1949: NATO established
The
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is established by 12 Western states: the United States,
Britain, France, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Iceland, Canada and
Portugal. The military alliance, which provided for collective self-defence against Soviet aggression, greatly increased American influence in Europe.
Greece, Turkey and West
Germany later joined
NATO, and in 1966 France withdrew, citing American violations of the 1949 treaty. In 1955, the
Warsaw Pact, a Soviet-led Eastern European alliance, was established to counter NATO. In 1994, three years after the end of the
Cold War, NATO engaged in its first military action as part of an international effort to end two years of fighting in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Poland, Hungary and the
Czech Republic, former Warsaw Pact nations, joined NATO in 1999.
2006
In Ireland, former senior
Sinn Fein member and British spy, Denis Donaldson is found shot dead in his house in County Donegal.
2006
Despite winning the countries general election Thailand’s Prime Minister,
Thaksin Shinawatra, resigns as his opponents accuse him of abuse of power and corruption.
2000
Freezing weather hits
Britain, forcing the closure of Luton Airport near London.
1984
In England, the peace protesting women who had set up camp on
Greenham Common in Berkshire are evicted form the site.
1983
In America, the NASA space shuttle Challenger makes its maiden flight into space. 1976
Nordon Sihanouk is confined to his house and forced to step down as Head of State in
Cambodia by the
Khmer Rouge.
1975
Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft. 1968
In America, NASA launches
Apollo 6.
1964
British pop group The Beatles occupy the first five places in the U.S. singles pop charts with: 'Can't Buy Me Love;' ' Twist and Shout;' ' She Loves You;' 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' and 'Please Please Me.'1939
Faisal II becomes King of
Iraq. 1918
The First World War: The Second Battle of the Somme ends.1721
Sir
Robert Walpole becomes the first Prime Minister of Britain - although that title is not formally used - under King
George I. 1660
King
Charles II of England issues the Declaration of Breda from exile in the Netherlands.
1932
American
actor Anthony Perkins.
1924
British actor Peter Vaughan.1915
American blues singer Muddy Waters is born at Rolling Fork in Mississippi. Real name McKinley Morganfield.1823
German engineer and inventor Sir William Siemens.1941
Karl Benz. Motor car pioneer.1941
Motor tyre manufacturer Andre Michelin.1891
Phineas T.Barnum. International showman.1743
Lexicographer Robert Ainsworth.1617
Inventor of logarithms, John Napier, dies in Edinburgh.
