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1972 - California Supreme Court abolishes death penalty.

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1974 - NASA launches Italian satellite San Marcos C-2 (235/843 km).

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1974 - US ambassador to India Daniel Moynihan presents US$2,046,700,000 check.

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1979 - -52 degrees F (-47 degrees C), Old Forge, New York (state record).

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1983 - Thirteen people are killed in an attempted robbery in Seattle, Washington.

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1988 - Anthony M Kennedy sworn in as US Supreme Court Justice.

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1992 - In New Hampshire, U.S. President George H.W. Bush defeats Pat Buchanan in the Republican primary; Paul Tsongas leads the Democratic candidates.

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1995 - Disney releases the film The Lion King on videocassette in the US, for US$26.99.

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1998 - Robert Merrill, songwriter ("Funny Girl"), commits suicide at age 76.

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1998 - Two white separatists are arrested in Nevada, accused of plotting biological warfare on New York City subways.

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