Photo model Duong Thi Than Men

Events in 2003 and 12-9

Events in the world in the birth year of Duong Thi Than Men

• North Korea withdraws from treaty on the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons (Jan. 10).
• In State of the Union address, Bush announces that he is ready to attack Iraq even without a UN mandate (Jan. 28). (For an account of the U.S. build-up to war in Iraq, see News of the Nation, 2003.)
• Ariel Sharon elected Israeli prime minister (Jan. 29).
• Nine-week general strike in Venezuela calling for President Chavez's resignation ends in defeat (Feb. 2).
• U.S. Secretary of State Powell presents Iraq war rationale to UN, citing its WMD as imminent threat to world security (Feb. 5).
• U.S. and Britain launch war against Iraq (March 19). See also Iraq war timeline.
• Baghdad falls to U.S. troops (April 9).
• First Palestinian prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, sworn in (April 29).
• U.S.-backed "road map" for peace proposed for Middle East (April 30). Background
• The U.S. declares official end to combat operations in Iraq (May 1).
• Terrorists strike in Saudi Arabia, killing 34 at Western compound; Al-Qaeda suspected (May 12).
• Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi again placed under house arrest by military regime (May 30).
• International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) discovers Iran's concealed nuclear activities and calls for intensified inspections (June 18).
• Palestinian militant groups announce ceasefire toward Israel (June 29).
• Liberia's autocratic president Charles Taylor forced to leave civil-war ravaged country (Aug. 11). Background
• NATO assumes control of peacekeeping force in Afghanistan (Aug. 11). Background
• Libya accepts blame for 1988 bombing of flight over Lockerbie, Scotland; agrees to pay $2.7 billion to the families of the 270 victims (Aug. 15).
• Suicide bombing destroys UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing 24, including top envoy Sergio Vieira de Mello (Aug. 19).
• Palestinian suicide bombing in Jerusalem kills 20 Israelis, including 6 children (Aug. 19).
• After Israel retaliates for suicide bombing by killing top member of Hamas, militant Palestinian groups formally withdraw from cease-fire in effect since June 29 (Aug. 24).
• Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas resigns; "road map" to peace effectively collapses (Sept. 6). Background
• The Bush administration reverses policy, agreeing to transfer power to an interim Iraqi government in early 2004 (Nov. 14).
• Suicide bombers attack two synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 25 (Nov. 15).
• Another terrorist attack in Istanbul kills 26 (Nov. 20). Al-Qaeda suspected in both. See suspected al-Qaeda terrorist attacks.
• Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze resigns after weeks of protests (Nov. 23).
• Paul Martin succeeds Jean Chretien as Canadian prime minister (Dec. 12).
• Saddam Hussein is captured by American troops (Dec. 13).
• Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi announces he will give up weapons program (Dec. 19).

Birthday Duong Thi Than Men (12-9) in history

• Day 12-9 year 1609: Explorer Henry Hudson began his exploration of the river that is now named after him.
• Day 12-9 year 1953: Future President John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier.
• Day 12-9 year 1977: South African black civil rights leader Steven Biko died while in police custody.
• Day 12-9 year 1992: Dr. Mae Carol Jemison became the first black woman in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour .
• Day 12-9 year 1999: Indonesia announced it would allow an international peacekeeping force to restore order to East Timor.