November 22, 2003

November 22, 2003

• In Tbilisi, Georgia, opponents of President Eduard Shevardnadze seize the parliament building and demand the president's resignation. Opposition leader Mikhail Saakashvili vows to "trample" the country's leadership following unrest over disputed election results. Shevardnadze denounces what he calls an attempted coup and declares a state of emergency. [1]
• The United States tests the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb or (MOAB), the world's largest non-nuclear bomb, in Florida. [2] [3]
• Occupation of Iraq:
  • Car bombs outside police stations in the towns of Khan Bani Saad and Baquba, north of Baghdad, detonate around 08h local time (0500 UTC), killing upwards of 18 people. [4]
  • A cargo plane belonging to courier company DHL makes an emergency landing at Baghdad airport after being hit by a surface-to-air missile. [5] Commercial flights in and out of the airport are suspended. [6]
• At 5:51 AM, the United States House of Representatives passes the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act by a vote of 220-215, as fifteen Democrats change their votes. Three hours earlier the same bill had failed, 211-222.
• Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo apologizes for the 70,000 people killed in the 15-year battle with the Shining Path rebel movement. He promises to punish members of Armed Forces who were responsible for many abuses. [7]
• 2003 Rugby World Cup: Regular time in a dramatic final match ends in a 14-14 tie. England finally defeat Australia 20-17 to win the William Webb Ellis Cup – the first time it has been won by a Northern Hemisphere team. [8] [9]
• The Heritage Classic is played in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, the first outdoor ice hockey games in the history of the National Hockey League. Over 50,000 spectators watch the two games. [10]

• The last time the University of Michigan defeated The Ohio State University in NCAA football.