Zambia smashes plot to overthrow government
1980 - Zambian security forces have captured more than 40 heavily armed men from neighbouring Zaire who planned to overthrow the Zambian government with South Africa’s help, President Kenneth Kaunda charged. Kaunda told a news conference at his state house residence that at least three high-ranking officers in the Zambian security forces were involved in the coup attempt. The president said the armed band was split into two units — one operating from Chilanga, south of the capital and the other from northern Zambia. He said more than 10 gang members are still at large. Kaunda alleged he had received information that a former Zambian businessman, Elias Kaenga was recruiting Zambian dissidents and Zaireans from Katanga to topple the Zambian government.
October 27
1806 - France’s Napoleon Bonaparte occupies Berlin.
1807 - Spain and France agree to conquer Portugal.
1871 - Britain annexes the diamond fields of Kimberly, South Africa.
1904 - First rapid transit subway opens in New York City.
1938 - DuPont announces the invention of nylon, a synthetic yarn.
1954 - Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. becomes the first African-American general in the US Air Force.
1955 - Egypt and Saudi Arabia sign a joint defence agreement in Cairo.
1971 - Republic of Congo-Kinshasa becomes Republic of Zaire.
1990 - Askar Akayev becomes the first President of Kyrgyzstan.
1991 - Turkmenistan declares itself an independent republic.
1997 - The Dow Jones industrial average tumbles 554.26 points, forcing the stock market to shut down for the first time since 1981.
1998 - Gerhard Schroeder is sworn in as German chancellor.
1999 - Armenian Prime Minister Vazgen Sarkisian is assassinated
2002 - Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva becomes Brazil’s first leftist president.
2006 - Pakistan’s former president Ghulam Ishaq Khan dies after a prolonged illness, at the age of 91.
2007 - Bowler Naif Ogab wins the UAE’s first gold medal at the Asian Indoor Games in Macau.
2008 - US Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska is convicted of corruption.
2010 - Ras Al Khaimah Ruler Shaikh Saqr Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi dies after ruling the emirate for more than 60 years.
2013 - Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central is officially inaugurated.
