1840: The Maori peoples sign the Treaty of Waitangi accepting Queen Victoria's sovereignty in their lands (New Zealand).

1901: Boer forces mounted a night attack on British positions at Bothwell Camp. When a sentry fell wounded, Sergeant Traynor left the safety of his trench to rescue the casualty. Carrying him back, Traynor was himself hit. A lance corporal came to his aid, and between them they managed to get the man to safety. Despite the severity of his wound, Traynor then insisted on remaining at his post until the Boer attackers had been driven off. He was awarded the Victoria Cross.

1922: World powers sign the Washington Naval Treaty providing for limitation of naval armament

1933: Squadron Leader Gayford and Flight Lieutenant Nicholetts took off from RAF Cranwell in the specially constructed Fairey Long Range Monoplane Mk II in an attempt to set a new world record for non-stop flight.

Two days later, they touched down at Walvis Bay in South Africa, having covered some 5,309 miles.

1941: As the Italian Tenth Army struggled to break through the British armour blocking its retreat at Beda Fomm, the Australian 6th Division took the key port of Benghazi.