1556: Mughal victory assures Akbar's ascension
Fifty miles north of Delhi, a Mughal army defeats the forces of Hemu, a Hindu general who was trying to usurp the Moghul throne from 14-year-old Akbar, the recently proclaimed emperor. Victory at Panipat assured Akbar's ascension, but the empire he inherited from his father was greatly diminished after decades of Mughal defeats against the Hindus and Afghans. Under a series of able regents and then under his own brilliant leadership, Akbar brought the Mughal Empire to unprecedented glory, extending Mughal power over most of the Indian subcontinent. Akbar the Great, as he is known, was as a capable an administrator as he was a general, and he twice married Hindu princesses to ensure the unity of his empire. Although he never renounced
Islam, he took an active interest in other religions and his court was a center of learning and culture. Akbar died in 1605.
1991
Millionaire
publishing tycoon
Robert Maxwell is found dead at sea – several hours after mysteriously disappearing from his yacht off the Canary Islands.
1990
In New York, Rabbi
Meir Kahane, founder of the militant Jewish Defence League and Israel's anti-Arab Kach Party, is assassinated.
1972
In
Sweden, four young musicians form themselves into a group called 'ABBA'
1968
In America, Republican candidate Richard Nixon becomes the 37th US President.1956
A popular uprising in
Hungary is crushed by Soviet tanks and troops. An estimated 20,000 Hungarians are killed. Many more flee the country.
1952
In America, Dwight D.Eisenhower wins the US Presidential Election with Richard Nixon as his Vice President.1950
American General Douglas McArthur reports Chinese Communist troops are massing in
North Korea. 1927
Britain introduces its first automatic traffic lights in Wolverhampton in the West Midlands.1919
Italian-born American
actor Rudolph Valentino, the cinema's first male sex symbol, marries actress Jean Acker. The marriage lasts less than 6 hours.
1917
World War I: US troops commanded by General Pershing go into action for the first time on the
Western Front. 1914
Britain annexes the Mediteranean island of
Cyprus. 1912
The appointment of a British Board of Film Censors to classify films as either a 'U' for 'Universal' or 'Not Suitable for Children'.1909
Woolworths opens its first British store in Liverpool.1883
In
Sudan, the Madhi defeats an Egyptian force commanded by British General
William Hicks before attacking the capital, Khartoum.
1872
In America, Republican
Ulysses Grant is re-elected US President.
1872
The ship, the 'Marie Celeste' sets sail. Its found floating but completely deserted on December 5th.1859
In
Britain, the repeal of the law compelling people to celebrate 'Guy Fawkes' Night'.
1854
In the Crimean War: combined British and French forces defeat the Russians at the Battle of Inkerman.1605
Roman Catholic
Guy Fawkes and several of his co-conspirators are arrested in London when guards discover them planting 30 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar underneath the Houses of Parliament. All are later executed for
treason. The 'Gunpowder Plot' is commemorated each year in Britain on 'Guy Fawkes' Night'.
1963
American actress Tatum O'Neil - daughter of 'Love Story'
actor Ryan O'Neil. Marries American tennis star John McEnroe.
1941
US musician Art Garfunkel - partner of Paul Simon.1935
British champion jockey Lester Piggott.1913
Actress Vivien Leigh. Star of the film 'Gone With The Wind' alongside Clark Gable. Marries British actor Lawrence Olivier.131995
British singer and comedienne Marti Caine dies of cancer.1982
French comedy actor Jacques Tati dies aged 74.1960
American film producer Mack Sennett - King of Comedy who 'discovered' silent screen star Charlie Chaplin.
