1972: Japanese soldier found hiding on Guam
Local farmers discover Shoichi Yokoi, a Japanese sergeant who, unaware that World War II was over, had been hiding the jungles of Guam for 28 years.
Guam, a US possession in the western Pacific, was attacked and captured by the Japanese in 1941. Three years later, American forces retook the island. It was at this time that Yokoi, left behind by the retreating Japanese, went into hiding rather than surrender to the enemy. He handcrafted survival tools and waited for his countrymen to return and hand him his next orders.
After his discovery in 1972, he was discharged and sent home to Japan, where he was hailed as a national hero. He subsequently married and returned to Guam for his honeymoon.
2001
In Britain, Peter Mandelson, the Northern Ireland Secretary, resigns from the cabinet over a row concerning a passport application from an Indian billionaire. It the second time Mandelson has had to reign from the Cabinet.
1986
In London, Newspaper workers launch a strike against Rupert Murdoch's News International for wanting to move newspaper production away from Fleet Street. The action comes to be known as the Wapping dispute.
1986
In Britain, Trade and Industry Secretary Leon Brittan becomes the second cabinet minister to resign over the Westland affair, after Michael Hesiltine’s earlier resignation.
1980
In America, the Carter administration announces that it is willing to sell military equipment to China.
1965
Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill dies aged 90.
1961
Marilyn Monroe divorces her husband, playwright Arthur Miller.
1943
World War II: German General, Friedrich von Paulus, Commander in Chief of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad, requests permission from Adolf Hitler to surrender his position there, but Hitler refuses.
1936
In France, Albert Sarraut forms his second government.
1927
In England, director Alfred Hitchcock's first film, 'The Pleasure Garden', is released.
1924
After the death of Lenin, St Petersburg is renamed Leningrad.
1908
In England, The Boy Scouts movement begins with the publication of the first installment of Robert Baden-Powell’s 'Scouting for Boys'.
1848
James Marshall discovers gold at Sutter's Sawmill in California, USA, sparking the 'Great Gold Rush'.
1438
The Council of Basel suspends Pope Eugene IV.
41
Roman Emperor Caligula is assassinated.