================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 1, 2001 Danaher Corporation (Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Delaware 1-8089 59-1995548 (State or other (Commission File (I.R.S. Employer jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 12th Floor 20037 Washington, D.C. 20006-1813 (Zip Code) (Address of Principal Executive Offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (202) 828-0850 ================================================================================ ITEM 5. Other Events. On August 1, 2001, Danaher Corporation, a Delaware Corporation ("Danaher"), announced that it had made a merger proposal to Cooper Industries, Inc. Danaher issued a press release announcing the proposal on August 1, 2001. The information contained in the press release is incorporated herein by reference. The press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. ITEM 7. Exhibits. EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION ----------- ----------- 99.1 Press Release, dated August 1, 2001 -2- SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. Danaher Corporation (Registrant) Date: August 1, 2001 By: /s/ Christopher C. McMahon Name: Christopher C. McMahon Title: Vice President - Controller -3- EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION ----------- ----------- 99.1 Press Release, dated August 1, 2001 -4-