1854: Charge of the Light Brigade
In an event alternately described as one of the most heroic or disastrous episodes in British military history, Lord James Cardigan leads a charge of the Light Brigade
cavalry against well-defended Russian artillery during the Crimean War. The British were winning the Battle of Balaclava when Cardigan received his order to attack the Russians. His cavalry gallantly charged down the valley and were decimated by the heavy Russian guns, suffering 40 percent casualties. It was later revealed that the order was the result of confusion and was not given intentionally. Lord Cardigan, who survived the battle, was hailed as a national hero in Britain.
1995
Fans gathered outside
Buckingham Palace, sing 'Congratulations' after singer Cliff Richard formally receives his knighthood.
1995
Fans gathered outside Buckingham Palace, sing 'Congratulations' after singer Cliff Richard formally receives his knighthood.1983
At least 2,000 US Marines are involved in the invasion of
Grenada. 1978
Queen
Elizabeth II opens the new Anglican Cathedral in Liverpool.
1976
The new National Theatre on the South Bank in London, is officially opened.1971
Taiwan is expelled from the
United Nations - which means the People's Republic of
China is now prepared to agree to join.
1968
In
Britain, Parliament passes the controversial Race Relations Bill.
1961
In Britain, the first edition of the satirical magazine 'Private Eye'1951
In Britain, aged 26, Margaret Roberts (Thatcher) of the
Conservative Party becomes the youngest candidate to stand at a general election. The Conservatives win a narrow overall majority but the future British Prime Minister fails to win the seat.
1936
The world's first radio 'request' programme is broadcast by a station in
Berlin. Its called 'You Ask-We Play'.
1931
In New York, the opening of the
George Washington Bridge between the island of Manhattan and New Jersey - the longest suspension
bridge to have been built.
1917
In Russia, the begining of the 'October Revolution'. Lenin and the Bolsheviks seize the Winter Palace in Petrograd and overthrow the provincial Government.
1900
Britian annexes the former Boer South African Republic and renames it the Transvaal Colony.1874
Britain officially annexes the
Fiji Islands in the South Pacific.
1854
In the
Crimean War, British commander Lord Cardigan leads the ill- fated 'Charge of the Light Brigade' against Russian gun emplacements during the Battle of Balaclava.
1839
In Britain, the first publication of Bradshaw's national
railway timetable.
1415
In the 'Hundred Year's War', the English Army, under King
Henry V, defeats a vastly superior French Army at the Battle of Agincourt.
1881
Pablo Picasso, Spanish painter and creator of
cubism, is born in Malaga, Andalusia.Famous paintings include 'Three Dancers' and 'Guernica'. Dies in 1973.
1825
Austrian violinist, conductor and composer Johann Strauss (the younger or Johann Strauss II) born in Vienna. Composes more than 400 waltzes including 'The Blue Danube' (1867) and 'Tales from the Vienna Woods' and operettas including his best known, 'Die Fledermaus' (1874). Dies in 1899.1340
English writer and poet
Geoffrey Chaucer, author of 'Canterbury Tales'. Dies on his birthday in 1400.
