1945: Nuremberg Trials begin
This day marks the start of the International War Crimes Tribunal in Nuremberg,
Germany, during which 24 high-ranking Nazis are held accountable for atrocities perpetrated during
World War II. The trial was the first of its kind in history, conducted by British, Soviet, American, and French judges. On October 1, 1946, 12 architects of
Nazi policy were sentenced to death. Seven others were sentenced to varying prison terms and three were acquitted. Among those condemned to die were Hermann Goering, leader of the
Gestapo and the
Luftwaffe, and
Joachim von Ribbentrop, Nazi minister of foreign affairs. On October 16, the condemned were hanged, excluding Goering, who committed suicide on the eve of his scheduled execution, and
Martin Bormann, a Nazi party leader who was convicted in absentia (but is now thought to have died in May 1945). Trials of lesser Nazi war criminals continued in Germany into the 1950s.
1995
In a controversial TV interview, Diana, Princess of Wales - wife of Prince Charles - admitts to having had an affair with Captain James Hewitt.1992
Windsor Castle is badly damaged by fire.1979
Anthony Blunt, Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, is stripped of his knighthood after being exposed as the Fourth Man in the Burgess, Maclean and Philby spy scandal.
1974
In
Australia, British Labour
MP John Stonehouse fakes his own death -disappearing after leaving a pile of his clothes by the sea.
1951
Snowdonia in Wales is designated Britain's first National Park.1947
Princess Elizabeth marries Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten1945
Beginning of the Nuremburg War Crimes Trial of 20 senior
Nazi officials including Hermann Goering,
Rudolf Hess and Von Ribbentrop.The Trial
last 218 days.
1944
World War II: The end of the 'blackout' in London. After five years in the dark, the lights are switched back on in Piccadilly Circus, the Strand and in Fleet Street.
1906
Automotive pioneers Charles Rolls and Henry Royce collaborate to form a new car
company, Rolls Royce
Ltd. On the same day, in 1931, the company buys Bentley Motors.
1818
South American revolutionary leader Simon Bolivar declares
Venezuela to be independant of
Spain.
1759
A British fleet, commanded by Admiral Hawke, defeats a French fleet at the Battle of Quiberon Bay.
868
St Edmund
Saxon king of East Anglia, is martyred by the Vikings, who tie him to a tree, shoot at him with arrows, then behead him. His bodied is enshrined at Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.
1919
British comedian
Harry Worth.
1917
South African golfer Bobby Locke.1908
Writer, journalist and broadcaster
Alistair Cooke. Made famous by his 'Letter from America' on
BBC Radio.
1899
American astronomer
Edwin Hubble.
1841
French impressionist painter Pierre Auguste Renoir.1975
Spanish dictator General Franco aged 82.1910
Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer.1847
Reverend H F Lyte: author of 'Abide With Me'.
