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3rd September

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1935: Campbell exceeds 300 mph


On 3 September 1935, a new land speed record is set by Britain’s famed speed demon, Sir Malcolm Campbell. On the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, Campbell and his car Bluebird made two runs over a one-mile course at speeds averaging 301 miles per hour. After conquering land, he later turned to water and achieved a series of water-speed records in motorboats.

2004

355 people are killed as the siege at a school in the Russian town of Beslan comes to a bloody end.

1998

A Swissair plane crashes off the coast of Nova Scotia killing all 229 people onboard.

1984

A massive storm batters the south of the Philippines, when it finishes 4,353 are killed. 

1976

The U.S. spacecraft Viking II lands on Mars after a journey through space lasting 359 days and begins sending pictures of the planet back to earth.

1976

In England, a riot in Hull prison comes to an end after 67 hours.

1954

The National Trust for Scotland buys the Fair Isle famous for its wildlife.

1950

A U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group arrives in Saigon to screen French requests for American military aid, assist in the training of South Vietnamese troops, and advise on strategy.

1943

The Second World War: British troops invade mainland Italy.  

1943

The Second World War: Britain and France declare war on Germany.

1930

More than 8,000 people killed by a hurricane in the Dominican Republic.

1914

Cardinal Giacomo Della Chiesa is elected Pope Benedict XV.

1783

Britain recognises the United States of America by signing the Treaty of Paris which officially ends the American War of Independence.

1777

The American flag is flown in battle for the first time, during a Revolutionary War skirmish at Cooch’s Bridge, Maryland.

1651

The English Civil War: Defeat for the Royalist supporters of Charles II by the Parliamentary army commanded by Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Worcester.

1189

Richard the Lionheart is crowned King of England at Westminster following the death of his father, Henry II.

1965

American actor Charlie Sheen born in New York City - son of Hollywood actor Martin Sheen. Films include 'Wall Street' and 'Platoon'.

1942

American musician Al Jardine. Becomes a member of one of America's most successful pop groups in the 1960s - 'The Beach Boys'.

1940

British actress Pauline Collins. Gains international fame playing the title role in the film 'Shirley Valentine'.

1913

American film actor Alan Ladd is born in Hot Springs,Arkansas. His height - just 5ft 6 ins - doesn't hamper his career. Leading ladies either stand in a trench or he on a box! Films include 'The Blue Dahlia' and 'Shane'.

1991

Italian-born film director Frank Capra dies aged 94. A winner of three Oscars.

1969

Vietnamese statesman Ho Chi Minh. Born Nguyen That Thanh in 1890.

1918

Australian explorer and Statesman Sir John Forest.

1658

Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell, dies of pneumonia. Cromwell, a Puritan, entered parliament in 1628 and fought against Charles I in the English Civil War quickly rising to command his own army.