1947: Independence for India and Pakistan.
On August 15, 1947, the former Mogul Empire is divided into the independent nations of India and
Pakistan. Mohandas Gandhi struggled through decades of peaceful resistance before Britain finally accepted Indian independence. Self-rule had been promised during
World War II, but after the war triangular negotiations between Gandhi, the British, and the
Muslim League stalled over whether to
partition India along religious lines. Eventually, Lord Mountbatten, the British
viceroy of
India, forced through the compromise plan. Gandhi called the agreement the noblest act of the British nation, but religious strife between Hindus and Muslims soon marred his exhilaration. Hundreds of thousands, including Gandhi, were killed before the fighting ended in 1949.
1998
A terrorist bomb explodes in the centre of Omagh, County Tyrone killing 28 and injuring more than 200 others. It's the biggest single incident death toll in recent
Northern Ireland history. A splinter group of the
IRA, calling itself the
Real IRA, claims responsibility.
1994
The French authorities announce the capture of the world's most wanted criminal in
Sudan - the international terrorist known as Carlos the Jackal - real name Ilich Ramirez Sanchez.
1987
Corporal punishment in schools is officially banned in
Britain, except in independent schools in the
private sector. 1969
At least 400,000 are at the opening of the Woodstock Pop Festival on a dairy farm in New York state.1967
Britain introduces the Marine Broadcasting Act - outlawing pop
pirate radio stations broadcasting within British territorial waters
1965
In America, the
National Guard is used to quell race riots at Watts, Los Angeles which leave 28 dead and more than 600 injured.
1960
Britain's first motorway restaurant is opened on the M1 at Newport Pagnell.1958
American singer Buddy Holly marries Maria Elena Santiango.1947
Pakistan Independence day.1947
Indian Independence day.1945
World War II:
VJ Day - Victory over
Japan. The official date for the ceremony to mark the formal surrender of the
Japanese to
the Allies less than 24 hours earlier.
1945
Marshall Philippe Petain, head of the
Vichy French Government which collaborated with the Germans during
World War II, is convicted of
treason. His death sentence is later commuted to life imprisonment. He dies in jail in 1951.
1923
Irish republican leader Eamonn De Valera is captured by
Irish Free State troops.
1914
The first ship sails through the newly-built
Panama Canal. An estimated 50,000 died during its construction.
1872
Formation of the first regular police detective force in Britain. In 1878 the division of the Metropolitan Police Force in London assumes the name
Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
1872
In Britain, the first parliamentary election by secret
ballot. 
