1999
Death of Christopher Cockerell, British engineer, inventor of the hovercraft
Great Britain
1998
The European Central Bank was founded in Brussels, Belgium .
1994
Following the end of apartheid, South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth
South Africa
1988
US President Ronald Reagan and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty at the Moscow.
1979
Rhodesia ended 90 years of white minority rule, established a black government, and changed its name to Zimbabwe-Rhodesia
Zimbabwe
1977
Maximum British speed limit introduced 70mph dual roads; 60mph single carriageway roads.
Great Britain
1968
Death of Helen Keller, American author and lecturer who earned a college degree despite being blind and deaf for most of her life.
United States
1967
The Beatles release Sgt Peppers
Great Britain
1959
Death of Sax Rohmer, British writer (creator of Fu Manchu)
Great Britain
1958
Iceland extended its fishing limits from 4 miles to 12 miles, initiating the ‘Cod War’ with Britain.
Iceland
1957
ERNIE (Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment) selected the first Premium Bond winners
Great Britain
1938
The first issue of ‘Action Comics’ was published, featuring ‘Superman’ (Note: this issue actually went on sale in April 1938, the cover date is June).
United States
1938
Protective baseball helmets were worn by batsmen for the first time .
United States
1882
Birth of John Drinkwater, British poet, playwright, and critic
Great Britain
1879
First Tay Bridge completed (Thomas Bouch)
Great Britain
1870
Telegraph link to India first open for business
India
1831
James Clark Ross discovers the North Magnetic Pole
1794
1648
Battle of Maidstone
Great Britain
0061
Defeat of Boudicca
Great Britain