Today in History

NATO forces in Afghanistan attack a Pakistani checkpost in a friendly fire incident, killing 24 soldiers and wounding 13 others.

Republican candidate George W. Bush is certified the winner of Florida’s electoral votes, giving him enough electoral votes to defeat Democrat Al Gore Jr. for the US presidency, despite losing the popular vote.

Tony Blair becomes the first Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to address the Republic of Ireland’s parliament.

At London’s Heathrow Airport, almost 6,800 gold bars worth nearly £26 million stolen from Brinks-MAT vault.

Yasuhiro Nakasone is elected the 71st Japanese prime minister.

Oil deposits equaling OPEC reserves are found in Venezuela.

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme is found guilty of an attempt on President Gerald Ford’s life.

President Eisenhower suffers a minor stroke.

Dale Jarrett, NASCAR driver; won 1999 Winston Cup Series championship.

Velupillai Prabhakaran, founder and leader of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a militant organization that sought to create an independent Tamil state in Sri Lanka.

North Korean and Chinese troops halt a UN offensive.

India becomes a sovereign Democratic republic.

France expels 19 Soviet citizens, charging them with intervention in internal affairs.

The Japanese fleet departs from the Kuril Islands en route to its attack on Pearl Harbor.

Tina Turner, singer, dancer , actress (“What’s Love Got to Do with It”).