2000
Ken Livingstone elected first Mayor of London (not to be confused with Lord Mayor of London!)
Great Britain
1998
‘Unabomber’ Theodore Kaczynski was given four life sentences plus 30 years by a federal judge in Sacramento, California.
United States
1989
Iran-Contra Affair: former White House aide Colonel Oliver North was convicted of accepting an illegal gratuity, obstructing a congressional inquiry, and destroying official documents. (Convictions later overturned)
United States
1988
The PEPCON disaster – tons of rocket fuel detonated in a fire in Henderson, Nevada, killing 2 people and injuring over 300.
United States
1984
Death of Diana Dors, British film actress
Great Britain
1983
US President Ronald Reagan declared public support for the Nicaraguan Contras who aimed to overthrow the Sandinista government.
United States
1980
Death of President Tito of Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
1979
Margaret Thatcher becomes first woman UK Prime Minister
Great Britain
1959
The first Grammy Awards were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, California
United States
1949
The entire Torino F.C. football team was killed in a plane crash near Turin, Italy. (One injured player did not make the trip and was the only survivor)
Italy
1939
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill urged the Government to accept the Soviet Unions offer of a three-way military alliance with France
Great Britain
1780
First Derby run at Epsom (some say 2nd June)
Great Britain
1471
Battle of Tewkesbury – Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian Army and kills Edward, Prince of Wales
Great Britain