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26th October

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1944: Battle of Leyte Gulf ends


After four days of furious fighting, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest air-naval battle in history, ends with a decisive American victory over the Japanese. With the U.S. liberation of the Philippines underway, the desperate Japanese command decided to gamble their combined naval fleet to repulse the Americans. On 23rd October the enemy fleets collided, and hundreds of warships and thousands of aircraft battled for control of the Gulf of Leyte in three simultaneous battles. On 26th October what remained of the devastated Japanese fleet retreated, leaving the Allies in control of the Pacific Ocean. After the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Allies waged an escalating bombing campaign against the Japanese home islands, finally forcing Japan’s surrender in the Second World War in August 1945.

2000

A report in Britain about the spread of mad cow disease and its human variant vCJD criticises officials, scientists and government ministers regarding their handling of the matter.

1994

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin and King Hussein of Jordan sign a peace treaty on the Israeli-Jordanian border.

1984

An American child, known only as 'Baby Fae' is given the heart of a baboon during a transplant operation.

1979

Park Chung Hee, the President of South Korea is killed by the Korean intelligence service.

1965

The Beatles are presented with their MBE’s by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, England.

1959

The Soviet Union releases pictures of the far side of the Moon taken by the satellite Lunik 3.

1955

Ngo Dinh Diem proclaims the Republic of Vietnam with himself as its first president.

1955

The film Rebel Without a Cause, starring James Dean, opens in America.

1951

Winston Churchill Once again becomes Prime Minister of Britain as the Conservative Party wins the General Election.

1942

The Second World War: The Japanese sinks the U.S. Aircraft Carrier Hornet off the coast of the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

1905

Swedish King Oscar II renounces his claim to the Norwegian throne.

1881

In America, the legendary ‘Gunfight at the OK Coral’ takes place outside Tombstone, Arizona Territory, between the Ike Clanton gang and the Earp brothers, Wyatt, Virgil and Morgan.

1863

In England, the Football Association is formed at a meeting at the Freeman’s Tavern in London.

1860

Italian nationalist Giuseppe Garibaldi proclaims Victor Emmanuel II King of Italy in order to establish a united Italy.

1825

In America, the Erie Canal opens, connecting the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River.

1947

American actress Jaclyn Smith born in Houston, Texas. One of three 'Charlie's Angels' in the hit American TV drama series of 1970s.

1942

British actor Bob Hoskins is born in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. Makes his stage debut in 'Romeo and Juliet' in 1969 followed by acclaimed performances in 'Richard III' and 'King Lear' (1971). Television career includes 'Pennies From Heaven' (1978) and film roles in 'The Long Good Friday' (1980); 'Mona Lisa' (1986) and 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?' (1988).

1914

Welsh poet Dylan Thomas born in Swansea. Is a journalist on the 'South Wales Post' before concentrating on writing poetry: 'Eighteen Poems' (1934); 'Twenty-Five Poems' (1937); 'The World I Breathe' (1940). Best known work is 'Under Milkwood' reflecting on scenes and events in a Welsh seaside village. Dies from chronic alcohol abuse during a tour of America in 1953.'Under Milkwood' is broadcast on radio shortly after his death.

1879

Russian political activist Leon Trotsky, born in Ukraine. Is twice arrested and sent to Serbia as a political prisoner before becoming a revolutionary journalist among Russian exiles in the West. Returns to Russia in 1917, joins the Bolshevik Party, and with Lenin, is a key figure in the October Revolution that overthrows Tsar Nicholas II. . Loses influence and power on the death of Lenin and is exiled to Central Asia (1927) and then deported from Russia (1929). Goes to Mexico in 1937 after being sentenced to death in his absence. Assassinated in 1940 in Mexico City. His books include 'History of the Russian Revolution' (1932) and 'The Revolution Betrayed' (1937). Almost 50 years after his death it is revealed he had been murdered by the Soviet secret police.