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17th July

appolo_soyuz_embrace

1975: Superpowers meet in space


On July 17, 1975, as part of a project aimed at developing space rescue capability, the U.S. spacecraft Apollo and the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 19 rendezvous and dock in space. As the hatch was opened between the two vessels, commanders Thomas P. Safford and Aleksei Leonov shook hands and exchanged gifts in celebration of the first such meeting in space between the two Cold War adversaries. During the 44-hour Apollo-Soyuz embrace, the astronauts and cosmonauts conducted experiments, shared meals, and held a joint news conference.

1976

Queen Elizabeth II opens the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada.

1975

An historic handshake in space as Russian and American astronauts meet when the US spacecraft Apollo successfully docks with the Soviet space craft Soyuz.

1964

British speed pioneer Sir Donald Campbell sets a new land speed world record of 429mph in his car, Bluebird.

1959

American jazz singer Billie Holiday is arrested on her death bed in hospital for possession of narcotics.

1955

Opening of Disneyland in California, USA.

1945

World War II: Opening of the Potsdam Conference between world leaders Harry Truman; Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill to plan for future peace once Germany has been defeated.

1936

Start of the Spanish Civil War when the army, led by General Franco, revolts against the country's Republican Government.

1917

World War I: The British Royal Family adopt the name of the House of Windsor in place of their German family name of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

1841

The first issue of the magazine, Punch, is published in London.

1790

Thomas Saint patents the world's first sewing machine.

1761

In Britain, the official opening of the Bridgewater canal.

1453

End of the One Hundred Years' War with a defeat for the French by the English at the Battle of Castillon.

1935

American film actor Donald Sutherland.

1920

Juan Antonio Samaranch, President of the Internaional Olympic Committee.

1909

British fashion designer Hardy Amis.

1901

American film actor James Cagney.

1998

Sir James Lighthill, leading scientist who became first person to swim around the Channel Island of Sark. Dies trying to repeat the feat 25 years later, aged 74.

1903

American artist James Whistler aged 70.