ON THIS DAY

39 years ago (1982)

We revealed fears of a “heavy loss of life” as Argentine warplanes attacked the container ship Atlantic Conveyor and the destroyer HMS Coventry during the Falklands War.

The raid was timed to coincide with Argentina’s National Day marking its independence from Spain in 1810. The Conveyor sank with the loss of 12 lives, including Captain Ian North. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

113 years ago (1908)

The first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East was made in south west Persia, now Iran, which would change the economy and politics of the region.

The rights were secured by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company which became the British Petroleum Company in 1954.

54 years ago (1967)

The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, their eighth studio album and first release since they announced their retirement from touring in August 1966.

It was ranked by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest album of all time and has since sold more than 32 million copies.