The part of English law that is derived from custom and judicial precedent rather than statutes; or when referring to a marriage, one unrecognised by the church or civil authorities.
Common law
Fact of the Day
The US manufactured so many Purple Hearts for the planned invasion of Japan that there is still a reserve of over 100,000 today.
Quote of the Day
"We are fighting Germany, Austria, and drink, and so far as I can see the greatest of these deadly foes is drink.
"
~ David Lloyd George
On This Day
1554 Thomas Wyatt the Younger was executed for leading the Wyatt Rebellion against Mary I's marriage to Philip of Spain.
1689 William III and Mary II were crowned as joint sovereigns of England.
1814 The Treaty of Fontainebleau was signed. It forced Napoleon to abdicate and exiled him to the island of Elba.
1890 Joseph Merrick, more commonly known as the Elephant Man, died aged 27. No-one knows what caused his condition, but it's thought that he died of asphyxiation or a dislocated neck when he attempted to sleep lying down.
1945 American soldiers liberated Buchenwald Nazi concentration camp.
1961 Adolf Eichmann's trial started in Israel. He was charged with 15 crimes, including crimes against humanity and war crimes.
1970 Apollo 13 launched on its mission to the moon, but an explosion caused the mission to be abandoned.
