1768: First Modern Circus
English cavalryman Philip Astley stages the first modern circus in London. Trick riders, acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other familiar components of the circus have existed throughout recorded history, but it was not until the late 18th century that the modern spectacle was born.
Astley found that if he galloped in a tight circle, centrifugal force allowed him to perform seemingly impossible feats on a horse's back. His trick riding received such a favorable response that he soon hired other equestrians, a clown, and musicians and in 1770 built a roof over his ring and called the structure Astley's Amphitheatre.
Later, a competitor coined the term circus to describe this new form of entertainment, referring to the Roman name for the circular theaters where chariot races were held. Circuses soon sprang up across Europe, and giant tent shows toured America in the nineteenth century. The last major addition to the circus repertoire was the flying trapeze, which was introduced in France in 1859.
2005
Voting in the Palestinian Presidential Elections draws to a close. Early exit polls indicate that Mahmoud Abbas has won a significant majority.
1998
Northern Ireland Secretary Dr Mo Mowlam makes a controversial visit to the Maze Prison in Belfast, Northern Ireland to talk to Loyalist and Republican terrorists.1997
Round-The-World yachtsman Tony Bullimore is rescued after spending 4 days in the Pacific Ocean after his boat capsized.1986
British defence secretary Michael Heseltine resigns from the Cabinet of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher over the 'Westland Affair'.1976
Sylvester Stallone starts filming 'Rocky'.1972
After three months of unsuccessful negotiations, Britain’s coal miners go on strike for the first time in almost fifty years.
1972
The cruise liner Queen Elizabeth catches fire and sinks in the harbour at Hong Kong.
1959
In America, the first episode of the TV series Rawhide, starting Clint Eastwood, is shown.1957
British Prime Minister Anthony Eden resigns due to ill health. Eden's premiership had been in decline since his controversial handling of the 'Suez Crisis'. You can hear two important speeches from the Crisis in our Great Speeches area.
1945
General MacArthur presides over the landing of the American 6th Army on Luzon, in another step towards capturing the Philippine Islands from the Japanese.
1917
In Mesopotamia, British troops under the command of Sir Frederick Maude launch an offensive against Turkish forces at Khadairi Bend.
1905
According to the Julian calendar, which was in use at the time, Russian workers stage a march on the Winter Palace, which ends in a massacre of the workers, signalling the beginning of 1905 Russian Revolution. The day came to be known as 'Bloody Sunday'.
1861
In a precursor to the start of the Civil War in America, a Union merchant ship, the ‘Star of the West’, is fired upon as it tries to bring supplies to Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor.
1806
Lord Horatio Nelson is buried at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.