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December 1 in Middle East History

By Pierre Tristam, About.com

Benazir bhutto

Benazir Bhutto campaigning in November 2007, days before her assassination in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Warrick Page/Getty Images

1973: David Ben-Gurion, founder of Israel, dies. He was Israel’s first prime minister (1948-54) and served again from 1955 to 1963.

1986: U.S. President Ronald Reagan says the Department of Justice investigation into the Iran-Contra scandal “is continuing with my full support and cooperation. And if they determine an independent counsel is called for, I would welcome that appointment.”

1988: Benazir Bhutto is appointed prime minister of Pakistan when her Pakistan Peoples Party wins parliamentary elections. Bhutto serves until 1990, when she resigns in a haze of improprieties. She would serve again as prime minister between 1993 and 1996, and was assassinated in 2007.

1988: The World Health Organization declares Dec. 1 World Aids Day. UNAIDS is created to coordinate the United Nation's various agencies in the battle against AIDS.

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