August 29th, 2008

Today in History

1996:
A Vnukovo Airlines Tupolev Tu-154 crashes into a mountain on the Arctic island of Spitsbergen, killing all 141 aboard.

1991:
Supreme Soviet suspends all activities of the Soviet Communist Party.

1966:
Execution of Sayyid Qutb, a leading theoretician of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.

1871:
Emperor Meiji orders the abolition of the han system and the establishment of prefectures as local centers of administration. (Traditional Japanese date: July 14, 1871).

1842:
The Tokugawa shogunate orders the local daimy? to begin providing foreign ships with fresh water and supplies when requested. (Traditional Japanese date: July 24, 1842).