1775: British Parliament declares Massachusetts Colony in rebellion
Benin mask carved of ivory thought to represent 16th century Edo queen IdiaThe Benin Pendant Mask

1897: Invasion of Benin City by British Expeditionary Force; the city is burned and looted, ending the Nigerian Kingdom of Benin formed in the 11th century

1904: Japanese torpedo boats launch a surprise attack on Russian ships at the Port Arthur naval base in Manchuria, beginning the Russo-Japanese War. Japanese troops also land at Chemulpo (Incheon), near Seoul, Korea; in three weeks, they advance to the Yalu River, the border of Manchuria.

1943: Japanese troops evacuate Guadalcanal, ending the epic World War II battle on the Solomon Islands in the Pacific

1972: British government declares a state of emergency after a month-long coal miners’ strike

Source: Onthisday.com