On This Day in History
The latest news, updates and opinions on On This Day in History from the expert team here at MoneyWeek
-
2 April 1982: Argentina invades the Falkland Islands
Features On this day in 1982 Argentinian forces landed on the Falkland Islands, sparking a bitter, ten week war with Britain.
By Ben Judge Last updated
Features -
13 April 1960: the first satellite navigation system is launched
Features On this day in 1960, Nasa sent the Transit 1B satellite into orbit to provide positioning for the US Navy’s fleet of Polaris ballistic missile submarines.
By Ben Judge Last updated
Features -
10 April 1912: the Titanic sets sail on its doomed maiden voyage
Features On this day in 1912 the White Star line's 'unsinkable' liner, the RMS Titanic, left Southampton on its doomed maiden voyage.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Last updated
Features -
9 April 1838: National Gallery opens in Trafalgar Square
Features On this day in 1838, William Wilkins’ new National Gallery building in Trafalgar Square opened to the public.
By Ben Judge Last updated
Features -
1 April 1999: The minimum wage is introduced in Britain
Features On this day in 1999, the national minimum wage was introduced in Britain, bringing an instant pay rise to 1.9 million low-paid workers.
By Chris Carter Last updated
Features -
30 March 1867: Russia sells Alaska to the United States
Features With the American Civil War out of the way, the United States agreed on a deal to buy Alaska from Russia, on this day in 1867.
By Chris Carter Last updated
Features -
23 March 1983: Ronald Reagan launches ‘Star Wars’
US president, Ronald Reagan announced the start of research into the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), dubbed “Star Wars” by the press, on this day in 1983.
By Chris Carter Last updated
-
16 March 1872: Wanderers win the first FA Cup final
Features On this day in 1872 Wanderers FC beat the Royal Engineers 1-0 at the Kennington Oval to win the first ever contesting of the Football Association Challenge Cup.
By Ben Judge Last updated
Features -
8 March 1817: the New York Stock Exchange is formed
Features On this day in 1817, a group of brokers moved out of a New York coffee house to form what would become the biggest stock exchange in the world.
By Chris Carter Last updated
Features