1981: The Picasso painting 'Guernica' is returned to Spain after 40 years
On September 10, 1981, Spanish artist Pablo Picasso's monumental anti-war mural Guernica is received in the town of
Guernica, whose suffering during the
Spanish Civil War inspired the painting. In 1937, with the approval of
Francisco Franco, Nazi Germany tested its deadly new
air force on Guernica, a town in the independent-minded
Basque region. In three hours of bombing, one-third of its 5,000 inhabitants were killed. In protest, Picasso painted Guernica from his exile in
Paris. In 1939, the painting went to New York, where it remained, in accordance with Picasso's wishes, until democracy returned to
Spain. It is now housed in the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid. Since 1997, Basque nationalists have been calling for its transfer to the
Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.
1996
Switzerland faces international pressure, particularly from
Britain, to give up an estimated £4 billion in gold looted by the Nazis during
World War II. 1993
The body of former president Ferdinand Marcos is returned to the Phillipines four years after he died in exile in Hawaii.1989
Against the wishes of the East
German Government,
Hungary opens its western border allowing thousands of East German citizens to leave the country.
1988
German tennis player Steffi Graf beats Argentinian Gabriella Sabatini in the final of the US Open to become only fifth person to complete the Grand Slam - winning all four top tennis tournaments in the same
calendar year.
1981
The Picasso painting 'Guernica' is returned to Spain after 40 years in the
United States of America. Pablo Picasso had refused to allow it to be shown in Spain until the restoration of
democracy. 1967
Almost 100 per cent of the voters of Gibraltar reject Spanish rule in favour of retaining British
sovereignty. 1960
An English Football League match is seen live on television in Britain for the first time. Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers draw 0-0.1945
Vidkun Quisling, Germany's 'puppet'
premier of
Norway during World War II is sentenced to death for collaborating with the enemy. He is executed on 24th October.
1943
World War II: German troops occupy
Rome and take over the protection of the Vatican City.
1933
English tennis player Fred Perry becomes the first Briton to win the US Open Championship since 1903.1915
The first branch of the British Women's Institute is founded in the North
Welsh town of Llanfairpwll.
1907
New Zealand is granted Dominion status.1898
Empress Elizabeth of
Austria is murdered by
Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni in Geneva.
1897
London taxi driver George Smith is the first person in Britain to be convicted of drink-driving. He's fined £1 for driving on the pavement in Bond Street.1891
Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-E' , the most popular song in
Victorian England in the 1890s is written by former Canadian bandsman Henry J Sayers - copyrighted in New York. Sayers later admits to copying an Austrian song after hearing the tune being played in a brothel in Missouri.
1855
During the
Crimean War, the Russian Black Sea base of Sebastopol falls to Anglo-French froces after an 11 month siege.
1847
Gold is discovered in California.1823
Simon Bolivar, known as 'the Liberator' is declared dictator of
Peru. 1547
Defeat for the Scots by the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, Edinburgh. 1945
Spanish guitarist and singer Jose Feliciano.1929
American golfer Arnold Palmer born in Youngstown, Pennsylvania. His aggressive, entertaining style of play enthuses millions to take up the game. 1914
American film
director Robert Wise. Films include 'The Day The Earth Stood Still'; 'West Side Story' and 'The Sound of Music'.
1771
Scottish explorer
Mungo Park is born near Stirling. Employed by the African Association to explores and map areas of central Africa.
