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1st December

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Tunnelers meet under English Channel


The island of Britain is connected with the European mainland for the first time since the Ice Age when workers from England and France meet 40 meters beneath the English Channel seabed. Attempts to dig a tunnel between Britain and France date back to the 1880s, and as early as 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte conceived of a tunnel to aid him in an invasion of England. However, it was not until the 1990s that the tunnel became a reality. The Channel tunnel was officially opened in May 1994 and featured two rail tunnels and a service tunnel. The "Chunnel," as it came to be called, cut travel time between England and France by 45 minutes, and the monumental number of workers needed to build it provided a much needed boost to the economies of the two nations.

1989

The end of 70 years of hostility between USSR and the Vatican when Russian Premier Mikhail Gorbachev meets Pope John Paul II in Rome.

1969

A statue of former British Prime Minister SIr Winston Chuchill is unveiled in the House of Commons.

1966

Britain issues its first special edition Christmas stamps.

1959

Twelve countries sign an agreement to preserve Antarctica for peaceful scientific research.

1953

First issue of Hugh Heffner's Playboy magazine: the centre-page spread featured American actress Marilyn Monroe in the nude.

1939

In New York, the world premiere of the film 'Gone With the Wind'.

1919

American-born Lady Astor takes her seat in the House of Commons- Britain's first female MP.

1906

The Cinema Omnia Pathe, the world's first purpose built picture house, opsens in Paris.

1868

In London, the opening of Smithfield meat market.

1825

In Russia, death of Tsar Alexander I - succeeded by his younger brother, Nicholas I.

1821

The Republic of San Domingo (now Dominican Republic) declares its independence from Spain.

1813

The signing of the Declaration of Frankfurt in which the Allies- including Britain and Prussia- agree to invade France to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte who had refused at reply to peace terms.

1768

Founding of the Royal Academy of Arts

1945

American actress Bette Midler

1939

American golfer Lee Trevino

1935

American writer and actor Woody Allen.

1910

Britain's first primaballerina, Lily Marks.

1761

MAdame Marie Tussaud, waxworks modeller, is born in Strasbourg.

1997

Jazz violinst Stephan Grapelli dies in Paris aged 89.

1978

English Magician, David Nixon.