1917- Finland gains independence from Russia after the Bolshevik Revolution.
1956 – The South African forces arrest Nelson Mandela and 156 of his colleagues due to their political anti-apartheid activities.
1971- Pakistan severs diplomatic relations with India after New Delhi recognizes the state of Bangladesh.
1980 – First military medical academy in the Middle East opened in Cairo.
2005 – Iranian c-130 aircraft crashes over Tehran and 94 people killed.
1898- Swedish Nobel laureate economist Karl Gunnar Myrdal was born.
Constitution Day in Spain.
R. al-Jazaeri / Ghossoun