1959: Castro sworn in
On 16th February 1959, six years after he launched his guerrilla war against dictator Fulgencio Batista, Fidel Castro is sworn in as premier of Cuba.
Despite early denials of communist leanings, Castro launched a program of agrarian reform, nationalized American assets on the island, and proclaimed a Marxist government. After repelling the U.S.-backed Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, he strengthened ties with the Soviet Union and in 1962 authorised the installation of Soviet missile bases on the island.
The discovery of the missile sites by U.S. spy planes set off the Cuban Missile Crisis, which ended after the Soviets agreed to remove the offensive weapons in exchange for a US pledge not to invade Cuba.
2005
Following Hamas’ victory in the Palestinian elections, Ismail Haniya is chosen to be the new Prime Minister.
2005
In Cambodia, former Khmer Rouge commander Chhouk Rin loses a final appeal against his conviction in connection with the 1994 murder of three Western tourists.
2005
The Kyoto Protocol which is designed to cut air pollution comes into effect.
2001
In Kosovo, a bomb, which is thought to have been planted by ethnic Albanian extremists, explodes on a bus carrying Serbs to a religious ceremony. At least seven people die.
1999
Abdullah Ocalan, leader of the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party, is captured in Turkey.
1987
In Israel, John Demjanjuk, who was accused of being a Nazi guard dubbed ‘Ivan the Terrible’ in the Treblinka extermination camp, goes on trail in Jerusalem.
1985
In England, Ministry of Defence assistant secretary Clive Ponting resigns. Ponting become famous for passing information to an M.P about the sinking of the Argentinean ship the General Belgrano by British forces during the Falklands War.
1972
Throughout Britain electricity is in short supply as miners go on strike.
1961
NASA launches Explorer 9 (S-56a), to measure atmospheric density.
1945
The Second World War: The U.S. captures the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.
1923
British archaeologist Howard Carter opens the sealed doorway to the burial chamber of the Sarcophagus of Tutankhamun.
1916
The First World War: The Russian army defeats the Third Turkish Army to capture Erzerum, a city in the Ottoman province of Anatolia.
1804
First Barbary War: Stephen Decatur leads a raid to burn the pirate-held frigate USS Philadelphia.