On this day: October 26
POSTED: 12:17 PM PDT Oct 25, 2012
UPDATED: 11:00 PM PDT Oct 25, 2012
The Erie Canal opens, the Pony Express closes, Wyatt Earp shoots it out in Tombstone, "Baby Fae" gets a baboon heart, and the Patriot Act is signed into law, all on this day.
Public domain
2001: President George W. Bush signs the USA PATRIOT Act into law. The act, as a response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, significantly reduces restrictions in law enforcement agencies' gathering of intelligence within the United States, including the expansion of the scope and availability of wiretapping and surveillance orders. The title of the act is a 10-letteracronymm that stands for Uniting (and) Strengthening America (by) Providing Appropriate Tools Required (to) Intercept (and) Obstruct Terrorism.
