ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

November 26

❑ 1 year ago…Omicron fear

The World Health Organization declares a new coronavirus variant named Omicron and first discovered in South Africa to be “of concern”.

❑ 5 years ago…F1 victory

Lewis Hamilton, below, claims his fourth Formula 1 World Drivers Championship title.

❑ 14 years ago… Mumbai terror

Shootings and bombings in the Indian city by an Islamic terrorist group leaves more than 170 people dead and 300 wounded.

❑ 19 years ago…Concorde retires

The supersonic jet airliner makes its final flight from Heathrow Airport to Filton in Bristol.

❑ 30 years ago…Queen taxed

Prime Minister John Major announces Queen Elizabeth II is to start voluntarily paying income tax on royal earnings.

❑ 39 years ago…Brinks-Mat heist

Robbers take £26million in cash, diamonds and gold from a warehouse at Heathrow. Most of the loot would never be recovered.

❑ 54 years ago…Race law

The new Race Relations Act comes into force making it illegal to refuse housing, employment or public services to people because of their ethnic background.

❑ 74 years ago… Polaroid launches

American scientist and inventor Edwin H. Land debuts the first Polaroid Camera, the Model 95, which allows a photo to be developed in only 60 seconds.

❑ 80 years ago… Casablanca opens

The wartime romantic movie, below, starring Humphrey Bogart, inset, and Ingrid Bergman, has its premiere in New York. ❑ 100 years ago…King Tut’s tomb Archaeologist Howard Carter and his backer Lord Carnarvon enter the rediscovered tomb of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun for the first time. Peanuts cartoon creator Charles M. Schulz is born the same day. ❑ 108 years ago…Maritime tragedy A huge internal explosion rips through the battleship HMS Bulwark in the Medway near Sheerness in Kent, killing nearly 800 of her crew. ❑ 319 years ago…Great storm A cyclone strikes southern England causing 2,000 chimneys to be knocked down in London, 4,000 oaks lost in the New Forest and 8,000 people killed.