1950: Britain recognises China
The British government under Prime Minister Clement Attlee recognizes the People's Republic of China (PRC), the new Chinese nation that had been proclaimed three months earlier by Communist leader Mao Tse-Tung.
Britain's recognition of the PRC caused a diplomatic crisis with the United States, which supported the Chinese Nationalists in their struggle against Mao's Communists. Most Nationalist forces had fled to Taiwan, but a few pockets of Nationalist resistance still remained on the mainland.
Some US officials accused Britain of essentially condemning the Nationalist troops to death by recognising China's communist government. Later that year, however, Britain and the United States presented a united front against communist China when Chinese forces entered the Korean War on the side of the North Koreans, engaging British and American troops in fierce fighting on the Korean peninsula.
2000
In one of the closest fought American Presidential elections in history, Vice President Al Gore presides over a joint session of Congress that certifies George W. Bush as the winner of the 2000 election.
1999
In England, Prince Edward and Sophie Rhys-Jones (the Duke and Duchess of Wessex) announce their engagement.
1994
American figure-skater Nancy Kerrigan is attacked by a man wielding a crowbar. It later transpires that her rival for the American National Figure Skating Championships and Olympics, Tonya Harding, was implicated in the attack.1977
Record label EMI sack the Sex Pistols because of their notoriously bad public behaviour.
1974
As a result of the energy crisis, daylight saving time is introduced early in the United States.
1971
A further four US Army officers have charges dropped against them with regard to the massacre of Vietnamese civilians at My Lai. Lieutenant William Calley will be the only soldier ever convicted for the massacre.
1942
President Roosevelt authorises the largest armaments production in the history of the United States.1941
US President Franklin D. Roosevelt defines the American goal of 'four freedoms': Freedom of Speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear. You can see more of Roosevelt's speeches in our Great Speeches area.
1936
The Warner Brothers character Porky Pig makes his television debut in the USA.
1929
Mother Teresa arrives in Calcutta to teach at St. Mary's High School.
1925
On the same day and within one hour, the ‘Flying Finn’, Finnish long distance runner Paavo Nurmi, breaks two world indoor running records at New York’s Madison Square Gardens.
1838
American inventor Samuel Morse first demonstrates his electric telegraph system.1690
Joseph I becomes the Holy Roman Emperor.
1066
Harold is crowned King of England in succession to Edward the Confessor. Less than a year later he is killed at the Battle of Hastings when William the Conqueror of Normandy invades southern England.1955
British comedian/comic actor Rowan Atkinson. Creator of 'Mr Bean'.1945
Welsh and British Lions rugby player Barry John.1944
England football manager Terry Venables.
1934
British actress Sylvia Simms.1933
French singer Sacha Distel1925
Businessman and car manufacturer John DeLorean.1913
Actress Loretta Young.1859
Samuel Alexander. English philosopher.1854
Official birthday of fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.1838
Max Bruch . German Composer.1745
French balloon pioneer Jacques Montgolfier.1412
French maid Joan Of Arc who commands the French Army in the war against the English. Is later denounced as a heretic and burned at the stake by the English.1367
King Richard II of England.