2014 Event The U.S. is pressing Iraq to put a new government into place as soon as possible in order to keep the nation from being torn apart by sectarian violence; the U.S. plans to send military advisors but not direct military assistance at this time 2014 Event Telecom company Vodafone reports that certain nations allow authorities direct access to citizen communications data without a warrant; the company is prohibited from revealing the names of these nations 2014 Event The Nigerian government announces that it has located the 270-plus girls abducted by terrorist group Boko Haram, but it cannot rescue the girls yet due to fears that the abductors will kill them if the military attempts a direct confrontation 2014 Event Colombian coffee company Juan Valdez announces plans to go public in a couple of years; in the meantime, the company plans to expand its higher-end coffee shops around the globe in direct competition with Starbucks 2012 Event Physics professor Enzo Di Fabrizio, of Magna Graecia University in Catanzaro, Italy, successfully takes the first direct photograph of DNA 2012 Event For the first time, Curiosity, the Mars rover, discovers what could be determined as direct evidence of a fast-moving stream bed, a prior watersource, on Mars 2012 Event In Tokyo, direct trading begins between the Japanese yuan and the Chinese yuan 2011 Event In a bid to attract international sponsorship, England's Newcastle United F.C. rebrands the St. James' Park stadium as the Sports Direct Arena 2010 Event The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced foreign direct investment into China has risen for the sixth consecutive month, up $8.3 billion year-on-year 2009 Death Billy Mays, famous television pitchman, direct response advertising salesman for 'As Seen on TV' products, CEO, Founder, Mays Promotions, Inc., dies at age 50 1997 Death Princess Caradja-Kretzulesco, royalty, a direct descendent of Prince Vlad the Impaler, who was nicknamed Dracula, dies at 76 1974 Event Northern Ireland is brought under direct rule from Westminster 1972 Event Great Britain imposes direct rule over Northern Ireland 1958 Birthday Billy Mays, born in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, famous television pitchman, direct response advertising salesman for 'As Seen on TV' products, CEO, Founder, Mays Promotions, Inc. 1930 Birthday Jim Rohn, born in Idaho, entrepreneur, author, motivational speaker, joined direct sales organization of John Earl Shoaff, became millionaire by age 31, shared rags to riches story and personal development philosophy with over 4 million people worldwide, authored 17 books, audio, video programs 1924 Event Allies direct Fiume (Rijeka) in Italy 1913 Event 17th amendment (direct election of senators) declared ratified 1913 Event 17th amendment, requiring direct election of senators, ratified 1903 Event 1st direct primary election law in U.S. adopted, by Wisconsin 1900 Birthday Charles Vidor, born in Budapest, Hungary, direct, Rhapsody, Gilda, Cover Girl 1883 Event 1st direct U.S. - Brazil telegraph connection 1876 Event Direct telegraph link established between Britain and New Zealand 1862 Event NY-SF direct telegraphic link forms 1798 Event 1st direct federal tax on states-on dwellings, land and slaves 1765 Event Stamp Act passed; 1st direct British tax on colonists
