1953: Rosenbergs executed
Despite international pleas for clemency, U.S. civilians Julius and Ethel
Rosenberg are executed in the electric chair in Ossining, New York. Known for their communist leanings, they were convicted of assisting a Los Alamos spy pass atomic secrets to the Soviets. Occurring at the height of Red Menace hysteria in the United States in the 1950s, evidence suggests that the government was not certain whether the Rosenbergs were guilty. In one of her last letters before being executed, Ethel Rosenberg wrote, “my husband and I must be vindicated by history; we are the first victims of American Fascism.”
2005
Only six cars compete in the Formula One United States Grand Prix as the cars using Michelin tyres pull out due to safety concerns. 1997
McDonalds win the longest trial in English legal history against two environmental campaigners who published a leaflet accusing McDonalds of unethical and environmentally destructive activities.1982
Italian banker Roberto Calvi is found hanged underneath Blackfriars Bridge in London, England.1980
Gunmen attack the British embassy in Baghdad,
Iraq. There are no fatalities apart from the gunmen who are killed by Iraqi police.
1978
Ian Botham becomes the first cricketer to score a century and take eight wickets in one innings of a Test match.1975
An
inquest jury decides in his absence that Lord
Lucan murdered the nanny of his three children.
1965
The Vietnam War: Air Vice-Marshal Nguyen Cao Ky becomes leader of South
Vietnam. 1917
The First World War: Britain’s King
George V changes his family surname from Saxe-Coburg-Gotha to Windsor.
1885
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from
France, arrives in New York, America.
1867
Mexican Emperor Maximillian I is executed by
firing squad following a revolution.
1864
The Confederate raider CSS
Alabama is sunk off the coast of Cherbourg, France by
the Union vessel the USS Kearsage.
1856
In Philadelphia, the first national convention of the
Republican Party comes to an end.
1846
In America, the first official game of baseball using the “Knickerbocker Rules” is played at Hoboken, New Jersey, America. 1949
American actress Kathleen Turner.1925
British comedian Charlie Drake.1903
English cricketer Walter Hammond.1896
Bessie Wallis Warfield born in Baltimore. As divorcee Mrs Wallis Simpson, her relationship with the Prince of Wales (future Edward VIII) leads to his
abdication. Becomes Duchess of Windsor when the couple marry when he leaves office.
1834
French painter
Edgar Degas.
1623
French mathematician
Blaise Pascal - inventor of an early calculator.
1566
James
Stuart, King
James VI of Scotland -
James I of England 1603-1625 - the first British monarch to rule both England and Scotland.
1993
English writer Sir
William Golding, author of Lord of the Flies, dies in Truro, Cornwall aged 81.
1992
Kitty McKane Godfree - Wimbledon champion (1924 & 1926) aged 96.1953
Ethel and Julius Rosenburg executed in New York for spying for the Russians.1937
Scottish writer James Barrie - creator of
Peter Pan. 
