ON THIS DAY

King Louis XVI of France is put on trial for treason during the French Revolution

James Dube, a Zulu chief converted by the Reverend Daniel Lindley, is ordained as minister. Dube was the father of John Langalibalele Dube.

Sir Bartle Frere, new British High Commissioner, delivers an ultimatum to Cetshwayo, Zulu chief, to disband his army, hand over certain offenders and receive a British resident. This led to the war between Britain and Zululand the following year.

In the Battle of Magersfontein the Boers, commanded by General Piet Cronjé, inflict a defeat on the forces of the British Empire commanded by Lord Methuen trying to relieve the Siege of Kimberley. Apart from the dead and injured, many hundreds, especially the kilted Scots, are rendered medical casualties through exposure and serious sunburn.

In retaliation for an IRA ambush, British forces burn and loot numerous buildings in Cork. Many civilians report being beaten, shot at, robbed and verbally abused by British forces.

George VI becomes King of England following the abdication of Edward VIII.

World War II: Germany and

Italy declare war on the US after the Americans’ declaration of war on the Empire of Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The US declares war on them.

Che Guevara speaks at the UN General Assembly in New York City.

Apollo 17 becomes the sixth and last Apollo mission to land on the Moon.

Fifty-two people are killed in attacks and counter-attacks in Thokoza, East Rand.

Hours before US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright arrives in Rwanda, Hutu rebels attack a village with guns, grenades and machetes, killing 231.

A passenger plane crashes in Thailand, killing 101. The pilot flying the Airbus A310-300 is thought to have suffered spatial disorientation.

Bernard Madoff is arrested and charged with securities fraud in a $50 billion Ponzi scheme. |