Stage actor Nicholas Masson

Events in 1996 and 7-8

Events in the world in the birth year of Nicholas Masson

• Chechens capture 2,000 Russians (Jan. 9). Chechnya peace treaty signed (May 27).
• France agrees to end nuclear testing (Jan. 29). Background: nuclear disarmament
• Britain alarmed by an outbreak of "mad cow" disease (March 20 et seq.).
• UN tribunal charges war crimes by Bosnian Muslims and Croats (March 22). Nations pledge $1.23 billion in aid to rebuild Bosnia (April 22).
• South Africa gets new constitution (May 8).
• Israel elects Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister (May 31).
• Iraqis strike at Kurdish enclave (Aug. 31); after warning, US attacks Iraq's southern air defenses (Sept. 2–3).
• Militant Taliban leaders seize Afghan capital of Kabul (Sept. 27).
• Ethnic violence breaks out in Zairian refugee camps (Oct. 13); Clinton approves plan for UN-backed relief mission for 1.2 million Hutu refugees starving in eastern Zaire (Nov. 13). Hundreds of thousands return to Rwanda (Nov. 15–18).

Birthday Nicholas Masson (7-8) in history

• Day 7-8 year 1789: Congress established the U.S. War Department.
• Day 7-8 year 1947: The wooden raft Kon-Tiki, which carried Thor Heyerdahl and five companions more than 4,000 miles, crashed into a reef in the Pacific.
• Day 7-8 year 1959: The United States launched Explorer 6, which sent back a picture of Earth.
• Day 7-8 year 1964: Congress passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, which expanded President Johnson's use of military powers in the Vietnam War.
• Day 7-8 year 1987: Lynne Cox becomes the first person to swim from the United States to the Soviet Union, making the 2.7 mile trip through the frigid waters of the Bering Strait. Cox is surprised by the (relatively) warm welcome she receives from the Soviets.
• Day 7-8 year 1998: U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were bombed, by terrorists. Some 224 were killed and more than 5,500 injured.
• Day 7-8 year 2000: Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Conn., was selected by Al Gore to be the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket.
• Day 7-8 year 2007: Barry Bonds passes Hank Aaron on baseball’s all-time homerun list. The record, however, is discredited by many because of Bond’s alleged steroid use.