World Events Today
- West Germany was declared to have, “the authority of a sovereign state”, today in 1955
- The Provisional Irish Republican Army, the IRA, member Bobby Sands, died whilst on hunger strike in H M Prison Maze in Northern Ireland today in 1981, he was the leader of a protest against the British government
- The United Kingdom general election, held today in 2005, saw the Labour leader, Tony Blair, voted in for a third term
Entertainment Events Today
- Carnegie Hall, in Midtown Manhattan in New York, officially opened today in 1891
- Chanel No. 5, the first perfume from French couturier Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, was launched today in 1921
- The first Three Stooges short film made for Columbia Pictures, Woman Haters, premiered today in 1934
Family Events Today
- The French statesman and military leader Napoléon Bonaparte, died today in 1821 aged 51, he was in exile on the remote island of Saint Helena at the time
- The English comedian, actor and television presenter Michael Palin, member of the comedy group Monty Python, was born today in 1943 in Sheffield
- Bill Ward the original drummer of the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, was born today in 1948 in Birmingham
Main Event Today
- The Iranian Embassy Siege in London, ended today in 1980, the SAS, the Special Air Service, stormed the building, killing five of the six hostage-takers and rescuing all but one of the hostages
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Cartoonists Day