1970: Qaddafi becomes premier of Libya
Muammar al-Qaddafi, the young Libyan army captain who deposed King Idris in September 1969, is proclaimed premier of Libya by the so called General People’s Congress.
Qaddafi, the son of a Bedouin farmer, attended university before rising through the ranks of the Libyan Army. His ardent nationalism led him and a fellow group of conspirators to overthrow the monarchy in September 1969.
Blending a mix of Islamic orthodoxy, revolutionary socialism and Arab nationalism, Qaddafi established a fervently anti-Western dictatorship. His regime financed a wide variety of terrorist groups across the world, from Palestinian guerrillas and Philippine Muslim rebels to the Irish Republican Army.
However, in recent times Qaddafi has sought to move closer to the West. European sanctions were lifted from Libya after Qaddafi turned over two suspects wanted for the Lockerbie bombing in Scotland. Qaddafi has also sought to cooperate with the West since the 11 September attacks in the United States, possibly fearing American intervention in Libya if the country did not cooperate with arms inspectors.
1997
In Britain, Diana, Princess of Wales is criticised for becoming embroiled in international politics by calling for a ban on the production and sale of landmines during her four-day visit to Angola.1984
After losing his seat at the 1983 British General Election, Tony Benn wins Labour's nomination for the Chesterfield by-election. Benn subsequently won the by-election and retained his seat until he retired from the House of Commons in 2001.
1974
The first episode of 'Happy Days' airs on American television. A minor character, super-cool biker Arthur 'the Fonz' Fonzarelli, soon came to be the show's central character.
1973
Following peace talks in Paris, US President Nixon orders a halt to American bombing in Vietnam.
1970
The Republic of Biafra, a breakaway state of eastern Nigeria, surrenders to the Nigerian government after three years of resistance.
1962
Asked at a news conference whether US troops are fighting in Vietnam, President Kennedy answers 'No'.
1953
A purge of senior officials in the East German government begins.
1951
Ilse Koch, wife on the commandant of the Buchenwald concentration camp, is sentenced to life imprisonment in a court in West Germany. Koch was nicknamed the 'With of Buchenwald' for her extraordinary sadism.
1947
Elizabeth Short, nicknamed 'The Black Dahlia', is found dead in California, USA. Her murderer has never been found.1919
Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, the leaders of a radical socialist revolution launched in Berlin, Germany are murdered a by right-wing paramilitary.1759
Opening of the British Museum at Montague House, Bloomsbury in London.1559
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth I of England.