1984: Pyramid mystery unearthed
An international panel overseeing the restoration of the Great Pyramids in Egypt ends years of frustration when it abandons modern construction techniques in favour of the method employed by the ancient Egyptians.
Located at Giza outside Cairo, the pyramids, some of the oldest manmade structures on earth, showed severe signs of decay by the early 1980s. A massive preservation project was launched, but repair work on the pyramids proved destructive when water in modern cement caused adjacent limestone blocks to split.
On 12th January 1984, restoration workers stopped using mortar and adopted the system of interlocking blocks practiced by the original pyramid builders. From there on, the project proceeded smoothly. Preservation efforts continue today, and the internal chambers of the largest pyramid were recently reopened following an extensive restoration.
2006
In Italy, Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish gunman who tried to kill Pope John Paul II, is released from prison. He served nearly 20 years in jail.
2001
Sven-Goran Eriksson starts his job as the manager of the England football team. He is the first foreigner to hold this position.
1995
Qubilah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X, is arrested for conspiring to kill Louis Farrakhan. She subsequently accepted a plea bargain from the U.S. government, accepting her responsibility but not guilt in the attempted murder.
1991
The United States Congress votes to authorise the use of military force against Iraq to end its occupation of Kuwait.1982
Mark Thatcher, the son of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappears in the Sahara Desert during the Paris-Dakar Rally. He is spotted by a search plane several days later and rescued.1976
The popular crime writer Dame Agatha Christie dies.
1971
In Britain, two bombs explode at the Hertfordshire home of the Employment Secretary, Robert Carr. Nobody is injured in the attack, which is thought to relate to a new controversial industrial relations bill Mr Carr is proposing.
1966
Three British MPs are attacked whilst addressing a meeting in Salisbury, Rhodesia (Zimbabwe). The country had declared itself independent from Britain the previous year.
1964
A Republic is proclaimed by revolutionaries in Zanzibar.
1960
End of the 8 year 'State Of Emergency' in Kenya.1932
Ophelia Wyatt Caraway, a Democrat from Arkansas, becomes the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate.
1919
The first meeting between British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George;French Prime Minister, Georges Clemenceau; Italian Prime Minister, Vittorio Orlando; and American President Woodrow Wilson takes place at the Paris peace conference.
1879
The British-Zulu War begins.1592
In Britain, Shakespeare’s play ‘Titus Andronicus’ is first performed at the Rose Theatre.
475
Basiliscus is crowned Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople.