1998 - The Bangabandhu multi-purpose bridge over the Jamuna opened ushering in a new chapter in the country’s communications. Prime Minister Shaikh Hasina, who unveiled the plaque and formally opened the billion dollar bridge to traffic, also became the first person to cross it and pay the fixed toll. The inauguration of the largest bridge in south Asia sees the fulfilment of a nation’s dream as it links the northern parts to the rest of the country. The 4.8 km long, 18.5 metre-wide bridge is the 11th largest in the world. With the opening of the bridge it will take between six and eight hours to cross the mighty river from Dhaka to the country’s northern districts.
Other important events
1934 - Saudi Arabia and Yemen sign peace treaty after seven-week border war.
1956 - Colonel Jamal Abdul Nasser is elected president of Egypt.
1961 - Antarctic Treaty goes into effect.
1979 - West Indies beat England by 92 runs in the final to retain the Prudential cricket World Cup at Lord’s, London.
1980 - Sanjay Gandhi, son of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, dies in a plane crash.
1985 - Air India Flight 182, named Kanishka, crashes into the North Atlantic off Ireland killing all 329 on board.
1994 - South Africa reclaims its seat at the United Nations.
1996 - Michael Johnson breaks the 200-metre world record in 19.66 seconds.
2008 - Algeria names a new prime minister, Ahmad Ouyahia, to replace Abdul Aziz Belkhadem.
2010 - 12 people are killed when a passenger train slams into a group of young revellers crossing a railway track in Spain.
2013 - Nik Wallenda becomes the first person to high-wire walk across the Grand Canyon.
