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17 November 1869: Opening of the Suez Canal
Features On this day in 1869, the Suez Canal, designed by Frenchman Ferdinand de Lessops, opened for business, connecting Europe to Asia through Africa.
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16 November 1904: John Ambrose Fleming patents the oscillation valve
Features On this day in 1914, John Ambrose Fleming patented his oscillation valve – a component which formed the basis of the electronics industry for half a century.
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14 November 1995: US government shuts down
Features On this day in 1995, the US government shut down museums and national parks after Bill Clinton and Congress were unable to agree on a budget.
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13 November 1865: US issues its first gold certificates
Features The effects of loose money-printing and counterfeit notes led the US to issue its first ‘gold certificates’ – a form of paper currency backed by gold – on this day in 1865.
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13 November 1947: Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK-47 makes its debut
Features Russian Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK-47 assault rifle was first demonstrated to Soviet officials on this day in 1947.
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12 November 1859: Jules Leotard's flying trapeze
Features On this day in 1859, Jules Leotard performed the world’s first ever flying trapeze act, wowing audiences in the Cirque Napoleon in Paris.
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12 November 1990: Tim Berners-Lee sets out to build the World Wide Web
Features On this day in 1990, Sir Tim Berners-Lee set out his proposals for creating the World Wide Web.
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11 November 1887: work begins on the Manchester Ship Canal
Features On this day in 1887, work began on digging the 36-mile-long Manchester Ship Canal, which would enable the city’s exporters to bypass the expensive port of Liverpool.
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10 November 1980: Michael Foot elected Labour leader
Features On this day in 1980, Michael Foot won the Labour party leadership election, steering the party into its worst-ever general election defeat.
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