Tag: This Day in History
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This Day in History | 1970 Ian Smith declares Rhodesia a republic
The Prime Minister of Rhodesia, Ian Smith, has declared his country a republic, cutting its last link with the British Crown. The new Rhodesian Republic, came ... -
This Day in History | 1990 De Klerk dismantles apartheid in South Africa
The President of South Africa has lifted the 30-year ban on leading anti-apartheid group the African National Congress. In a televised speech at the opening of ... -
This Day in History | 2001 ‘Internet twins’ taken into care
The American twin girls at the centre of an internet adoption scandal have been seized from a hotel in north Wales and taken into care. The ... -
This Day in History | 1974 New speed limit to curb fuel use
British drivers must adhere to reduced speed limits from midnight tonight as the government tries to save fuel. Speed limits on motorways will remain 70mph (112kph), ... -
This Day in History | 1975 Attack on British vessels heightens Cod War
An Icelandic gunboat has opened fire on unarmed British fishery support vessels in the North Atlantic Sea, it is reported. The violent clash left the Icelandic ... -
This Day in History | 1980 John Lennon shot dead
Former Beatle John Lennon has been shot dead by an unknown gunman who opened fire outside the musician’s New York apartment. The 40-year-old was shot several ... -
This Day in History | 1941 Japanese planes bomb Pearl Harbor
Japan has launched a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and has declared war on Britain and the United States. ... -
This Day in History | 1950 Pyongyang taken as UN retreats
Chinese troops have entered the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, as United Nations forces are pushed steadily back towards South Korea. The North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) ... -
This Day in History | 1975 – Spanish dictator Franco dies
General Francisco Franco, who ruled Spain with an authoritarian hand for 39 years, has died at the age of 82. He had been ill for five ... -
This Day in History | 1989 Police crush Prague protest rally:
Riot police in Czechoslovakia have arrested hundreds of people taking part in a protest march. More than 15,000 people, mostly students, took part in the demonstration, ... -
This Day in History | 1978 Catholics mourn Pope’s death
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church has died after the shortest papal reign in history. Pope John Paul, the surprise candidate elected just 33 days ... -
This Day in History | 1964 Kennedy murder was ‘no conspiracy’
There was no conspiracy surrounding the death of President Kennedy but there were serious failures by those responsible for his protection, according to a government report. ... -
This Day in History | 1952 Charlie Chaplin comes home
World famous film actor and director Charlie Chaplin has returned to England for the first time in 21 years. He arrived with his wife Oona – ... -
This Day in History | 1952 US Immigration slams door on Chaplin
The United States is to prevent the film legend, Charlie Chaplin, from returning to his Hollywood home until he has been investigated by the Immigration Services. ... -
This Day in History | 1964 The Sun newspaper is born
The Sun newspaper is published today for the first time. It is replacing the Mirror Group’s Daily Herald, which has been losing readers and advertising revenue ... -
This Day in History | 2003 Johnny Cash dies
One of the great legends of country music, Johnny Cash, has died aged 71. His manager, Lou Robin, said he was taken ill and rushed to ... -
This Day in History | 1971 Sailor’s record ‘wrong way’ voyage
A British man has become the first to sail the world non-stop in the “wrong” direction – east to west – against the prevailing winds and ... -
This Day in History | 1939 Germany invades Poland
German forces have invaded Poland and its planes have bombed Polish cities, including the capital, Warsaw. The attack comes without any warning or declaration of war. ... -
This Day in History | 1962 Abortion mother returns home
An American mother-of-four is on her way home amid a storm of controversy after being given a legal abortion in Sweden. Sherri Finkbine, a TV presenter ... -
This Day in History | 2000 Last prisoners leave the Maze
Nearly 80 men imprisoned for terrorist offences have been freed from the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. The release of the 52 republican and 26 loyalist ... -
This Day in History | 1996 Bomb rocks Atlanta Olympics
A bomb has exploded at a crowded concert in Atlanta, Georgia, the city hosting this year’s Olympic Games. Two people are reported to have been killed ... -
This Day in History | 2003 Saddam’s sons killed in gun battle
The United States says the two sons of Saddam Hussein, Uday and Qusay, have been killed by US troops in Iraq. The bodies of the two ... -
This Day in History | 2000 Sarah Payne’s body found
Police have confirmed the body they found in a West Sussex field yesterday is that of missing eight-year old Sarah Payne. A farm worker found the ... -
This Day in History | 2000 New Harry Potter most magical yet
The latest story about boy wizard Harry Potter has broken all publishing records. The fourth instalment of JK Rowling’s series has been released simultaneously on both ... -
This Day in History | 1969 Brian Jones died of ‘drink and drugs’
Former Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones drowned after taking a cocktail of drink and drugs, an inquest has been told. A verdict of death by misadventure ... -
This Day in History | 1997 Mars buggy starts exploring Red Planet
Nasa scientists have freed a robot from the space probe Mars Pathfinder, allowing it to begin its exploration of the Red Planet at last. The rover, ... -
This Day in History | 1954 BBC launches daily TV news
The BBC has broadcast its first daily television news programme. The 20-minute bulletin was read by Richard Baker and was introduced as an “Illustrated summary of ... -
This Day in History | 1976 Israelis rescue Entebbe hostages
Israeli commandos have rescued 100 hostages, mostly Israelis or Jews, held by pro-Palestinian hijackers at Entebbe airport in Uganda. At about 0100 local time (2200GMT), Ugandan ... -
This Day in History | 1997 Hong Kong handed over to Chinese control
Hong Kong has been handed back to the Chinese authorities – ending more than 150 years of British control. The British flag was lowered over Government ... -
This Day in History | 1985 Beirut ordeal ends for US hostages
All 39 Americans being held captive by the Shia Muslim Amal militia in Lebanon have been released, after almost three weeks in captivity. Their freedom was ... -
This Day in History | 2001 Diana fountain given go-ahead
A memorial in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, is to be built in London’s Hyde Park, the government has announced. The £3m fountain will be ... -
This Day in History | 1958 Algeria prisoners freed to win Muslim support
France has ordered the release of 30 Algerian political prisoners in a move aimed at winning Muslim support over French plans for the colony’s future. General ... -
This Day in History | 1957 Smoking ‘causes lung cancer’
The link between smoking and lung cancer is one of ‘direct cause and effect’, a special report by the Medical Research Council has found. The report, ... -
This Day in History | 1974 Labour rift over nuclear test
The Labour Government has admitted Britain exploded a nuclear device in the United States a few weeks ago. It is thought the underground trial at America’s ... -
This Day in History | 1972 Chancellor orders pound flotation
The Chancellor, Anthony Barber, has announced his decision to temporarily float the pound. The news comes only a day after the bank lending rate was increased ...
