On this day: Royal Society of Edinburgh| First batch of Coca-Cola

Events, birthdays and anniversaries for 29 March

29 march

1783: The Royal Society of Edinburgh incorporated by charter.

1792: Sweden’s King Gustavus III was assassinated.

1849: Britain annexed Punjab in India by treaty with Maharajah of Lahore.

1864: Ionian Islands were ceded by Britain to Greece.

1871: The Royal Albert Hall, London, built in memory of Prince Albert, was opened by Queen Victoria. One of the prince’s own compositions was played at the opening.

1886: The first batch of Coca-Cola was brewed over a wood fire by graduate chemist John S Pemberton.

1903: Regular news service between London and New York began using Marconi’s wireless.

1928: The House of Commons overwhelmingly passed the Equal Franchise Bill, giving the vote to all women aged 21 or over.

1939: The Spanish Civil War was declared to have ended. Franco was named leader of the nation.

1940: Metal strips were introduced into Bank of England £1 notes as an anti-forgery device.

1967: France launched its first nuclear submarine.

1973: Last American troops left South Vietnam, ending direct military role of United States in Vietnam war.

1981: The first London Marathon was run. It was won by American Dick Beardsley and Norwegian Inge Simonsen.

1986: World’s first test-tube quins were born in London.