THIS WEEK

JUNE 18, 1984

A violent confrontation, known as The Battle of Orgreave, took place between police and picketers at a British Steel Corporation plant in South Yorkshire during the miners’ strike. Around 6000 officers corralled the picketers and there were 95 arrests, but the trials collapsed when police evidence was deemed unreliable.

JUNE 19, 1978

Garfield (below), the world’s most-syndicated comic strip, made its debut appearance. Created by Jim Davis, it followed the adventures of a fat, lazy, sarcastic cat, his longsuffering owner, Jon, and his dog, Odie.

JUNE 21, 1982

John Hinckley, the man who attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan, was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Hinckley was released from psychiatric care last year.

JUNE 22, 1986

Diego Maradona scored his “Hand of God” goal in Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final against England in Mexico. He put the ball into the net with his fist and followed it up with what was dubbed The Goal Of The Century as Argentina won 2-1 on their way to winning the tournament.

JUNE 24, 2010

The longest match in professional tennis history was won by John Isner of the United States against France’s Nicolas Mahut. The first round match at Wimbledon was played over three days and lasted 11 hours and five minutes. The final set lasted more than eight hours and was scored 70-68 in Isner’s favour.