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Saddam Hussein with western hostages on Iraqi TV1990: Outrage at Iraqi TV hostage show

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein appears on state television with western hostages, provoking a storm of outrage.


Boris Yeltsin (left) and Mikhail Gorbachev1991: Gorbachev punishes coup plotters
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev begins his purge of cabinet members and officials involved in the failed coup four days ago.

The abandoned car1961: Couple found shot in A6 lay-by
Police launch a murder hunt after a man is found shot dead and his companion seriously wounded in a lay-by in Bedfordshire.

Hans-Joachim Tiedge1985: West German spy chief defects to East
The head of West German counter-intelligence is unmasked as an East German spy.

Kurdish fighter1979: Kurdish revolt grows in Iran
Kurds in Iran oust government troops from a large area near the Iraqi border.

 Around this Day
20 August
Top Story1989: Marchioness river crash 'kills 30'
21 August
Top Story1968: Russia brings winter to 'Prague Spring'
22 August
Top Story1978: Kenya's founding father dies
24 August
Top Story1993: Michael Jackson accused of child abuse
25 August
Top Story1944: Paris is liberated as Germans surrender
26 August
Top Story1959: US to 'stand by' West Germans
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