote as Lee Correy, dies at 69 1996 Event New York Yankees set record by coming back from 6-0 in World Series game to beat Atlanta Braves 8-6, also set record of 7th straight road win 1991 Event Greatest extra-inning comeback, Pitts scores 6 in bottom of 11th erasing 5 run Cub lead, Pirates also trailed 7-2 in bottom of 9th 1990 Birthday Joanna Noelle Levesque, also known as JoJo, American Musician 1989 Event Braves Dale Murphy, hits 2 3-run home runs in an inning, 14th man to hit 2 home runs in an inning. Also ties record of 6 RBIs in an inning 1989 Event 59th French Womens Tennis: A Sanchez Vicario beats S Graf (76 36 75) favored Steffi Graf, also 1st Spaniard to win a grand slam title 1989 Event H. J. Heinz, Van Camp Seafood and Bumble Bee Seafood say they would not buy tuna caught in nets that also trap dolphins 1987 Event Yankees blow 11-4 lead but trailing 14-11 Dave Winfield's 8th inning grand slammer beats Toronto 15-14; Mattingly also grand slams 1985 Event Yankee Phil Niekro becomes 18th pitcher to win 300 games and also at 46 becomes oldest to pitch a shut-out beating Toronto 8-0 1983 Event Gaylord Perry joins Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton to reach 3,500 career strikeouts this season, he also wins his 1st game as a Royal 1982 Event Argentina seizes Malvinas, also known as the Falkland Islands 1981 Event Yankee Ron Davis strikes out 8 consecutive Angels, ran record of 13 strikeouts of last 14 faced, also saved Gene Nelsons 1st win, 4-2 1981 Death Joe Louis, also known as the 'Brown bomber', U.S. heavyweight champ 1937 - 1949, dies at 66 1980 Death Colonel Sanders, also known as Harland Sanders, American Celebrity 1978 Birthday Ayumi Hamasaki, also known as "Ayu" by her fans, Japanese Musician 1978 Birthday Tia Mowry, born in Gelhausen, West Germany, also known as Tia Mowry Hardrict, actress, winner of NAACP Image Award, breakout role in sitcom, Sister, Sister 1975 Birthday Linda Cardellini, born in Redwood City, California, actress, known for television comedy series, 'Freaksand Geeks', also for 'ER' television show, and 'Scooby-Doo' films 1975 Event Washington Caps win 1st game on road after 37 straight road loses also 1974 Birthday Nelly, also known as Cornell Haynes, Jr., American Musician 1973 Birthday Mos Def, also known as Dante Terrel Smith, American Musician 1973 Birthday Paul Walker, born in Glendale, California, actor, known for 'The Fast and the Furious' movie, also appeared in films, '2 Fast 2 Furious', 'Joy Ride', 'Eight Below' 1972 Event Leap second day; also in 1973-79, 1987 1972 Birthday Kurupt, born in Long Beach, California, born Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, rapper, also known as 'Kurupt That Kingpin', member of rap group, Tha Dogg Pound 1972 Event 1st leap second day; also 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985 1971 Birthday Big Punisher, also known as Big Pun and Christopher Rios, American Musician 1971 Birthday Mary J. Blige, born in The Bronx, New York City, New York, also known as Brook-Lynn, singer, songwriter, record producer, rhythm and blues, soul, hip hop genres, 26-time Grammy Award nominee, has sold over 48 million albums worldwide 1969 Birthday Jay Z, also known as Shawn Corey Carter, American Musician 1969 Birthday P. J. Harvey, also known as Polly Jean Harvey, British Musician 1968 Death Weegee, also known as Arthur Fellig, American Photographer 1968 Birthday Charlie Sexton, born in San Antonio, Texas, musician, singer, songwriter, blues, folk, rock genres, guitarist for Bob Dylan's backing band, also played with Arc Angels band 1967 Birthday Rick Wilkins, born in Jacksonville, Florida, Richard Wilkins, baseball player, catcher, played Major League teams San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, also played for Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets 1966 Birthday Shirley Manson, born in Edinburgh, Scotland, actress, musician, keyboardist, lead singer, Garbage rock band, also performed with Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie 1965 Birthday Michael Diamond, also known as Mike D, American Musician 1957 Birthday Tom Candiotti, born in Walnut Creek, California, pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, also played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angelese Dodgers, and the Oakland Athletics 1956 Birthday Mark Mendoza, born in Long Island, New York, born Mark Glickman, known as Mark 'The Animal' Mendoza, bassist, songwriter, musician, member of band, Twisted Sister, also performed with The Dictators, Blackfoot, genres include hard rock, shank rock 1955 Birthday Jane Siberry, born in Toronto, Canada, singer, songwriter, also known as 'Issa', hits include, 'I Muse Aloud', 'One More Color', 'Calling All Angels' 1954 Event Yank pitcher Tom Morgan ties record by hitting 3 batters in 1 inning This was also Bobby Brown's last game; he retired to become a doctor 1953 Event Despite Johnny Mize 2,000th hit, Yankees lose ending 18 game win streak and also ending St. Louis Brown 14 game losing streak 1953 Event "Amos 'n Andy," TV Comedy, also radio from '29; last aired on CBS 1952 Event Giants Bob Elliot is ejected for arguing a strike, Bobby Hoffman complete his at bat, he strikes out and is also ejected for arguing 1952 Birthday Glenn Hughes, born in Cannock, England, bassist, vocalist, member of Black Sabbath, also played with Trapeze, Deep Purple 1949 Death G. I. Gurdjieff, mystic, spiritual teacher, created 'The Work' idea, representing work on oneself, also called, the Fourth Way, dies at age 83, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France 1949 Event "Dragnet" premieres on NBC radio; also a TV series in 1951 and 1967 1947 Birthday Elton John, born in Pinner, England, also known as Reginald Kenneth Dwight, singer 'Rocketman' and 'Candle in the Wind' 1947 Birthday David Bowie, born in London, England, singer and actor, Major Tom, Ziggy Stardust, also known as David Robert Hayward-Jones 1944 Event Detroit Red Wings score 15 goals against New York Rangers and NHL record 37 points, also most consecutive goals and most lopsided game 15-0 1938 Event Artur Seyss-Inquart replaces Kurt von Schuschnigg as Chancellor of Austria; German troops also entered the country 1934 Event Fenway Park catches fire for 2nd time (May 8th 1926 also) 1933 Birthday Arif Melikov, born in Baku, Azerbaijan, name also Arif Malikov, Soviet composer, nationally acclaimed for composition Legend of Love whose ballet is among the finest works to emerge from the Soviet Union 1931 Birthday Bill Gilbert, born in Washington D.C., sports author, They Also Served, Big E 1928 Event Cleveland Indians score 17 in 1st 2 inns to beat Yankees 24-6 at Dunn Field they also set a record with 24 singles in 1 game 1923 Event New York Giants and New York Yankees become 1st teams to play each other for 3 consecutive World Series, also 1st played at Yankee Stadium 1921 Birthday H. C. Artmann, born in Vienna, Australia, born Hans Carl Artmann, also known as Ib Hansen, writer, poet, celebrated for his early Viennese poems 1920 Event 1 Acre Park also known as Baby Park in the Bronx renamed Melrose Park 1916 Event Codell, Kansas hit by tornado (also on same date in 1917 and 1918) 1908 Birthday Bill Merritt, cricketer, early New Zealand Test leg-spinner, also Northants 1907 Event Cards Ed Konetchy steals home twice and Joe Delahanty also steals home for record 3 steals of home (vs Boston) 1904 Event Boston pitchers achieve 148 complete games-an AL record, also record for total complete games AL 1,098, NL 1,089 1900 Death Friedrich Nietschze, philosopher (Also sprach Zarathustra), dies at 55 1896 Event "Also Sprach Zarathustra" (Thus Spake Zarathustra) debuts in Frankfurt 1896 Event Whitcomb Judson, Chicago, patents a hookless fastening, also known as the zipper 1866 Birthday G. I. Gurdjieff, born in Alexandropol, Armenia, mystic, spiritual teacher, created 'The Work' idea, representing work on oneself, also called, the Fourth Way 1859 Event Jules Leotard performs 1st Flying Trapeze circus act (Paris) He also designed garment that bears his name 1836 Event HMS Beagle and Charles Darwin reach Diemen's Land, also known as Tasmania, Australia
