Actor John Paul Ruttan

Events in 2001 and 12-5

Events in the world in the birth year of John Paul Ruttan

• Congo president Laurent Kabila assassinated by bodyguard (Jan. 16). Son Joseph Kabila takes over amid continuing civil war.
• Ariel Sharon wins election in Israel (Feb. 6). Right-wing leader chosen overwhelmingly as nation's fifth prime minister in just over five years during worst Israeli-Palestinian violence in years. Background: Middle East.
• The long-simmering resentment of Macedonia's ethnic Albanians erupts into violence in March. The rebels seek greater autonomy within Macedonia. After six months of fighting, a peace agreement is signed (Aug. 13). British-led NATO forces enter the country and disarm the guerrillas. Background: Macedonia and the Balkans.
• U.S. spy plane and Chinese jet collide (April 2); Sino-American relations deteriorate during a standoff. The 24 crew members of the U.S. plane were detained for 11 days and released after the U.S. issued a formal statement of regret.
• Former Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic is delivered to UN tribunal in The Hague to await war-crime trial (June 29).
• Without U.S., 178 nations reach agreement on climate accord, which rescues, though dilutes, 1997 Kyoto Protocol (July 23).
• In response to Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, U.S. and British forces launch bombing campaign on Taliban government and al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Afghanistan (Oct. 7). Bombings continue on a daily basis. Background: Afghanistan.
• Irish Republican Army announces that it has begun to dismantle its weapons arsenal, marking a dramatic leap forward in Northern Ireland peace process (Oct. 23). Background: Northern Ireland Primer.
• At a UN-sponsored summit in Bonn, Germany, Afghani factions meet to create a post-Taliban government (Nov. 27). Hamid Karzai is selected as head of the transitional government (Dec. 5). Background: Who's Who in Afghanistan.
• Taliban regime in Afghanistan collapses after two months of bombing by American warplanes and fighting by Northern Alliance ground troops (Dec. 9).
• Israel condemns the Palestinian Authority as a "terror-supporting entity" and severs ties with leader Yasir Arafat following mounting violence against Israelis (Dec. 3). The Israeli Army begins bombing Palestinian areas. Background: Middle East.

Birthday John Paul Ruttan (12-5) in history

• Day 12-5 year 1870: Manitoba became a province of Canada.
• Day 12-5 year 1932: The body of Charles and Anne Lindbergh's kidnapped baby was found.
• Day 12-5 year 1937: Britain’s King George VI was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London.
• Day 12-5 year 1943: Axis forces in North Africa surrendered.
• Day 12-5 year 1949: The Soviet blockade that prompted the Berlin airlift was ended.
• Day 12-5 year 1970: Harry A. Blackmun was confirmed as a Supreme Court justice.
• Day 12-5 year 2002: Former president Jimmy Carter became the first U.S. president (in or out of office) to visit Fidel Castro's Cuba.
• Day 12-5 year 2008: An estimated 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan Provinces in western China and as many as 68,000 people were killed.
• Day 12-5 year 2012: The 2012 World Expo began in Yeosu, South Korea.