1987: Terry Waite disappears
On this day, British negotiator Terry Waite disappears while attempting to win freedom for Western hostages held in Lebanon. In 1981, Waite, special envoy of the archbishop of Canterbury, secured the release of missionaries detained in Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
He also extracted British hostages from Libya in 1985 and even succeeded in releasing American hostages from Lebanon in 1986. A total of 10 captives had been released as a result of Waite's efforts before radical Shiite Muslims seized him during a return mission to Beirut on January 20, 1987.
Shortly before his capture, it was revealed that he had aided U.S. military official Oliver North in his covert arms-for-hostages deal with Iran. The radical Shiites, deeply distrustful of the American military, likely targeted him for kidnapping in response. After 1,763 days in captivity, Waite was finally released in November 1991.
2002
Photographs of prisoners being held at Camp X-Ray in Guantanamo Bay by the U.S. military are published. The photographs heighten speculation that the prisoner’s human rights are being abused.
2001
Philippine President Joseph Estrada is replaced by his deputy Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, after the military withdraw their support for Estrada.
1996
Yasser Arafat is elected president of the Palestinian National Council
1987
British police launch their largest ever crackdown on football hooliganism.
1986
Plans to construct the Channel Tunnel, linking Britain to France, are announced.
1972
Unemployment in Britain exceeds the one million mark for the first time since the 1930’s.
1964
In England, the start of the trial of the Great Train Robbers.1961
In America, John F. Kennedy is inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States. Kennedy is to be both the youngest ever President and the first Roman Catholic to hold the office.
1958
Members of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic expedition team, who are attempting the first surface crossing of the Antarctic, met each other at the South Pole. The separate teams set off from opposite ends of the continent.
1942
World War II: The Wannsee Conference sets the basis for the Nazi’s "final solution" – effectively instigating the mass industrial slaughter of Jews.
1936
George V, King of England, dies. He is succeeded by Edward VIII, who abdicates 325 days later, before his coronation, because of his insistence in marrying American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
1841
Britain and China sign the Chuenpi Convention, which cedes Hong Kong to Britain.
1841
Britain and China sign the Chuenpi Convention, which cedes Hong Kong to Britain.
1649
In England, the start of the trial of King Charles I. Charles is found guilty of treason and is beheaded.
1649
In England, the start of the trial of King Charles I. Charles is found guilty of treason and is beheaded.
1649
In England, the start of the trial of King Charles I. Charles is found guilty of treason and is beheaded.
1265
First meeting of the English Parliament at Westminster Hall, London.1265
First meeting of the English Parliament at Westminster Hall, London.1265
First meeting of the English Parliament at Westminster Hall, London.1649
In England, the start of the trial of King Charles I. Charles is found guilty of treason and is beheaded.