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6 January 1639: Virginia orders the destruction of its tobacco crop
Features Faced with the plunging price of tobacco, the colonists of Virginia directed that half of the crop should be destroyed to avoid an economic catastrophe, on this day in 1639.
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5 January 1766: Christie’s first auction
Features Venerable auction house Christie's began business on this day in 1766 selling pillow cases, bed-sheets and second-hand chamber pots.
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5 January 1971: The first one-day international cricket match
Features On this day in 1971, Australia beat England by five wickets in the first ever one-day international cricket match.
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4 January 1884: Founding of the Fabian Society
Features Rapid economic change in the 19th century didn't benefit everybody. On 4 January 1884, the Fabian Society was established in London to redress the balance.
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4 January 1698: the Palace of Whitehall is destroyed by fire
Features On this day in 1698, a basket of linen caught fire burning to the ground one of Europe's most complex and beautiful royal residences – the Palace of Whitehall.
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2 January 1980: National steelworkers' strike
Features For the first time in over 50 years, Britain’s steelmaking industry saw the start of a national strike on this day in 1980, as unions demanded a 20% pay rise.
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24 December 1955: Norad begins tracking Santa
Features On this day in 1955, the North American Aerospace Defense Command began tracking Santa Claus as he sped around the world delivering presents.
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23 December 1913: The US Federal Reserve is created
Features After much debate, Woodrow Wilson finally signed the bill that would create the US Federal Reserve on this day in 1913.
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23 December 1834: Joseph Hansom patents the Hansom cab
Features The 19th-century forerunner of the London black cab, architect Joseph Aloysius Hansom patented his Hansom cab on this day in 1834.
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