1979: China invades Vietnam
In response to the Vietnamese invasion of Cambodia, China launches an invasion of Vietnam. Tensions between Vietnam and China increased dramatically after the end of the Vietnam War in 1975.
Attempting to expand its influence in Indochina, Vietnam established a military presence in Laos; strengthened its ties with China’s rival, the Soviet Union; and toppled the Cambodian regime of Pol Pot in 1979. Just over a month later, Chinese forces invaded, but were repulsed in nine days of bloody and bitter fighting.
Tensions between China and Vietnam remained high throughout the next decade, and much of Vietnam's scarce resources were allocated to protecting its border with China and its interests in Cambodia.
2006
Tony Blair calls the American detention camp at Guantanamo Bay an ‘anomaly’.
2005
Seven people are arrested and more than £2 million is recovered by Irish police investigating the £26 million Northern Bank robbery, which touch place in Belfast in December 2004.
2003
In London, a congestion charge of £5 is introduced for motorists who want to drive through central London.
1992
In Wisconsin, U.S.A., serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is sentenced to life in prison for murdering and dismembering fifteen young men and boys. Dahmer was later murdered in prison.
1987
A group of Tamils from Sri Lanka seeking asylum in Britain protest at Heathrow airport by removing their clothes as they are about to be deported.
1974
In America, Robert Preston, a discontented US army private, steels a helicopter, flying it to the White House where he hovers over the building before landing. President Nixon is not in the White House during the incident.
1959
The plane carrying Turkish Prime Minister, Adnan Menderes crashes near London. Twelve people are killed, but the prime minister survives.
1959
In America, NASA launches Vanguard 2, an earth orbiting satellite designed to measure cloud-cover distribution.
1957
Andre Gromyko is appointed Soviet Foreign Minister.
1947
As part of the America’s Cold War propaganda against the Soviet Union, the radio broadcasting service, Voice of America, starts to broadcast to the Soviet Union.
1945
The Second World War: The U.S. launches Operation Catchpole, resulting in America taking control of the atoll in the north western part of the Marshall Islands.
1933
The American magazine Newsweek is published for the first time.
1854
Britain recognises the independence of the Orange Free State, in southern Africa.
1801
Thomas Jefferson is elected the third President of the United States.