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19th May

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1935: Lawrence of Arabia dies


T. E. Lawrence, known to the world as Lawrence of Arabia, dies as a retired Royal Air Force mechanic living under an assumed name. During World War I, Arab forces revolting against the Turks adopted the charismatic Lawrence, a British archeologist and intelligence officer, as their strategic and inspirational leader. After the war, he lobbied hard for Arab independence, refusing a medal from King George V and appearing at the Paris peace conference in Arab robes. A legendary figure in his own lifetime, his autobiography, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, was widely read. In 1922, he gave up higher paying appointments to enlist in the RAF under an assumed name, John Hume Ross. He hoped to escape his fame and acquire material for a new book. Found out by the press, he was discharged, but in 1923 managed to enlist as a private in the Royal Tanks Corps under another assumed name, T. E. Shaw. He later rejoined the RAF and legally changed his last name to Shaw. In 1935, shortly after retiring from military service to concentrate on his writing, he was fatally injured in a motorcycle accident.

1997

British Government controversially announces it is banning sports sponsorship by tobacco companies - but gives a temporary exemption for Formula One motor-racing, who's owner had donated £1m to the Labour Party only a few months earlier.

1993

All 132 passengers and crew are killed when a Boeing 727 crashes into a jungle mountain shortly before landing at Medellin, northwest Colombia.

1992

Two doctors, who performed an autopsy on the body of American President John F Kennedy, confirm he had been killed by two bullets - one fired from above, one from behind.

1982

Italian actress Sophia Loren is jailed for a month for tax evasion.

1906

The official opening by the King of Italy and the President of the Swiss Republic of the 20 kilometre Simplon rail tunnel linking Switzerland and Italy through the Alps.

1906

Joao Franco becomes Prime Minister of Spain with dictatorial powers.

1900

The Tonga Islands in the South Pacific Ocean (numbering around 170) become a British Protectorate.

1849

In England, Irishman William Hamilton is arrested for firing blank shots at Queen Victoria in London.

1802

Napoleon Bonaparte creates the French Legion d'Honeur - an order of distinction for either civil or military service.

1642

In America, the towns of Connecticut, Plymouth and New Haven form a Confederation of the United Colonies of New England as protection in the wars with the native Indians.

1588

Spanish Armada sets sail from Lisbon in Portugal to attack England.

1536

Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII of England and mother of Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth) is executed outside the Tower of London for alleged adultery.

1925

Militant American civil rights leader Malcolm X. Changes his name from Malcolm Little after converting to Islam.

1890

Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese Communist leader - real name: Nguyen That Thanh. Plays a leading role in the struggle that ended French control of Vietnam in 1954. President of North Vietnam from 1954 until his death in 1969.

1861

Dame Nellie Melba, Australian operatic soprano, born as Helen Porter Mitchell. Her career takes her to London's Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. Gives her name to Melba toast, Peach Melba and Melba Sauce.

1994

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Married future American President John F Kennedy in 1953. In 1968, five years after President Kennedy's assassination, married the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis.

1984

British Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, aged 78.

1958

English actor Ronald Colman. Films included 'Random Harvest'; 'The Lost Horizon' and 'A Double Life' for which he won an Oscar.

1935

Former British soldier T.E.Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) dies six days after a motorcycle accident in Dorset. Described his military exploits during World War I in his book 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom'.

1898

William Ewart Gladstone, four times Liberal Prime Minister of Britain, dies at Hawarden Castle in North Wales aged 88. An advocate of social and political reform, he tried without success to give Home Rule to Ireland.

1795

James Boswell, the Scottish diarist, biographer and companion to Dr Samuel Johnson. His 'Life of Johnson' is published in 1791.

1536

Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry VIII of England and mother of Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth) is executed outside the Tower of London for alleged adultery.