Tag: This Day in History
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This Day in History: 1981 ‘Gang of four’ launches new party
The Social Democrats have launched their new political party pledging to “reconcile the nation” and “heal divisions between classes”. At a crowded press conference in London, ... -
This Day in History: 1975 National Front rallies against Europe
Members of an extreme right-wing UK party, flanked by 2,000 police officers, have marched through north London in protest against integration with Europe. Beating drums and ... -
This Day in History: 1989 Exxon Valdez creates oil slick disaster
An oil tanker has run aground on a reef off the Alaskan coast, releasing gallons of crude oil into the sea. The Exxon Valdez got into ... -
This Day in History: 1982 Argentine flag hoisted on S Georgia
A group of Argentines have landed at the British colony of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic and planted their nation’s flag. About 50 Argentines ... -
This Day in History: 1992 South Africa votes for change
White South Africans have backed an overwhelming mandate for political reforms to end apartheid and create a power-sharing multi-racial government. In a landslide victory for change, ... -
This Day in History: 1968 Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent
More than 200 people have been arrested after thousands of demonstrators clashed in an anti-Vietnam war protest outside the United States embassy in London. The St ... -
This Day in History: 1983 Nkomo flees Zimbabwe ‘death threats’
The embattled leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party, Joshua Nkomo, has flown into London as his country appears to be teetering on the brink of civil war. ... -
This Day in History: 1964 Hoffa faces eight years behind bars
The president of the powerful American Teamsters union has been sentenced to eight years in jail on bribery charges. James Hoffa has also been fined $10,000 ... -
This Day in History: 2004 Many die as bombs destroy Madrid trains
At least 170 people have died and 500 have been injured as huge explosions tore through three Madrid train stations during the morning rush-hour. Near simultaneous ... -
This Day in History: 1988 Avalanche hits royal ski party
The Prince of Wales has narrowly avoided death on the ski slopes of Switzerland in an avalanche that killed one of his closest friends. Major Hugh ... -
This Day in History: 1973 Northern Ireland votes for union
The people of Northern Ireland have voted overwhelmingly to remain within the United Kingdom. In a referendum on the future of the province, 591,280 people or ... -
This Day in History: 1956 US court victory for black students
The United States Supreme Court has upheld a ban on racial segregation in state schools, colleges and universities. The University of North Carolina was appealing against ... -
This Day in History: 1975 Comic genius Chaplin is knighted
Silent film legend Charlie Chaplin has become Sir Charles after a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The star of such films as The Kid and The Great ... -
This Day in History: 1974 Turkish jet crashes killing 345
A Turkish Airlines DC10 has crashed near Paris killing all 345 people on board. The plane was on a regular flight from Ankara to London via ... -
This Day in History: 2000 Pinochet escapes torture trial charges
Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet is heading home after being told the UK would not extradite him on torture charges.After 16 months of legal wrangling, ... -
This Day in History: 1999 Nigerians vote to break with military
Voters have been thronging to polling booths in Nigeria to elect a civilian president and end 15 years of military rule. Queues formed at polling stations ... -
This Day in History: 1991 Iraqi troops flee Kuwait City
The Kuwaiti capital has been liberated by the Gulf War Allies after 208 days of Iraqi occupation. Thousands of Iraqi troops began leaving the city after ... -
This Day in History: 1964 Cassius Clay crowned world champion
Cassius Clay, 22, has been crowned heavyweight champion of the world after beating Sonny Liston in one of the biggest upsets in boxing’s history. Clay, from ... -
This Day in History: 1955 Britain’s big freeze
Deep snow and freezing temperatures continue across Britain leaving many parts of the country cut off from essential supplies. More than 70 roads in Britain are ... -
This Day in History: 1972 Hijackers surrender and free Lufthansa crew
A group of Palestinian hijackers who took over a Lufthansa jet in the skies over India two days ago has released the crew and surrendered at ... -
This Day in History: 1969 Lulu ties knot with Bee Gee
Hundreds of people have clamoured to see the marriage of popstars Lulu and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees in a Buckinghamshire church. Lulu, 20, had ... -
This Day in History: 1979 China invades Vietnam
China has sent hundreds of troops into Vietnam after weeks of tension and a military build-up along the border. Vietnamese Vice-Foreign Minister Nguyen Ko Tach has ... -
This Day in History: 1959 Castro sworn in as Cuban PM
Cuba’s revolutionary leader Fidel Castro has become the country’s youngest ever premier. At the age of 32, he has been sworn in as Prime Minister in ... -
This Day in History: 1990 Freedom for Nelson Mandela
Leading anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela has been freed from prison in South Africa after 27 years. His release follows the relaxation of apartheid laws – including ... -
This Day in History: 1952 India passes first test of democracy
The Congress Party of India, led by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, has won an outright victory in the country’s first general election. The party has won 249 ... -
THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 1950 McCarthy launches anti-red crusade
United States Senator Joe McCarthy has accused more than 200 staff in the State Department of being members of the Communist Party. He made the startling ... -
This Day in History |1971 Man plays golf on the Moon
The first manned mission to the Moon since the near-disastrous Apollo 13 is on its way home after two successful moon walks. There was just one ... -
This Day in History: 1982 Laker Airways goes bust
Pioneering budget airliner Laker Airways has collapsed owing £270 million to banks and other creditors. After a four-hour board meeting at London’s Gatwick Airport, company chairman ... -
This Day in History: 1968 More Kenyan Asians flee to Britain
Another 96 Indians and Pakistanis from Kenya have arrived in Britain today, the latest in a growing exodus of Kenyan Asians fleeing from laws which prevent ... -
This Day in History: 1988 Nurses protest for better pay
Nurses across the UK have taken part in a day of industrial action to secure more money for themselves and the NHS. In the House of ... -
This Day in History: 1979 Sid Vicious dies from drugs overdose
Sex Pistols’ bass player Sid Vicious has died of a heroin overdose in New York. His mother, Anne Beverley, found him dead in bed with his ... -
This Day in History: 1959 Fog brings transport chaos
Dense fog – the worst for seven years – has brought road, rail and air transport in many parts of England and Wales to a virtual ... -
This Day in History: 1986 Seven dead in space shuttle disaster
The American space shuttle, Challenger, has exploded killing all seven astronauts on board. The five men and two women – including the first teacher in space ... -
This Day in History | 1984 Michael Jackson burned in Pepsi ad
Michael Jackson has received hospital treatment for serious burns to his head after his hair caught light during a freak filming accident. The 25-year-old entertainer was ... -
This Day in History: 1950 India becomes a republic
The independent republic of India is officially born today, after nearly 100 years of British rule. A public holiday has been declared throughout the country, and ...
