1992
Britain drops out of the Exchange Rate Mechanism
Great Britain
1979
The Shah of Iran fled to Egypt with his family and went into exile
Iran, Islamic Republic of
1957
Death of Arturo Toscanini, conductor.
Italy
1933
Birth of Susan Sontag, American writer .
United States
1919
Prohibition: 36 US states ratified the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, outlawing the manufacture, transport and sale of alcoholic beverages from 16th January 1920
United States
1909
Ernest Shackleton's expedition finds the magnetic South Pole
Great Britain
1908
Birth of Ethel Merman, American actress and singer (She claimed to have been born in 1909).
United States
1883
The Pendleton Civil Service Act was passed, establishing the United States Civil Service.
United States
1809
Peninsular War: the Battle of Corunna, northern Spain. The British, commanded by Sir John Moore, defeated Nicolas Soults French troops
1761
British capture Pondicherry, India from the French
1707
Union with Scotland – Scots agree to send 16 peers and 45 MPs to English Parliament in return for full trading privileges – Scottish Parliament meets for the last time in March
Great Britain
1581
English Parliament outlaws Roman Catholicism
Great Britain