On this day — December 6

For the first time in 17 years, the United Socialist Party of Venezuela loses its majority in parliament.

v. Napster, Inc.: The Recording Industry Association of America sues the peer-to-peer file-sharing service Napster, alleging copyright infringement.

Hugo Chávez is victorious in presidential elections.

the first protease inhibitor to treat HIV/AIDS. Within 2 years of its approval, annual deaths from AIDS in the United States fall from over 50,000 to approximately 18,000.

India, is demolished, leading to widespread riots causing the death of over 1,500 people.

In Croatia, forces of the Serb-dominated Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) heaviest bombardment of Dubrovnik during a siege of seven months.

abandoned by its pilot after an on-board fire, crashed into a high school near Bologna, Italy, killing 12 students and injuring 88 other people.

Marc Lépine, an anti-feminist gunman, murders 14 young women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal.

The Irish National Liberation Army bombs a pub frequented by British soldiers in Ballykelly, Northern Ireland, killing eleven soldiers and six civilians.

although it is not recognized by any other country.

Fleeing from the police, a Provisional IRA unit takes a British couple hostage in their flat on Balcombe Street, London, beginning a six-day siege.