2015 Event Barack Obama becomes the first U.S. president to address the African Union, which includes 54 nations as members; the president emphasized the importance of growing economies, reducing corruption, increasing education, and instituting democracy 2015 Event Greece continues negotiations with its creditors after refusing proposed austerity measures; however, the Greek government proposal includes reforms similar to those rejected by voters in a recent referendum 2014 Event The cast has been announced for the next film in the "Star Wars" series, due out in 2015; the cast includes some original cast members as well as actors new to the franchise 2014 Event The opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Paralympics is held in Sochi; the celebration includes a variety of performing artists in music and dance 2014 Event U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry criticizes Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, for legislation he signed last week to ban same-sex marriage and criminalize gay rights groups and their activities; the law includes penalties of up to 14 years imprisonment 2013 Event Britain agrees to help Syria destroy over 165 tons of chemical weapons; the stockpile includes substances that could be used to make highly toxic nerve agents 2013 Event The Chang'e 3 lunar probe is launched by China; the probe, headed for the moon, includes a robotic lander and the Yutu, Jade Rabbit buggy 2012 Event George Lucas sells Lucasfilm Ltd. to the Walt Disney Company for $4.05 billion; the sale includes the rights to the 'Indiana Jones' and 'Star Wars' franchises 2012 Event 'Time' magazine includes 'Awaara' on its list of All-Time 100 Greatest Films 2011 Event The U.S. National Football League ratifies a new collective bargaining agreement which includes provisions for human growth hormone tests 1996 Death Walter Hyatt, singer, songwriter, founder, The Contenders, work includes album 'Some Unfinished Business', dies at 46 in a plane crash 1986 Death Corita Kent, artist, educator, mediums include silkscreen, serigraphy, producing fine art with messages of love and peace, famous work includes the 1985 Love Samp and Rainbow Swash, dies of cancer 1979 Event No Nukes Concert at MSG includes Springsteen and Crosby, Stills and Nash 1961 Birthday Michael Torke, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, composer, style includes jazz, minimalism, most popular work, 'Javelin', composed for 1996 Summer Olympics 1960 Birthday Bono, born in Dublin, Ireland, born Paul David Hewson, Irish musician, activist, lead vocalist for rock band U2, 54th most successful songwriter in U.K. singles chart history, activism includes Product Red and the ONE campaign 1949 Birthday Walter Hyatt, born in America, musician, singer, songwriter, founder, The Contenders, work includes album 'Some Unfinished Business' 1947 Birthday John Reid, born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, politician, Member of Parliament for Airdrie and Shotts, public service includes Secretary of State for Scotland, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 1942 Birthday Daniel Dennett, born in Boston, Massachusetts, philosopher, atheist, focus of study includes philosophy of biology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, relative to cognitive science and evolutionary biology 1927 Birthday Boris Porena, born in Rome, Italy, Italian composer, didactical expert, studied under Goffredo Petrassi, influenced by neoclassical poetics, wrote texts about music including Musica-Societa which includes social and political analysis 1918 Birthday Corita Kent, born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, artist, educator, mediums include silkscreen, serigraphy, producing fine art with messages of love and peace, famous work includes the 1985 Love Samp and Rainbow Swash 1894 Event Congress passes Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act, which includes a graduated income tax later struck down by the Supreme Court
