1942: Allies raid Dieppe
On this day in
World War II, an Allied force of 7,000 men carries out a daytime raid against
German positions at the French seaport of Dieppe. Aided by tanks and aircraft, the
commando force--5,000 Canadians, 2,000 British soldiers, and a handful of American and
Free French troops--gained a foothold on the beach in the face of a furious German defense. During nine hours of fighting,
the Allies failed to destroy more than a handful of their targets and suffered 3,600 dead. Despite its high costs, the Dieppe raid provided valuable logistical information later used in planning the successful 1944 Allied landing at Normandy.
1991
Soviet hardliners attempt to topple President Mikhail Gorbachev in coup - putting tanks on the streets of Moscow, banning demonstrations and imposing a state of emergency. The coup is declared a failure less than 48 hours later.1987
In England, gun crazy Micheal Ryan shoots dead 16 people in the Berkshire town of Hungerford before turning a gun on himself.1974
US Ambassador to
Cyprus, Roger Davis, is shot dead during anti-American demonstrations in Nicosia.
1973
George Papadopoulos is sworn in a President of
Greece after a military coup overthrows the
Greek monarchy.
1960
US spy plane pilot Gary Powers, shot down by the Russians over Soviet territory, is sentenced to be detained for 10 years.1953
The England cricket team, under captain Len Hutton, wins The Ashes against
Australia for the first time since the controversial 'bodyline' tour of 1932-1933.
1942
World War II: British and Canadian troops launch an unsuccessful attack on the German-held French port of Dieppe. More than half of the 6,000 Allied soldiers are either killed or captured.1905
In Russia, Tsar
Nicholas II issues an Imperial Manifesto proposing the creation of a semi-elected Imperial
Duma (parliament) with limited powers.
1897
The London Electric Cab Company begins operating the electric-powered taxi cabs in London's West End and the City. They have a range of up to 30 miles, and a top speed of 9 miles an hour. The cabs prove uneconomical and are withdrawn in 1900.1879
Laying of the foundation stone for the Eddystone Lighthouse.1685
In England, the beginning of the 'Bloody Assizes' with Judge Jeffreys regularly sentencing people to death.1561
Mary Queen of Scots arrives in Scotland to assume the throne after spending 13 years in
France. 1274
Coronation of King
Edward I of England.
1943
British singer Billy J Kramer.1883
French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. Revolutionises women's fashions during the 1920's and manufactures the Chanel No 5 perfume.1871
American aviation pioneer Orville Wright.1646
British astronomer John Flamsteed, founder of the observatory at Greenwich.1977
American film comedian Groucho Marx aged 86.1976
Scottish-born
actor Alastair Sim.
1974
US Ambassador to
Cyprus, Roger Davis, is shot dead during anti-American demonstrations in Nicosia.
1944
English conductor Sir Henry Wood. co-founder of the British Promenade Concerts (Proms) in 1895.1936
Spanish writer and poet Federico Garcia Lorca is shot dead by Fascists during the
Spanish Civil War. 14A
Augustus, the first Roman Emperor and adopted son of Julius Caesar
