1946: Perón elected in Argentina
Juan Domingo Perón, the controversial former vice president of Argentina, is elected president. He was imprisoned the year before, but appeals from workers and his charismatic wife, Eva Duarte de Perón, forced his release. As president, Perón constructed an impressive populist alliance, and his vision of self-sufficiency for Argentina won him wide support.
However, he also became increasingly authoritarian, jailing political opponents and restricting freedom of the press. In 1952, his greatest political resource, his wife Evita, died, and support for him dissolved. Three years later, he was ousted in a military coup. In 1973, after 18 years of exile, he returned to Argentina and again won the presidency. His second wife, Isabel de Martinez Perón, was elected as vice president and in 1974 succeeded him upon his death.
2006
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo places the country in a state of emergency after an alleged military coup fails.
2004
Russian president Vladmir Putin dismisses the entire Russian government.
1999
British Home Secretary Jack Straw publishes the McPherson Report into the police handling of the murder inquiry into the killing of black teenager Stephen Lawrence. The Metropolitan Police are criticised for what the report calls ‘institutionalised racism’.
1988
In America, the Supreme Court votes 8-0 to overturn the $200,000 settlement awarded to the Reverend Jerry Falwell for his emotional distress at being parodied in Hustler, a pornographic magazine.
1981
In Britain, Prince Charles announces his engagement to Lady Diana Spencer.
1971
The Conservative Home Secretary, Reginald Maudling announces the government’s intention to restrict the automatic right of Commonwealth citizens to remain in Britain.
1968
The Vietnam War: South Vietnamese forces re-capture Hue.
1955
Britain is struck by freezing cold weather, leaving many areas of the country completely isolated.
1950
In Britain, the Labour Party wins another term in office as they narrowly win the general election.
1945
Ahmad Mahir Pasha, the Egyptian prime minister, is assassinated in parliament.
1868
Andrew Johnson becomes the first American president to be impeached.
1848
King Louis-Philippe abdicates from the French throne.
1826
The end of the First Burma War, as the British East India Company and the King of Burma sign the Treaty of Yandaboo.
1739
The Battle of Karnal: Nadir Shah Afshari, Emperor of Persia defeats the Mughal Emperor of India, Muhammad Shah.