August 2013 Current Events: U.S. News
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Here are the key events in United States news for the month of August 2013.
Minnesota and Rhode Island Begin Issuing Same-Sex Marriage Licenses (Aug. 1): Two more states, Minnesota and Rhode Island, begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples this month. To see all the states that have legalized same-sex marriage, go here.
Bulger Found Guilty of Racketeering, Extortion, Conspiracy and Murder (Aug. 12): Notorious Boston gangster James (Whitey) Bulger is found guilty of 31 of the 32 charges he faced, including murder, extortion, money laundering, drug dealing and possession of weapons. Bulger, at age 83, faces a sentence of life in prison, plus thirty years. His sentencing is scheduled for November 13.
Manning Sentenced to 35 Years for Leaking U.S. Files (Aug. 21): Private Bradley Manning, age 25, is sentenced to 35 years in prison for leaking over 700,000 U.S. government files to WikiLeaks, files that contained classified U.S. military activities. It is the longest sentence ever given in the U.S. involving leaked government data to the public. Private Manning can be up for parole in seven years, according to his attorney. (Aug. 22): The day after his sentencing, Manning announces that he is female and wants to be referred to from now on as Chelsea. The announcement is made during an appearance on the Today show by David E. Coombs, Manning's defense lawyer. Coombs makes the announcement by reading Manning's written statement. In the statement, Manning writes: "As I transition into this next phase of my life, I want everyone to know the real me. I am Chelsea Manning. I am a female. Given the way that I feel, and have felt since childhood, I want to begin hormone therapy as soon as possible. I hope that you will support me in this transition. I also request that, starting today, you refer to me by my new name and use the feminine pronoun."
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