1952: Hussein accedes to Jordanian throne
Prince Hussein is proclaimed the king of
Jordan after his father, King Talal, is declared unfit to rule by the Jordanian Parliament on grounds of mental illness. Hussein was formally crowned on 14 November 1953, his 18th birthday. He was the third constitutional king of Jordan and a member of the
Hashemite dynasty, said to be in direct line of descent from the Prophet Muhammad. During his nearly five decades of rule, he maintained good relations with the West and steadily developed Jordan’s economy. He fought against
Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War, and later against Palestinian guerrillas who tried to seize control of the Jordanian state. He opposed the
Persian Gulf War of 1991 but supported the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. He died in 1999 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Prince Abdallah. He was the 20th century’s longest-serving executive head of state.
1999
A total solar eclipse is visible in Europe and Asia, the last of the century.1987
Alan Greenspan becomes Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve, a position he holds until January 2006.1984
The South African-born British athlete, Zola Budd, accidentally tangles with American Mary Decker during the women's 3,000m final at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Decker falls and is unable to complete the race, whilst Budd finishes 7th.1984
In order to test a microphone before a radio broadcast American President Ronald Reagan famously jokes, “My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you today that I’ve signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes."1982
In England, East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray are temporarily allowed out of prison to attend the funeral of their mother.1971
British Prime Minister
Edward Heath steers the British team to success to win the Admiral's Cup (in sailing).
1965
Violent race riots break out in the Watts area of Chicago, USA.1960
Chad gains independence from
France. 1943
The Second World War: Following the successful Allied invasion of Sicily in July, the
German Army starts its
evacuation from the
Italian Island.
1934
In America, the first Federal prisoners are locked up in Alcatraz prison in San Francisco.1919
In
Germany, the Weimar Constitution is officially adopted.
1711
In England, the first horse race meeting is held at Ascot.1492
The infamous Roderigo Borgia bribes enough Cardinals to be elected Pope
Alexander VI. 355
Claudius
Silvanus proclaims himself Roman Emperor against Constantius II.
480 BC
The Persians defeat the Spartans at the Battle of Thermopylae in
Greece. 
