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14th November

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1982: Walesa released from jail


The city of Gdansk, birthplace of Poland's historic shipyard strike, celebrates the homecoming of Solidarity leader Lech Walesa on November 14, 1982. Walesa, Poland's champion of trade unionism, was imprisoned in 1981 as part of communist leader Wojciech Jaruzelski's crackdown on the Solidarity movement, but supporters called for the middle-aged electrician's release in street demonstrations, union meetings, and church gatherings. Not even the forces of martial law could silence the national cry to Free Lech! Walesa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983, and in 1990 he became Poland's first democratically elected leader.

1995

Diana, Princess of Wales discloses she has given a major interview to the BBC TV programme Panorama in which she discusses the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles and admits committing adultery.

1977

First national firemen's strike in Britain. More than 10,000 troops are called in to cover emergencies.

1973

Princess Anne marries Captain Mark Phillips.

1973

England football captain Bobby Moore plays his last international match - against Italy at Wembley - his 108th game for his country.

1948

Birth of Prince Charles - first child of Princess Elizabeth.

1941

Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier Ark Royal sinks off Gibraltar after being hit by an Italian torpedo.

1940

World War II: German bombers launch a major night raid on Coventry in the Midlands. More than 1000 are killed and Coventry Cathedral is destroyed.

1938

In Germany, Jews are expelled from colleges and universities.

1911

George V and Queen Mary land at Gibraltar - the first time a reigning British monarch has visited a British Commonwealth country.

1900

French Senate votes in favour of the admitting women to practise at the Bar.

1896

In Britain, the speed limit for horseless carriges is raised from 4mph to 14mph.

1770

Scottish explorer James Bruce discovers the source of the Blue Nile.

1582

English dramatist William Shakespeare marries Anne Hathaway.

1948

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. Eldest son of HM Elizabeth II.

1936

British wrestler Shirley Crabtree (Big Daddy).

1935

King Hussein of Jordan.

1904

England cricketer Harold Larwood.

1889

Indian politician Jawaharlal Nehru.

1840

French artist Claude Monet.

1831

German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Hegel aged 61.