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8th November

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1793: Musée du Louvre opens


The Louvre, originally a royal palace, is opened as an art museum in Paris by the French revolutionary government. The Louvre featured a vast collection of master works, including paintings assembled by Charles I of England and the comte d'Angiviller. Two major wings were added to the museum in the 19th century. Traditionalists were outraged in the 1980s, when a giant steel-and-glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei was constucted in the courtyard in an ambitious attempt to revamp the Louvre into the world’s largest museum.

1995

General Colin Powell, former head of the United States' armed forces, announces that he will not be seeking to become America's first black president.

1987

In Northern Ireland, 11 people are killed by an IRA bomb which explodes shortly before a Remembrance Day service at Enniskillen.

1974

The world famous fruit and vegetable market at Covent Garden in London closes after existing for more than 300 years.

1967

Britian's first local radio station is launched by the BBC in Leicester.

1966

Italian city of Florence appeals for help to save valuable art treasures threatened by severe flooding.

1960

In America, Democrat John F Kennedy defeats Republican Richard Nixon to become US President.

1920

In Britain, the newspaper 'The Daily Express' publishes the first 'Rupert Bear' strip cartoon.

1917

Nikolai Lenin becomes Chief Commissar in Russia and Leon Trotsky named as Russian Premier.

1904

Republican US President Theodore Roosevelt wins another presidential term after defeating his Democrat challenger Alton Parker.

1895

In Germany, scientist Wilhelm Rontgen discovers X rays during an experiment at the University of Wurzburg.

1892

In America, Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland wins the US presidential election.

1864

Abraham Lincoln is re-elected President of the United States with Andrew Johnson his Vice-President.

1861

In America, the 'Trent Affair'. Confederate commissioners to Great Britain and France are forced off a British ship by Unionists. They're released and allowed back on board after strong British protests.

1793

Louvre Museum in Paris officially opens to the public.

1943

English international footballer Martin Peters - a member of the England team which wins the World Cup in 1966. Becomes Britian's first £200,000 player when moves from West Ham to Tottenham Hotspur in 1970.

1927

British comedian Ken Dodd.

1922

South African heart-transplant surgeon Christiaan Barnard. Performs the world's first heart transplant during 1960s

1909

American actress Katherine Hepburn. Films include 'African Queen' and 'On Golden Pond'.

1900

American writer Margaret Mitchell - author of 'Gone With The Wind'.

1847

Author Bram Stoker - creator of 'Dracula'.

1656

Astronomer Edmond Halley.

1608

English poet John Milton.

1886

English champion jockey Fred Archer - 5 times winner of the 'Derby'. Dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Suffered severe depression following the death of his wife in child birth two years earlier.

1674

Writer and poet John Milton.