You don't have Javascript enabled. To view this site requires Javascript to be enabled.
MjIxMi0tLTU1NC0tLTE=.jpg
If you can't access speech audio, click here to get Real Player
sponsored by peru

2nd March

Jupiter

1972: Pioneer 10 launched to Jupiter


Pioneer 10, the world's first outer-planetary probe, is launched from the United States on a mission to Jupiter.

 

In December 1973, after successfully negotiating a distance of 620 million miles and the asteroid belt, Pioneer 10 reached Jupiter and sent back the first close-up images of the spectacular gas giant. A decade later, the spacecraft left the solar system.

 

Headed in the direction of the Taurus constellation, Pioneer 10 will pass within three light years of another star in the year 34,600. Bolted to the probe's exterior wall is a plaque displaying a drawing of a human man and woman, a star map marked with the location of the sun, and a map showing the flight path of Pioneer 10.



2006

In Britain, Sir Menzies Campbell is elected the new leader of the Liberal Democrat Party.

2000

Former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet returns home to Chile after the British government decides not extradite him to Europe to face trail on torture charges.

1991

A bomb blast in Colombo, Sir Lanka, kills nineteen people, including the deputy defence minister.

1978

Czech Vladimír Remek becomes the first non-Russian or non-American to go into space, when he is launched aboard Soyuz 28.

1970

Rhodesia declares the Universal Declaration of Independence – breaking from Britain to become an independent republic, under the leadership of Ian Smith.

1969

The world's first supersonic airliner, Concorde, has its first test flight from Toulouse in France.

1969

Russian and Chinese forces exchange fire at a border outpost on the Ussuri River in eastern Russia.

1962

In Burma, General Ne Win seizes power in a coup.

1955

In Cambodia, King Norodom Sihanouk abdicates the throne to his father, King Norodom Suramarit, in order to stand for the position of prime minister.

1943

The Second World War: U.S. and Australian forces sink a convoy of Japanese ships in the Bismarck Sea in the western Pacific.

1919

In the Soviet Union, the first Communist International (Comintern) meets in Moscow.

1855

Alexander II becomes Tsar of Russia.

1836

The Republic of Texas declares independence from Mexico.

1807

The U.S. Congress abolishes the African slave trade.

1933

British comedian Les Dawson,

1927

Mikhail Gorbachov, Russian leader.

1927

American actress Elaine Stritch.

1917

British broadcaster Jean Metcalfe.

1917

American TV producer Desi Arnaz born in Cuba.

1900

American composer Kurt Weill born in Germany.

1650

Actress Nell Gwynn - mistress of King Charles II of England.

1999

British singer Dusty Springfield dies from cancer aged 59.

1987

American film actor Randolph Scott.

1939

Archaeologist Howard Carter.

1930

Novelist D.H Lawrence dies in France.

1797

British politician Horace Walpole.

1791

Founder of the Methodists, John Wesley.