This day in history

In an event described as both the most heroic and/or disastrous episodes in British military history, Lord James Cardigan leads a charge of the Light Brigade cavalry against well defended Russian artillery during the Crimean War.

The British were winning the Battle of Balaclava when Cardigan received his order to attack the Russians. His cavalry gallantly charged down the valley and were decimated by the heavy Russian guns, suffering 40 per cent casualties. It was later revealed that the order was the result of confusion and was not given intentionally. Lord Cardigan, who survived the battle, was hailed as a national hero in Britain.

The European Economic Community donates £1.8 million to Ethiopia to try and help fight the famine in the country.  

George III becomes King of Britain.

The Hundred Years War: The English Army, under King Henry V, defeats a vastly superior French Army at the Battle of Agincourt.

Denis Sassou-Nguesso proclaims himself the President of the Republic of the Congo.

Following a coup in Grenada, U.S. marines invade the country to try and overthrow the new left-leaning regime.