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Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York resigns after scandal involving a high-end prostitute; David Paterson becomes acting

Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York resigns after scandal involving a high-end prostitute; David Paterson becomes acting governor

Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American politician and attorney who served as the 54th governor of New York from 2007 until his resignation in 2008 after a prostitution scandal. A member of the Democratic Party, he was also the 63rd attorney general of New York from 1999 to 2006.

Born in the Bronx, Spitzer attended Princeton University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. He began his career as an attorney in private practice with New York law firms before becoming a prosecutor with the office of the New York County (Manhattan) District Attorney. Spitzer defeated Republican incumbent Dennis Vacco in 1998 to become state attorney general, earning a reputation as the "Sheriff of Wall Street" for his efforts to curb corruption in the financial services industry.

Historical Significance

Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American politician and attorney who served as the 54th governor of New York from 2007 until his resignation in 2008 after a prostitution scandal.

Events Before

  1. Adam Air Flight 574 disappears over Indonesia with 102 people on board

    Adam Air Flight 574 disappears over Indonesia with 102 people on board

  2. Bulgarian, Romanian, and Irish become official languages of the European Union, joining 20 other official languages

    On 1 January 2007, Bulgaria and Romania became member states of the European Union (EU) in the fifth wave of EU enlargement. Bulgaria and Romania did not have a referendum related to European Union…

  3. The 110th United States Congress convenes and elects Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House

    Nancy Patricia Pelosi ( pə-LOH-see; née D'Alesandro; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who was the 52nd speaker of the United States House of Representatives, serving from 2007 to 2011...

  4. Apple CEO Steve Jobs announces the iPhone

    Steven Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) was an American businessman, co-inventor, and investor.

  5. "Married ... With Children" actor David Faustino (32) divorces actress Andrea Elmer Faustino (31) due to irreconcilable

    "Married ... With Children" actor David Faustino (32) divorces actress Andrea Elmer Faustino (31) due to irreconcilable differences after 3 years of marriage

Events After

  1. 67 people die and 222 are injured in a nightclub fire at Santika Club in Bangkok, Thailand

    A fireworks accident and nightclub fire occurred on 1 January 2009 in the Santika Club in Ekkamai, Watthana, Bangkok, where New Year celebrations were taking place.

  2. Cristiano Ronaldo is awarded the FIFA World Player of the Year for the first time at a ceremony in Zürich

    Cristiano Ronaldo dos Santos Aveiro, nicknamed CR7, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a forward for and captains both Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr and the Portugal national team.

  3. Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NY

    Chesley Sullenberger lands US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in NYC. All passengers and crew survive in what becomes known as the "Miracle on the Hudson."

  4. Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the

    Barack Obama is inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the office. Joe Biden becomes the 47th Vice President.

  5. International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes ag

    International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur, becoming the first sitting head of state to be indicted

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Gisborne, New Zealand, with a population of approximately 32,754, is the first city in the world to welcome the new Mill

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Euro banknotes and coins become legal tender in twelve of the European Union's member states

There are eight denominations of euro coins, ranging from one cent to two euro (the euro is divided into a hundred cents). The coins first came into use in 2002.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 17, 2008?
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American politician and attorney who served as the 54th governor of New York from 2007 until his resignation in 2008 after a prostitution scandal. A member of the Democratic Party, he was also the 63rd attorney general of New York from 1999 to 2006. Born in the Bronx, Spitzer attended Princeton University and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School.
Why is Governor Eliot Spitzer of New York resigns after scandal involving a high-end... significant?
Eliot Laurence Spitzer is an American politician and attorney who served as the 54th governor of New York from 2007 until his resignation in 2008 after a prostitution scandal.

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March 17 in HistoryYear 2008