Gamer 20percent

Events in 2001 and 15-2

Events in the world in the birth year of 20percent

• 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 20percent (15-2) in history

• Day 15-2 year 1764: The St. Louis was established. But at that time, it was just a French fur trading station.
• Day 15-2 year 1879: President Rutherford Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court.
• Day 15-2 year 1898: USS Maine blew up in Havana harbor, touching off the Spanish-American War.
• Day 15-2 year 1913: The New York Armory Show opened, introducing America to Picasso, Duchamp, and Matisse.
• Day 15-2 year 1933: Chicago Mayor Anton J. Cermak was killed in an assassination attempt on president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami.
• Day 15-2 year 1965: The Maple Leaf Flag officially became the new national flag of Canada.
• Day 15-2 year 1989: More than 100,000 Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan almost 10 years after the USSR invaded the country.
• Day 15-2 year 2002: Olympics officials resolved the judging scandal by awarding Canadian pairs figure skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier a gold medal while allowing the Russians, Elena Berezhnaya and Anton Sikharulidze, to keep their medal.
• Day 15-2 year 2003: Millions of protesters around the world demonstrated against the threat of a U.S. war on Iraq.
• Day 15-2 year 2012: A prison fire in Comayagua, Honduras killed 360.