A futile British light cavalry action against well-armed and well-prepared Russian forces during the Battle of Balaclava in the Crimean War, resulting in massive losses to the British.
Charge of the Light Brigade
Fact of the Day
Accounts from 1350 reveal that it cost 6d a day to keep a lion in the menagerie at the Tower of London, but to keep a prisoner cost only 1d.
Quote of the Day
"There is only one way to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
"
~ Aristotle
On This Day
1868 William Gladstone became prime minister for the first time
1926 Novelist Agatha Christie mysteriously disappeared. She was found 11 days later using a pseudonym at a Harrogate hotel.
1944 The Greek government, backed by the British, fired on a left-wing rally, killing 28. The ensuing battle lasted 33 days.
1973 US probe Pioneer 10 sent back the first close-up images of Jupiter.
1976 Reggae superstar Bob Marley was shot twice during an assassination attempt at his home.
1984 More than 3,800 people were killed after a cloud of poisonous gas escaped from a pesticide plant in Bhopal, India.
1992 Two IRA bombs exploded in Manchester. No-one was killed but much of the city centre had to be rebuilt.