US terror center reports 3000+ terror attacks worldwide in 2004 News
US terror center reports 3000+ terror attacks worldwide in 2004

[JURIST] Under a new, broader definition of terror attacks, the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) [executive order establishing NCTC] announced Tuesday there were 3,192 such attacks worldwide in 2004 resulting in 28,433 people killed, wounded or kidnapped. Under the old definition, the center had reported in April [press briefing transcript; NCTC report, PDF] that there 651 significant international attacks and 9,000 victims. The new figures include politically motivated violence carried out within a country, while previously a victim from another country was necessary. Another change removes the $10,000 damage or serious injury requirement to be classified as an attack. The new figures do not count attacks against US troops in Iraq, as they are considered combatants. A new public, searchable database went online Wednesday to track terrorism around the world [NCTC Worldwide Incidents Tracking System], but NCTC interim director John Brennan cautioned the database was not "black and white and perfect" and that terrorist acts must be classified on a case-by-case basis. AP has more.

THIS DAY @ LAW

Indian National Congress founded

The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded on December 28, 1885 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India. In subsequent decades, the so-called Congress Party would advocate for Indian independence from the UK, which was eventually achieved in 1947. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, was elected as a member of the INC. Learn more about the history and founding of the Indian National Congress.

Congress recognized Pledge of Allegiance

On December 28, 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance and encouraged its recitation in schools. The Pledge was supposedly written in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister, to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus Day. The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954. The revised version of the Pledge was the subject of litigation before the United States Supreme Court originally brought by Michael Newdow, a parent who unsuccessfully objected to his daughter's school district policy requiring daily recitation of the Pledge. The court ruled that Newdow had no standing.

Nepal ends monarchy, establishes republic

On December 28, 2007, the Kingdom of Nepal's interim parliament ended the country's monarchy and established the Republic of Nepal. Free elections were held on April 10 of the following year to elect a Constituent Assembly.

Learn more about the rise of democracy in Nepal.