1743

The first rules of boxing are approved.

1896

France annexes Madagascar, whose external treaties with other states are annulled.

1900

Birth of Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Indian politician and diplomat and one of the world's leading women of the time.

1914

US President Woodrow Wilson proclaims American neutrality in World War I; Germany declares war on Russia.

1933

Film director Roman Polanski is born in Paris of Polish parents. He directed films such as Knife in the Water, Rosemary's Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist.

1945

Vietnamese revolutionary forces rise up against Japanese occupation in World War II and seize power in the provincial capitals of Bac Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, and My Tho provinces.

1965

Vietnamese liberation forces win in a massive counter-attack in Van Tuong, Quang Ngai Province, defeating a major operation by 8,000 US marines and paratroopers who were backed by five warships, hundreds of aircraft, tanks and armoured vehicles. This was the first major victory against US military intervention in Viet Nam.

1973

US archaeologists in Greece uncover evidence that man had gone to sea as early as 7500 BC.

1998

The first heart surgery to be broadcast on the internet was performed in the United States by Dr Robert Lazzarra, who carried out two bypass operations.

2000

Indians belonging to a tribe believed to have been decimated 80 years ago are located in the jungles of the Amazon state of Acre in Brazil.

2002

Heads of government from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic and Slovakia convened in Berlin to organise financial relief efforts after more than a week of the worst flooding that led to at least 109 deaths across Europe, and caused an estimated US$20 billion in damage.

2006

UN and maritime agencies promise help to Lebanon to clean up an oil slick caused by Israeli bombing during month long fighting. The spill has been described as Lebanon's worst-ever environmental disaster.

2008

Pervez Musharraf resigns as the president of Pakistan. — REUTERS/AP