January 2001 News and Events

Updated July 10, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

World

Israelis Rally in Jerusalem (Jan. 8): Religious and nationalist groups gather to “pledge allegiance” to the Holy City and protest an American plan for its division.
Iran Sentences Reformists (Jan. 13): Metes harsh jail terms to several leaders and a prominent journalist for attending “un-Islamic” conference in Germany.
Congo President Assassinated (Jan. 16): Laurent Kabila shot dead by bodyguard. He had overthrown dictator Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997 but led country into increasing instability and a brutal civil war.
Britain Outlaws Fox Hunting (Jan. 17): Parliament votes to ban traditional sport despite opposition.
Pope Appoints New Cardinals (Jan. 21): John Paul II names a record 37, including three Americans, in move to shape future of Roman Catholic Church. (Jan. 28): In unexpected move, pontiff appoints seven more cardinals.
Libyan Convicted in Flight 103 Bombing (Jan. 31): Scottish court finds Abdelbaset Ali Mohmed al-Megrahi, an intelligence officer, guilty of murder in deaths of 270 over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988. Court convened in Netherlands. A second defendant is released. In Washington, White House says verdict will not end sanctions on Libya.

Nation

Bush Names Democrat to Cabinet (Jan. 2): Fills cabinet by picking Norman Mineta, Clinton's commerce secretary, to head Department of Transportation.
INS Moves to Protect Jailed Immigrants (Jan. 2): Agency sets new standards in response to complaints and lawsuits concerning alleged mental abuse of prisoners.
Logging of Oldest Trees Banned (Jan. 8): Head of Clinton's Forest Service halts harvesting of old-growth timber on public lands.
Bush Cabinet Choice Withdraws (Jan. 9): Linda Chavez withdraws her nomination to be labor secretary after admitting to providing shelter and financial assistance to an illegal immigrant in the early 1990s.
Clinton Presents Final Message (Jan. 14): Departing president urges Congress to enact broad program to promote racial unity between whites and minorities.
Clinton Settles Long Legal Battle (Jan. 19): Forges deal with Independent Counsel Robert W. Ray to avoid a possible indictment by admitting that he gave false testimony about relationship with White House intern. He also agrees to give up law license for five years.
In Final Days, Clinton Issues 140 Pardons (Jan. 20): List includes Marc Rich, billionaire fugitive financier, and other prominent figures.
George W. Bush Sworn In as 43rd President (Jan. 20): In inaugural speech he plans to unite nation after one of most-disputed elections in history. He says “civility is not a tactic or a sentiment” but “a choice of trust over cynicism.”
Bush Bars Abortion Aid Overseas (Jan. 22): Moves to deny federal funds to groups that provide abortion counseling or help women to have abortions.
Gore Says He Plans to Teach (Jan. 24): Defeated Democratic candidate to take posts at three universities—Middle Tennessee State, Fisk, and Columbia. He also plans to write book with his wife, Tipper.
Bush Seeks to Fund Church Groups that Offer Social Services (Jan. 28): Sets up first federal office to promote integration of religious and government programs.

Business/Science/Society

Federal Reserve Cuts Rates (Jan. 3): Alan Greenspan reduces rates by one half a percentage point to stem an economic slowdown. (Jan. 31): Fed slashes rates another half a percentage point. More cuts expected.
Louisiana Ex-Governor Sentenced (Jan. 8): U.S. judge sentences Edwin W. Edwards, 73, to 10 years in prison and fines him $250,000 for extortion from casinos.
AOL–Time Warner Merger Approved (Jan. 11): F.C.C. sanctions creation of world's largest media business but imposes conditions to prevent monopoly.
Earthquake Rocks Central America (Jan. 13 et seq.): Landslide buries hundreds of houses in El Salvador. (Jan. 17): Death toll reaches 700. Hundreds missing.
Oil Spill Threatens Pacific Wildlife (Jan. 16 et seq.): Tanker rams reef off San Cristobal Island in the Galápagos. Spill estimated 144,000 gallons. Rescue crews struggle to prevent environmental disaster.
Power Crisis Hurts California Business (Jan. 19): Workers and consumers also suffer from wide interruptions at major electrical plants.
Earthquake Kills Thousands in India (Jan. 26 et seq.): Massive temblor, registering 6.9 on scientific scale, rocks subcontinent. Thousands missing. (Jan. 29): Search for survivors gives way to excavating the dead. Homes and other buildings in ruins.