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Cuban prisoners arriving back in Florida 1962: Bay of Pigs prisoners fly to freedom

More than 1,000 men taken prisoner at the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba return to the United States in time for Christmas.

John Stonehouse 1974: 'Drowned' Stonehouse found alive
Former UK minister John Stonehouse has been found in Australia after apparently faking his own death.

Earthrise photo taken by Apollo 8 astronauts (picture: Nasa) 1968: First astronauts orbit Moon
The Apollo 8 spacecraft and its crew of three astronauts become the first manned space mission to orbit the Moon.

Ariane 1 on launch pad 1979: Europe launches first rocket
The first European-built rocket, Ariane 1, successfully blasts off into space.

North Sea oil rig 1988: Oilfields crippled after storage ship drifts
North Sea oil production is dealt another blow months after the Piper Alpha disaster.

1997: Minister's son arrested in drug probe
The son of an unnamed Cabinet minister is arrested on suspicion of selling drugs.
 Around this Day
21 December
Top Story 1988: Jumbo jet crashes onto Lockerbie
22 December
Top Story 1972: Survivors found 10 weeks after plane crash
23 December
Top Story 1972: Earthquake wreaks devastation in Nicaragua
25 December
Top Story 1989: Romania's 'first couple' executed
26 December
Top Story 2004: Thousands die in Asian tsunami
27 December
Top Story 1965: Sea Gem oil rig collapses
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World War II - 1939 to 1945
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