TV actor Braden Fitzgerald

Events in 2002 and 8-8

Events in US in the birth year of Braden Fitzgerald

• President Bush's first State of the Union address vows to expand the fight on terrorism and labels Iran, Iraq, and North Korea "an axis of evil" (Jan. 29).
• Kenneth L. Lay, chairman of bankrupt energy trader Enron, resigns; company under federal investigation for hiding debt and misrepresenting earnings (Jan. 24). Background: 2002 News of the Nation
• U.S. withdraws from International Court treaty (May 6).
• FBI lawyer Coleen Rowley criticizes FBI for thwarting terrorist efforts in a letter to the FBI director (May 21).
• U.S. abandons 31-year-old Antiballistic Missile treaty (June 13). Background: 2001 News of the Nation
• Bush announces change in Middle East policy: U.S. will not recognize an independent Palestinian state until Yasir Arafat is replaced (June 24).
• Bush signs corporate reform bill (July 30) in response to a spate of corporate scandals: Enron, Arthur Andersen, Tyco, Qwest, Global Crossing, ImClone, and Adelphia, among others, were convicted or placed under federal investigation for various misadventures in fraud and crooked accounting. Background: 2002 News of the Nation
• Pennsylvania miners rescued after spending 77 hours in a dark, flooded mine shaft (July 28).
• Bush addresses United Nations, calling for a "regime change" in Iraq (Sept. 12).
• Snipers prey upon DC suburbs, killing ten and wounding others (Oct. 2–24). Police arrest two sniper suspects, John Allen Muhammad and John Lee Malvo (Oct. 24).
• Republicans retake the Senate in midterm elections; gain additional House seats (Nov. 5). Background: 2002 News of the Nation
• Bush signs legislation creating cabinet-level Department of Homeland Security (Nov. 25).
• Boston archbishop Cardinal Bernard Law resigns as a result of the Catholic Church's sexual abuse scandals and cover-up of priest-child molestation. (Dec. 13). Background: 2002 News of the Nation

Birthday Braden Fitzgerald (8-8) in history

• Day 8-8 year 1588: British naval forces attacked the Armada fleet, permanently crippling the "invincible" Spanish fleet.
• Day 8-8 year 1786: Dr. Michael-Gabriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat became the first people to climb Mont Blanc.
• Day 8-8 year 1876: Thomas Edison patented the mimeograph machine.
• Day 8-8 year 1900: The first Davis Cup tennis tournament began at the Longwood Cricket Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
• Day 8-8 year 1963: In "The Great Train Robbery," some 15 thieves robbed the Glasgow-to-London mail train, making off with more than $6 million in cash.
• Day 8-8 year 1969: Sharon Tate, wife of director Roman Polanski, and four others were murdered by members of Charles Manson's "family."
• Day 8-8 year 1974: President Nixon announced he would resign the following day as a result of the Watergate scandal.
• Day 8-8 year 2008: The Summer Olympic Games opened in Beijing, China.