1675: New observatory to aid sailors
On 10 August 1977, 24-year-old postal employee David Berkowitz is arrested and charged with being the “Son of Sam”, the serial killer who terrorised New York City for more than a year, killing six young people and wounding seven others with a 44-caliber revolver. Because Berkowitz generally targeted attractive young women with long brown hair, hundreds of young women had their hair cut short and dyed blond during the time he terrorized the city. Thousands more simply stayed home at night. After his arrest, Berkowitz claimed that demons and a black Labrador retriever owned by a neighbour named Sam had ordered him to commit the killings.
2003
Britain records its hottest day ever up to this date, with temperatures reaching 38.1C (100.6F).2003
Russian cosmonaut Yuri Ivanovich Malenchenko becomes the first person to get married in space. He marries Ekaterina Dmitrieva, who is in America, via satellite link.1990
After setting out on a 15 month journey from Earth the Magellan spacecraft reaches
Venus. 1988
A mysterious disease that kills seals reaches the British Isles. The disease is later named phocine
distemper virus.
1964
A
United Nations ceasefire comes into force in
Cyprus temporarily ending the conflict between
Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
1949
In America, President Truman signs the National Security Bill, which establishes the Department of Defence.1945
The Second World War: The
Japanese inform
the Allies that they have accepted unconditional surrender.
1913
The Treaty of Bucharest is signed ending the Second Balkan War.1821
Missouri enters
the Union as the 24th state of America.
1519
Portuguese explorer
Ferdinand Magellan sets sail from Seville to circumnavigate the world.
955
Holy Roman Emperor
Otto I defeats the
Magyar army at the Battle of Lechfeld in south-central
Germany. 955
Holy Roman Emperor Otto I defeats the Magyar army at the Battle of Lechfeld in south-central Germany. 
