1986: Marcos flees the Philippines
In the face of mass demonstrations against his rule, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos and his entourage are airlifted from the presidential palace in Manila by U.S. helicopters. Elected in 1966, Marcos declared martial law in 1972 in response to leftist violence.
The next year, he assumed dictatorial powers. Backed by the United States, his regime was marked by misuse of foreign support, repression and political murders. In 1986, Marcos defrauded the electorate in a presidential election, declaring himself the victor over Corazon Aquino, the wife of an assassinated rival.
Aquino also declared herself the rightful winner, and the public rallied behind her. Deserted by his former supporters, Marcos and his wife, Imelda, fled to Hawaii in exile, where they faced investigation on embezzlement charges. He died in 1989.
2006
In Uganda, President Yoweri Museveni is re-elected for a third term.
2005
Weeks after Israeli and Palestinian leaders declared a truce, four Israelis are killed and at least 30 people injured in a bomb blast outside a night club in Tel Aviv, Islamic Jihad claim responsibility.
2005
Thieves in Amsterdam hijack a cargo vehicle which contains millions of euros' worth of diamonds and other gems at Schiphol airport.
2003
Roh Moo-hyun officially takes office as South Korean president.
1994
Jewish settler Meir Kahane, shoots dead between 30 to 50 Arabs in the Hebron mosque massacre.
1992
Over six hundred ethnic Azerbaijani civilians in the town of Khojaly are killed by ethnic Armenian armed forces.
1991
In Britain, the Director of Public Prosecution, Alan Green, announces that the convictions of the "Birmingham Six" can not be considered safe and satisfactory.
1982
The European Court of Human Rights rules that beating schoolchildren against their parents’ wishes is a violation of the Human Rights Convention.
1972
In Britain, after a seven strike, miners vote in favour of accepting a new improved pay offer.
1964
American boxer Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali) wins the world heavyweight title with a seventh round knock-out of reigning champion Sonny Liston in Miami.
1956
Soviet premiere Nikita Khrushchev goes before Communist Party Congress in Moscow and denounces late dictator Joseph Stalin.
1951
The first Pan American Games takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
1570
Queen Elizabeth I of England is excommunicated by Pope Pius V.
138
Roman Emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius, effectively making him his successor.