You don't have Javascript enabled. To view this site requires Javascript to be enabled.
If you can't access speech audio, click here to get Real Player
sponsored by 
1970: Heyerdahl sails papyrus boat
The Ra II, a papyrus sailing vessel constructed by Norwegian anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl, sets sail across the Atlantic on this day. In 1969, a replica of an ancient Egyptian vessel was constructed of papyrus reeds by Heyerdahl to test his theory that the ancient Egyptians were the first to sail to America. The Ra, which left Morocco for Central America in May 1969, foundered 600 miles short of its goal, but Heyerdahl immediately started work on a new papyrus boat. On May 17 1970, the Ra II left Morocco and proved seaworthy enough to transport a multinational crew across the Atlantic Ocean in 57 days.
2004
Massachusetts becomes the first American state to legally hold a same-sex marriage.2000
Alan Chambers and Charlie Paton become the first two Britain’s to reach the geographical North Pole without outside support.1999
Ehud Barak is elected Prime Minister of Israel.1995
Jacques Chirac takes up his position as President of France
1987
An Iraqi F-I Mirage fighter plane fires two missiles at the USS Stark while it is on patrol in the Gulf. 37 American seamen are killed and at least 60 others injured.1978
The coffin of actor Charlie Chaplin is found 10 miles from the Swiss cemetery where he had been buried, after being stolen on 2nd March.1974
A series of bombs, planted by the Ulster Volvunter force, in Dublin and Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland kill a combined total of 23 people.1973
In America, a Senate Committee begins its televised investigation into the Watergate Scandal.1960
The East-West summit in Paris between the Soviet Union, America, Britain and France fails to get past procedural matters due to a row erupting about the American U2 spy plane that was shot down over Russia on 1 May.1954
Hearing the case Brown v Board of Education, the U.S. Supreme Court overturns a ruling dating back to 1896 that education should be 'separate but equal'. This new ruling outlaws segregation in America's state school system.1940
The Second World War: Germany occupies the Belgian capital Brussels.1875
In America, the first Kentucky Derby is staged at Churchill Downs, Kentucky and won by a horse named Aristides.1814
Norway adopts a new constitution and declares its independence from its Scandinavian neighbours, Sweden.1792
In America, 24 brokers meet on Wall Street in New York to sign an agreement to fix uniform rates of commission for the sale of stocks and bonds - effectively establishing the city's first stock exchange.