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26th January
Post date: 2007-08-15
26th January
1905: Largest diamond found
At a mine in Pretoria, South Africa, a 3,106-carat diamond is discovered during a routine inspection by the mine's superintendent. Christened the Cullinan, it was the largest diamond crystal ever found and was later cut into 106 polished diamonds, together valued at millions of dollars.
The largest of the cut stones was the Star of Africa I, which at 530 carats is the largest-cut fine-quality colourless diamond in the world. The South African province of Transvaal decided to present the gem, along with the smaller Star of Africa II, to Britain's King Edward VII.
Pear-shaped, with 74 facets, the Star of Africa I now resides in the Tower of London among the other Crown Jewels, mounted in the British sovereign's Royal Scepter. The 317-carat Star of Africa II sits in the Imperial State Crown.
2005
Condoleezza Rice is confirmed as the US Secretary of State. She is the highest ranking African-American woman ever to serve in a presidential cabinet.
2004
Afghan President, Hamid Karzai signs the new constitution of Afghanistan.
2001
A massive earthquake hits western India and parts of Pakistan. Thousands of people are killed.
1998
At a Whitehouse news conference, Bill Clinton denies having an affair with Monica Lewinsky, stating that ‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman..’
1982
Unemployment in Britain exceeds three million.
1980
In response to the Soviet military invasion of Afghanistan and at the request of President Carter, the US Olympic Committee votes to ask the International Olympic Committee to cancel or move the Moscow Olympics.
1970
The Vietnam War: US Navy Lt. Everett Alvarez Jr. spends his 2,000th day in North Vietnam.
1952
Fire destroys the National Library in Turin, Italy with the loss of several hundred valuable manuscripts.
1950
India becomes an independent Republic.
1946
In France, Felix Gouin becomes Prime Minister.
1942
The first American forces arrive in Europe, landing in Northern Ireland.
1939
Spanish Civil War: Barcelona falls to the forces of General Franco.
1808
In Australia, The Rum Rebellion succeeds in taking control of the Australian government.
1699
The Treaty of Karlowitz is signed, concluding the Austro-Ottoman War.
1500
Vicente Yáńez Pinzón produced the first recorded account of a European explorer sighting the Brazilian coast.
1945
International cellist Jacqueline Du Pre.
1945
International cellist Jacqueline Du Pre.
1928
American singer Eartha Kitt born in South Carolina.
1925
American film actor Paul Newman.
1922
British comic actor Michael Bentine - one of the original cast of the BBC Radio comedy programme 'The Goon Show'.
1908
French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli born in Paris.
1907
English champion golfer Henry Cotton.
1905
Baroness Maria Von Trapp - who's life story becomes the basis for the film musical 'The Sound of Music'.
1880
American military commander Douglas MacArthur.
1979
US millionaire and politician Nelson Rockefeller. American Vice-President 1974-1977.
1973
American film actor Edward Goldenberg Robinson dies on cancer aged 79.
1891
Nicholaus Otto, pioneer of the internal combustion engine.
1885
General Charles George Gordon is killed at Khartoum.
1824
English physician Edward Jenner - the pioneer of vaccination. |
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