ON THIS DAY
Philosopher Socrates is sentenced to death by the city of Athens for corrupting the minds of the city’s youth and for impiety.
The city of St Louis is established in Spanish Louisiana.
Regulations are proclaimed for the layout of a third Voortrekker town, the first in Natal, named after Piet Retief and Gerrit Maritz (Pietermaritzburg).
The battleship USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana, Cuba, killing 274, leading the US to declare war on Spain.
The Siege of Kimberley is broken by British troops under Lieutenant-General John French after a 124-day siege.
Adolf Hitler announces construction of the Volkswagen Beetle (the People’s Car).
British General Arthur Percival surrenders Singapore to Japan and the largest surrender in history of British-led military personnel (about 80 000) takes place.
After 1 200 years, Great Britain abandons its pence and shilling monetary system for decimal currency.
José María Velasco Ibarra, serving as president of Ecuador for the fifth time, is overthrown by the military for the fourth time.
The drilling rig Ocean Ranger sinks in a storm off Newfoundland, Canada, killing 84 workers.
The USSR announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan.
Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is sentenced in Milwaukee to life in prison after being found guilty of killing 15 boys.
The Alexandra “6-day war” starts – 27 people are killed when the police and army clash with youths over a schoolboy killed by a security guard.
Pat Symcox and Mark Boucher set a new world-record partnership of 195 runs for the ninth wicket against Pakistan.
A fire in a Honduran prison kills 360 people.
A meteor unexpectedly explodes over Russia, injuring 1 500 people as a shock wave blows out windows and rocks buildings – hours before the expected closest approach yet to Earth of a much larger asteroid.
Cyril Ramaphosa is sworn in as South Africa’s president, replacing Jacob Zuma. |