1767 – Ayutthaya kingdom falls to Burmese invaders.
1886 – William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the British House of Commons.
1838 – The Great Western, the earliest regular transatlantic steamer, embarked on its maiden voyage from Bristol, England, to New York City.
1898 – Battle of Atbara River, Anglo-Egyptian forces crush 6,000 Sudanese.
1913 – Opening of China’s 1st parliament takes place in Peking (now Beijing).
2004 – Darfur conflict: The Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement is signed by the Sudanese government and two rebel groups.
Births & Deaths:
2013 – British politician Margaret Thatcher, who was the United Kingdom’s (and Europe’s) first woman prime minister (1979–90) and the only British prime minister in the 20th century to win three consecutive terms, died in London.
Sport:
1974 – Hammerin’ Hank Aaron hits 715th HR, breaking Babe Ruth’s record in Atlanta.
Music:
1876 – Amiliare Ponchielli’s opera “La Gioconda” premieres in Milan.
TV & Film:
1990 – “Twin Peaks” created by David Lynch and starring Kyle MacLachlan premieres on ABC-TV.
Via Britannica / On This Day
