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Other Notable Events, February 17

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Published in History & Quotes

In 2003, when security guards used pepper spray to break up a fight at a packed Chicago social club the ensuing panic by patrons resulted in 21 deaths as the crowd stampeded for the exits.

In 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush nominated John Negroponte to be the first director of national intelligence.

In 2006, more than 1,000 people were killed in a mudslide that covered a village on Leyte in the central Philippines.

In 2007, 22-year-old Prince Harry of England was ordered to the front lines in Iraq along with his British army unit. He didn't go, however, since publicity about his presence was deemed a potential danger to his unit.

In 2008, the province of Kosovo declared independence from Serbia as thousands of ethnic Albanians celebrated in the streets but some others resorted to violent protest. The United States and several other nations, including Britain, Germany, and France, recognized Kosovo as a sovereign and independent state.

Also in 2008, a suicide bomber attacked a crowded dogfight near Kandahar in Afghanistan, killing about 80 people, including a local police chief, and injuring nearly 100.

 

In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus package into law, hoping to create 3.5 million jobs for Americans in the next two years. Most Republican lawmakers argued it contained too much pork-barrel spending and not enough tax cuts.

Also in 2009, General Motors and Chrysler asked for an additional $14 billion from the government to keep from going bankrupt. That made their total request to $39 billion.

In 2011, the British government advised same-sex couples they can form civil partnerships in church if they wish. A spokesman said Britain also was considering rewriting the law on marriage.

In 2012, the U.S. Congress approved an extension of the 2 percent payroll tax cut to run for the rest of the year. The measure also financed federal unemployment benefits and maintained Medicare rates to doctors.


Copyright 2013 by United Press International

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