On This Day in History
The latest news, updates and opinions on On This Day in History from the expert team here at MoneyWeek
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21 May 1916: The first day of British Summer Time
For the first British Summer Time on this day in 1916, millions of Britons put their clocks forward an hour
By Chris Carter Last updated
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3 April 1948: Marshall Plan signed into law
Features On this day in 1948, Secretary of State George Marshall’s European Recovery Program, otherwise known as the Marshall Plan, is adopted.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Last updated
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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