7th August 2006

On this day in history

Famous People born on August 7th:
1876 Mata Hari (spy)
1960 David Duchovny (actor)
1975 Charlize Theron (actress)

On This Day In History:

2006

Thomas Wilson is born!

1998

Two terrorist bombs exploded outside the American Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania kill more than 200 and injure a further 5,000. The Islamic Army for the Liberation of Holy Places claims responsibility.

1997

Footballers Bruce Grobbelaar, Hans Segers and John Fashanu are all found not guilty of match fixing.

1995

British athlete Jonathan Edwards twice breaks his own world triple jump record - becoming the first man to clear 18 metres - while winning the gold medal in the World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg.

1990

In South Africa, the African National Congress suspends its 29 year guerilla campaign against 'white rule' - a concession that leads to formal talks on ending the country's system of Apartheid.

1973

US Vice-President Spiro Agnew admits he is under investigation in his own state of Maryland for crimes including fraud and bribery.

1960

Cote d'Ivoire independent from France.

1959

US satellite Explorer 6, is launched from Cape Canaveral - and becomes the first space probe to transmit photographs of the Earth from space.

1953

After discovery of an oversight in its admission process, Ohio is retroactively declared the 17th state admitted on March 1st, 1803.

1942

World War II: US troops land on the Japanese-held island of Guadalcanal in the Southern Solomon Islands in the Pacific.

1926

The first British motor racing Grand Prix is staged at Brooklands - 110 laps of the track for a total distance of 287 miles. Winner is Robert Senechal in just over 4 hours at an average speed of almost 72 miles an hour.

1925

Britain introduces the Daylight Saving Act - bringing in British summer time so the nation changes clocks by one hour twice a year.

1914

World War I: German forces enter the Belgian city of Liege.

1888

Jack the Ripper commits his first murder in London's East End.

1858

Queen Victoria choses Ottawa to be the capital of the Dominion of Canada

1840

The British Parliament passes an Act prohibiting the use of 'climbing boys' as chimney sweeps.

1782

George Washington establishes the Order of the Purple Heart - a decoration for US soldiers wounded in combat.

1711

Ascot racecourse becomes 'Royal' Ascot after the attendance of Queen Anne for a day at the races.

1485

Henry Tudor, the future Henry VII of England, lands in Wales at the start of his succesful bid to take the English throne.