On this day

71 YEARS AGO (1948)

We reported that US President Harry Truman officially recognised the new Jewish state of Israel. The move stunned the Arab world, with Egypt sending in an invasion force. 62 YEARS AGO (1957) The UK dropped its first hydrogen bomb in controversial tests at Christmas Island in the Pacific. Made by British scientists, the bomb was equivalent to one million tons of TNT.

108 YEARS AGO (1911) The Parliament Act was passed establishing the authority of the House of Commons over the Lords. The Act reduced the term of a parliament from seven to five years.