1989
The day the Berlin Wall fell. East Germany reopened it border with West Germany, allowing its citizens to pass freely through the checkpoints
1983
Dutch brewer Alfred Heineken was kidnapped and a ransom demand issued for more than $10 million (Note: released unharmed 3 weeks later).
Netherlands
1979
Four men were found guilty of killing British paperboy Carl Bridgewater
Great Britain
1938
Kristallnacht – ‘Night of (broken) glass’ – Nazis burned 267 synagogues and destroyed thousands of Jewish homes and businesses in Germany.
Austria
1934
Birth of Carl Sagan, American astronomer, science writer and broadcaster
1909
Birth of Katherine Hepburn, American film, stage and television actress (The African Queen, Guess Whos Coming to Dinner, On Golden Pond)
1908
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became Britain’s first woman mayor when she was elected at Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
1907
The Cullinan Diamond presented to Edward VII on his birthday
1859
The British Army abolished flogging as a punishment
1729
Treaty of Seville signed between Britain, France and Spain – Britain maintained control of Port Mahon and Gibraltar
1492
Peace of Etaples between Henry VII and Charles VIII of France – improvement in relations continued until the end of Henry's reign