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29th March

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1973: United States withdraws from Vietnam


The United States completes the withdrawal of all its combat troops from Vietnam on this day. A decade of American military involvement in Vietnam deeply divided public opinion in the United States and claimed the lives of over 57,000 U.S. soldiers. Over 200,000 South Vietnamese soldiers perished in the conflict, and the communist death toll exceeded 1 million. In addition, some 500,000 Vietnamese civilians were killed, many as a result of the massive U.S. bombing campaign, which exceeded all the bombs dropped by both sides in World War II. After spending over $150 billion in its effort to save South Vietnam from communism, the United States finally and completely withdrew on March 29, 1973. Two years later, the war ended with the fall of South Vietnam and the unification of Vietnam under communist authority.

1997

Cambridge scientist Sir Stephen Hawking warns that any contact with alien life forms will be a 'nasty' experience.

1981

The running of the first London marathon - with around 7,000 entrants

1973

The last American troops are air-lifted out of Saigon, South Vietnam.

1972

Queen Elizabeth II opens the Tutankhaman Exhibition at the British Museum.

1967

France launches its first nuclear submarine

1945

World War II: the last German flying bomb lands on London.

1940

Bank of England introduces thin metal strips into banknotes as an anti-forgery device.

1912

British explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott dies in Antarctica along with the rest of his small party while returning from the South Pole.

1886

A new fizzy drink is launched by graduate chemist John S Pemberton in Atlanta Georgia, USA. Described as an 'esteemed brain tonic and intellectual beverage' it is now better known as Coca-Cola.

1884

First edition of Horse & Hounds magazine

1871

In London, the Royal Albert Hall, built in memory of Prince Albert, is opened by Queen Victoria.

1461

The Battle of Towton in Yorkshire during the War of the Roses in England (Lancaster against York). More than 28,000 are killed. Henry VI's Lancastrian forces are beaten and the throne is claimed by Edward IV.

1976

American tennis player Jennifer Capriati.

1965

Australian model Elle ('the body') Macpherson.

1943

Former British Conservative Prime Minister John Major

1943

Composer Vangelis.

1943

Comic actor Eric Idle, a member of the internationally acclaimed comedy team : Monty Python's Flying Circus.

1943

British actress Julie Goodyear.

1914

British journalist Chapman Pincher

1905

British artist Edward John Burra. .

1902

British composer William Walton. Writes the film score for Hamlet (1947).

1981

Dr Eric Williams, aged 69, Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago.

1912

British explorer Captain Robert Falcon Scott dies in Antarctica along with the rest of his small party while returning from the South Pole.