1215: Magna Carta sealed
Following a revolt by the English nobility against his rule, King John agrees to put his royal
seal on the
Magna Carta, or Great Charter. The document, essentially a peace treaty between John and his barons, guaranteed the nobles their feudal privileges and promised to maintain the nation's laws. The Magna Carta also called for fair and equal treatment of the nobles in legal cases, a major infringement on the king's traditional authority. Although King John soon revoked the Magna Carta, it is regarded as a groundbreaking political document that helped lay the foundation for modern democratic England.
1998
Britain introduces a £2
coin. 1982
In the Football World Cup,
Hungary defeated
El Salvador by 10 goals to 1 - a world cup record for the biggest victory margin
1969
Georges Pompidou is elected President of
France. 1951
In England, the Lake District is declared a National Park.1929
British-made Bentleys occupy the first four places at the finish of the Le Mans 24 hour race in France.1919
English air pioneers
John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Ireland.
1910
British explorer Captain Robert Scott begins his ill-fated expedition to reach the South
Pole. 1907
Peace Conference of the great powers at the Hague in Holland. Attempts to halt the European arms race fail.1904
In New York harbour, the steamship General Slocum catches fire and sinks - killing at least 1,000 - mostly women and children on a
church outing.
1844
In the United States, engineer Charles Goodyear patents a process to manufacture vulcanised rubber.1836
In America, Arkansas becomes the 25th state of
the Union. 1775
US Congress elects
George Washington to be General and Commander in Chief of the Army of the United Colonies.
1572
Founding of Harrow School, England.1567
Mary, Queen of Scots is captured at the Battle of Carberry Hill near Edinburgh by Scottish nobles who objected to her marriage to the Earl of Bothwell. 1964
American actress Courtney Cox. born in Birmingham,
Alabama. 1954
American comedian &
actor James Belushi.
1947
Singer Demis Roussos.1884
Harry Langdon - the baby-faced comedy star of the silent movies.1843
Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg.
