1844

The Dominican Republic gains its independence from Haiti.

1900

The British Labour Party is founded with Ramsay MacDonald as its secretary.

1932

The Central Committee of the Communist International sends a letter to the Communist parties of France, China and India, asking them to help and co-operate with the revolutionary movements in Indochina.

1932

Elizabeth Taylor, film actress, is born in London. She made her screen debut in 1942 at the age of 10 in There's One Born Every Minute.

1973

An international conference on Viet Nam is held in Paris. Participating in this conference are representatives of the four signatories to the Paris Agreement on Viet Nam – the Government of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, the Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Viet Nam, the Sai Gon administration and the US Government – as well as countries in many regions of the world.

1998

US Vice President Al Gore announces that the United States is lifting a 35-year-old arms embargo against South Africa.

1999

Nigeria elects Gen Olusegun Obasanjo in the first presidential elections after fifteen years of military rule, but the results are disputed.

2008

Masked thieves drill a tunnel into the Damiani showroom in Milan, Italy, making off with gold, diamonds and rubies worth an estimated US$20 million. Nine men are arrested in December in connection with the robbery. — AP/REUTERS/VNS