1979: Deng opens new China relations
On 29 January 1979, Deng Xiaoping, as deputy premier of China, meets with US President Jimmy Carter in Washington. Together they sign historic scientific and cultural accords.
Deng Xiaoping lived out the full and dramatic transformation of China. He joined the Chinese Communist party in 1920 and participated in Mao Zedong's Long March in 1934. He later became one of the first to advocate opening China to foreign investment, a position considered too radical by hard-liners.
Because of his controversial economic beliefs, he was purged and reinstated several times during his long political career. In 1976, he consolidated his rule, and soon was seeking closer ties with the West. In 1979, the United States granted full diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China and Deng signed new accords with President Carter during a celebrated visit to the U.S.
Deng continued to dominate Chinese politics throughout the 1980s and instituted a variety of economic reforms. He resigned from his last party post in 1989 because of the controversy surrounding the government crackdown at Tiananmen Square. He died in 1997.
2003
In Britain, solicitor Sally Clark is cleared by the Court of Appeal of murdering her two sons. Clark had already served more than three years of a life sentence.
2002
In his State of the Union Address, American President George W Bush argues that there is an 'Axis of Evil', comprised of countries which are destabilising the world.
1998
British Prime Minister Tony Blair announces a fresh inquiry into 'Bloody Sunday', the killing of 14 people by British troops in Londonderry in 1972.
1996
French President Jacques Chirac announces that France will no longer test nuclear weapons.
1987
Philippine President Corazon Aquino surprises a rebel uprising in Manila.
1985
As a form of protest against the governments cuts to the education budget, Oxford University dons refuse to confer an honorary degree on British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
1976
In England, the IRA explodes a series of bombs in the West End of London.
1964
Stanley Kubrick's film 'Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb' opens in America.
1959
Across Britain, thick fog brings the country to a stand still.
1942
World War II: Iran signs an alliance with Britain and the Soviet Union.
1942
In Britain, the BBC radio broadcasts the first 'Desert Island Discs' programme.
1891
Liliuokalani becomes Queen of the Hawaiian Islands. She is the last monarch of the Islands.
1886
Karl Benz patents his 'Motorwagen'.
1856
Queen Victoria institutes Britain's highest military decoration, The Victoria Cross.
1814
France defeats Russia and Prussia in the Battle of Brienne.