2015 Event Animal rights activists lose a case to free two chimpanzees being held for research purposes; the activists argued that the animals are highly intelligent and should be treated as humans with similar legal rights 2014 Event The International Court of Justice at the U.N. agrees that Japanese whaling is conducted for commercial purposes, not scientific research; Japan accepts the order to cease all whaling activities in the Antarctic 2014 Event New York Governor, Mario Cuomo, plans to announce executive action to loosen marijuana laws, allowing use of the drug for medical purposes 2013 Event U.S. Republicans unveil a series of bills designed to prevent government abuse, including the 'STOP IRS Act,' which would allow IRS employees to be fired when they take actions for political purposes 2012 Event The Japanese Coast Guard reports six Chinese Marine Surveillance ships are sighted near the disputed Senkaku Islands; China claims the 'two surveillance ship fleets' are in waters around the islands for purposes of 'patrols and law enforcement' 2010 Event In the U.S., Senators from the Republican Party adopt a bill to ban earmarks, a process of setting aside money in bills for specific purposes specified by legislators 1921 Event President Harding signs Willis Campell Act (anti-beer bill) forbidding doctors prescribing beer or liquor for medicinal purposes 1910 Event Mann Act passed (no women across state lines for immoral purposes) 1878 Event Cyprus ceded by Turkey to Britain for administrative purposes
