1992 - The assassinated head of state of Algeria, Mohammad Boudiaf, was buried in a martyrs’ grave two days after being gunned down by a member of his security guard. Emotional scenes and tight security underlined the deep division of this north African country. Angry, chanting mourners accused both fundamentalists and Algeria’s “old guard” of slaying the 73-year-old leader. The killer was a sub-lieutenant in the country’s counter-espionage unit. He was on security duty to protect Boudiaf, who was gunned down during a public speech in east Algeria. Initial reports said the assassin had been killed on the spot, but the authorities later said he had been captured and would lead them to those behind the assassination.
Other important events
1841 - The Colony of New Zealand is established.
1847 - US Post Office issues the first adhesive-backed stamps.
1867 - Canada becomes Britain’s self-governing dominion.
1903 - The first Tour de France bicycle race begins.
1910 - South Africa becomes a dominion of the British Empire.
1947 - The Philippines Air Force is established.
1948 - New York International Airport is officially opened.
1961 - Algerians vote overwhelmingly for independence from France.
1967 - China’s Communist Party proclaims overthrow of President Liu Shai Chi.
1973 - Thomas Bradley becomes the first African American mayor of Los Angeles.
1974 - President Juan Peron of Argentina dies during a third term in office.
1991 - The Warsaw Pact is officially dissolved at a meeting in Prague.
1992 - Nato and former Warsaw Pact countries reach agreement on limiting troop strength.
1994 - Yasser Arafat returns to the Gaza Strip to address Palestinians in the new self-rule area.
1996 - The world’s first voluntary euthanasia law takes effect in Australia’s Northern Territory.
1999 - Queen Elizabeth II opens Scotland’s first Parliament in nearly 300 years.
2000 - Actor Walter Matthau dies of a heart attack at the age 79.
2002 - The International Criminal Court opens in The Hague.
2005 - Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, announces her retirement.
2007 - The first Salik toll system at Al Garhoud Bridge and on Shaikh Zayed Road comes into effect in Dubai.
2010 - Al Maktoum International Airport is officially inaugurated in Jebel Ali, Dubai.
2014 - Israel bombs dozens of sites in the Gaza Strip, striking at Hamas after finding the bodies of three missing teenagers.
2015 - US and Cuba to reopen embassies after 54 years.
2016 - Gunmen storm the Holey Artisan Bakery restaurant in Dhaka, open fire and killing 20 people.
