TODAY IN HISTORY

451

The Romans, under General Flavius Aetius, and Visigoths, under Theodoric I, defeat Attila the Hun at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains at Chalons-sur-Marne or Troyes, resisting the Hun invasion of Roman Gaul and halting their advance. 1519

Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew set out from Sanlucar de Barrameda in Spain on five ships to find a western passage to the Spice Islands. Magellan was killed during the voyage, but one of his ships later circled the world.

1859

George B. Simpson was awarded a US patent for an electro-heater, designed to “warm rooms, boil water, cook victuals”. It is the first electric stove.

1911

British liner RMS Olympic collides with the Royal Navy cruiser HMS Hawke off the Isle of Wight; although seriously damaged, the Olympic returns to Southampton under its own power. The Hawke nearly capsized but also made it safely to port.

1946

The first Cannes Film Festival takes place in France. David Lean’s Brief Encounter is honoured with the Golden Palm, while The Battle Of The Rails wins the International Jury Prize. 1973

Tennis star Billie Jean King beats ageing former tennis champion Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes match at the Houston Astrodome. 2000

Independent counsel Robert Ray announced the end of the Whitewater investigation, saying there was insufficient evidence to warrant charges against President Bill Clinton and first lady Hillary Clinton.