1990
Nelson Mandela released in South Africa
South Africa
1975
Margaret Thatcher becomes leader of Conservative party (in opposition)
Great Britain
1944
Martin Drew Jazz drummer born
Great Britain
1929
Italy and the Vatican signed the Lateran Treaty, which recognised the Vatican Citys independence and sovereignty
Italy
1909
Birth of Max Baer, American world heavyweight boxing champion & actor
United States
1909
Birth of Joseph Mankiewicz, American film director, producer and writer
United States
1908
Birth of Vivian Fuchs, British geologist and Antarctic explorer
Great Britain
1907
EW (Jim) Swanton born 1907 (died 2002). Cricket correspondent of The Daily Telegraph, 1946-75. He published more than eight million words on cricket alone.
Great Britain
1858
Bernadette Soubirous saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in Lourdes, France
France
1833
Birth of Melville Weston Fuller, 8th Chief Justice of the United States .
United States
1809
American engineer and inventor Robert Fulton patented the steamboat
United States
1808
Anthracite was first burned as a fuel
1793
Britain declares war on France (1793-1802)