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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11 December 2008: Bernie Madoff arrested for $50bn fraud
Features Billionaire financier Bernie Madoff was arrested on this day six years ago, for running a $50bn Ponzi scheme. He was later sentenced to 150 years in prison.
By Will Martin Last updated
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10 December 1968: the “300 million yen robbery”
Features In Japan's most notorious – and ingenious – robbery, one man outwitted four guards and made off with a car containing ¥300m on this day in 1968.
By MoneyWeek Last updated
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10 December 1868: world's first traffic lights installed in Britain
Features On this day in 1868, the world's first traffic lights – the Westminster Street Semaphore Signals – came to Britain. The experiment would end in tragedy.
By Chris Carter Last updated
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9 December 1960: Coronation Street is first broadcast
Features The first episode of Coronation Street, the world's longest-running soap opera, was broadcast live on this day in 1960. But its was far from assured.
By Chris Carter Last updated
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9 December 1979: smallpox virus eradicated
Features On this day in 1969, the Global Commission for Certification of Smallpox Eradication reported that the deadly disease had finally been wiped from the face of the earth.
By Ben Judge Last updated
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7 December 1732: First Covent Garden Theatre opens
Features On this day in 1732, after a successful fundraising drive, the first theatre opened on the site of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.
By Ben Judge Last updated
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5 December 1933: prohibition ends in America
Features On this day in 1933, America finally gave up on its futile attempt at alcohol prohibition, which had begun with the passing of the 18th Amendment in 1919.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Last updated
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3 December 1984: BT is sold off in a gamble over privatisation
Features In a landmark test of privatisation, the government sold off over half its stake in British Telecom, on this day in 1984.
By Chris Carter Last updated
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3 December 1992: the world’s first text message is sent
Features Twenty two years ago, a developer working in Newbury, Berkshire, sent a two-word text message, marking the start of a whole new way of communicating.
By Ben Judge Last updated
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