BBC ON THIS DAY

US Embassy in Tehran shortly after occupation

1980: Tehran hostage rescue mission fails

A top-secret attempt by the United States to free American hostages held in Iran collapses in failure, with the death of eight soldiers.

1974: Rebels seize control of Portugal
Army rebels are in control of Portugal after an almost bloodless dawn coup.

1982: Marines land in South Georgia
Britain re-establishes its presence in the Falkland Islands after a two-hour assault by Royal Marines on the remote island of South Georgia.

1983: 'Hitler diaries' published
The German magazine, Stern, publishes the first instalment of the controversial "Hitler Diaries", said to be written by the F�hrer himself.

2002: Brothers cleared of Damilola murder
Two teenage brothers are cleared of the murder of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor.

1953: Scientists describe 'secret of life'
Two Cambridge University scientists make public their answer to one of the most fundamental questions of biology - how do living things reproduce themselves?

Around this Day

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Top Story1979: Teacher dies in Southall race riots

24 April

Top Story1993: IRA bomb devastates City of London

26 April

Top Story1962: First US rocket lands on Moon

27 April

Top Story1945: Russians and Americans link at Elbe

28 April