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24th September

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622: Muhammad's Hegira


The prophet Muhammad escapes death by completing the Hegira, or flight, to Medina from Mecca on this day. Mecca is the holy center of Islam and the birthplace of Muhammad, the religion's great prophet and founder. In 610, in a cave in Mount Hira, north of Mecca, Muhammad had a vision in which God commanded him to become the prophet of the true religion. He gained a significant following in Mecca, provoking the jealous city authorities to plot his death. Muhammad escaped and on September 24, 622, arrived at Medina. There, Muhammad founded Islam as a religion and organized community, and in 630 he returned to Mecca as a conqueror. The Hegira would later mark the beginning (year 1) of the Muslim calendar.

1991

In Beirut, the British hostage Jackie Mann is freed by the Shiite Muslim Revolutionary Justice Organisation after spending more than two years in captivity. He'd been kidnapped in May 1989.

1975

The world's highest mountain, Mount Everest is successfully scaled for the first time via its southwest face by British climbers Dougal Haston and Doug Scott.

1971

British Government announces that 105 Russians are to be deported from Britainfor 'espionage activities'.

1960

The world's first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Enterprise, is launchedat Newport, Virginia.

1947

1,200 Muslim refugees fleeing India to Pakistan by train are massacred by Sikhs at Amritsar in the Punjab.

1930

The first performance of 'Private Lives' by Noel Coward takes place at the New Phoenix Theatre, in London.

1853

The Northern Daily Times in Liverpool becomes the first provincial daily newspapaer in England.

1852

The first hydrogen-filled airship, powered by a 3hp steam engine built by Henri Giffard, makes its maiden flight at Versailles in France. .

1776

The oldest of the British classic horse races, the St Leger, is first run at Doncaster Racecourse.

1942

British pop star Gerry Marsden born in Liverpool.

1941

Linda Eastman, wife of ex 'Beatle' Sir Paul McCartney. Dies in 1998 from cancer.

1931

British singer Anthony Newley.

1896

American novelist F (Francis) Scott Fitzgerald is born in Minnesota. Author of 'The Great Gatsby'.

1982

Sarah Churchill, daughter of former British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, aged 67.