In January 1973 abortion was legalised across the USA. Read more
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Roe v Wade
In January 1973 abortion was legalised across the USA.
The Wannsee conference
It is 70 years since senior Nazi officials met to plan the killing of European Jews.
Jackson Pollock
It is one hundred years since the great American abstract painter was born.
Japanese soldier in hiding
In January 1972 a Japanese soldier was found in the jungle of Guam.
The rise of Hitler
On 25 January 1933 the last legal communist march was held in Berlin.
The Challenger disaster
In January 1986 a space shuttle launch went horribly wrong.
The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff
It was the worst maritime disaster in history.
Bloody Sunday
It is 40 years since 13 civil rights marchers were killed in Northern Ireland.
Dickens in America
How a visit to America in 1842 became a turning-point in the career of Charles Dickens.
Diane Blood
Winning the chance to conceive a child using sperm from her dead husband
The Hama massacre
It is 30 years since thousands of Syrians were killed by their own army.
Umm Kulthum
The great Egyptian singer was buried 37 years ago.
Death of King George VI
How Britain mourned the death of King George VI in 1952.
Drugs in Mexico
On 7 February 1985 a US drug enforcement agent was abducted in Guadalajara.
Charonne Metro deaths
It is 50 years since nine French peace protestors died during a demonstration in Paris.
50 years of Silicone Breast Implants
In 1962 Timmie Jean Lindsey became the first woman in the world to have the operation.
Deep Blue versus Kasparov
It was the first time a computer had beaten a reigning world champion chess player.
The Stolen Generation
Debra Hocking was taken from her indigenous Australian family as a baby.
Sister Dorothy Stang
In February 2005 a Catholic nun working in the Amazon was murdered.
The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan
On 15 February 1989, the last Soviet soldiers rolled out of Afghanistan.
The bombing of Darwin
In February 1942 Japan launched the largest ever attack against Australia.
Japanese internment
In February 1942 all Japanese Americans were ordered to internment camps.
Sucked out of a Plane
In February 1989, nine people were sucked out of a plane over the Pacific Ocean.
Nixon in China
It is 40 years since the US President went to China and met Chairman Mao.
Moose Murders
Nearly 30 years ago Moose Murders made history as the biggest flop ever on Broadway.
The Damascus Spring
Twelve years ago Syria experienced a brief burst of political openness.
From the silent screen to talkies
In the late 1920s Hollywood made the change from silent films to movies with soundtracks.
Mary Quant and the miniskirt
A 2012 episode looks back at the work of the pioneering designer, who has died aged 93
The killing of Olof Palme
On 28 February 1986, the Swedish Prime Minister was killed on a Stockholm street.
The assassination of Georgi Markov
The Bulgarian dissident was attacked with a poisoned umbrella on his way to Bush House.
Gujarat riots
It is 10 years since communal violence broke out in the Indian state.