1962: Marilyn Monroe found dead
American actress Marilyn Monroe is found dead in her home in Los Angeles. Monroe, born Norma Jean Mortenson in 1926, is remembered as one of the world’s most enduring sex symbols. The most famous entertainer of her day, her 23 movies grossed more than $200 million. She was a natural comedienne, and her look, blond hair, voluptuousness, and wide-eyed charm was widely imitated. At the time of her death, an empty bottle that had contained barbiturates was found beside her bed, leading police to label her death a suicide. Some doubted this conclusion, but the unknown details of Marilyn Monroe’s final performance only add to her mystique.
2003
A bomb explodes outside the Marriot hotel in Jakarta,
Indonesia. It is thought that the attack, in which 13 people were killed, was carried out by the radical Islamic group Jemaah Islamiah.
1983
In
Northern Ireland, twenty-two members of the
IRA are jailed for a total of more than 4,000 years. The prosecutions were carried out largely as a result of information supplied by IRA informer Christopher Black. In 1986 18 of those jailed had their convictions quashed.
1981
In America, President Ronald Reagan begins
firing 11,359 air-traffic controllers on strike in violation of his order for them to return to work.
1975
In
Britain, a forestry official reports that the deadly tree disease Dutch elm disease is spreading throughout the country.
1973
Two members of the Palestinian militant group
Black September attack passengers at Athens airport, killing three people and wounding 55 others.
1963
113 countries including Britain, the United States and the
USSR sign a nuclear test ban treaty, agreeing that any further tests should be carried out underground.
1962
In
South Africa, ANC leader Nelson Mandela is arrested and later jailed for attempting to overthrow the South African Government.
1960
Burkina Faso, then known as Upper Volta, gains independence from
France. 1948
An earthquake hits
Ecuador killing 6,000 people and injuring another 20,000.
1858
After several unsuccessful attempts, the first telegraph line across the Atlantic Ocean is completed, a feat accomplished largely through the efforts of American merchant Cyrus West Field.1538
English explorer Sir
Humphrey Gilbert founds the first English colony in North America at St John's in Newfoundland,
Canada. 1305
Scottish leader
William Wallace is betrayed by John de Menteith as the English capture Wallace at Robroyston near Glasgow.
1952
Irish singer Bob Geldof - creator of Band Aid and Live Aid 1930
US astronaut Neil Armstrong 1906
American film
director John Huston - son of film actor Walter Huston..
