May 11 1988 Soviet double agent Kim Philby dies


On May 11th 1988, Kim Philby, a former British Secret Intelligence Service officer and double agent for the Soviet Union, died in Moscow at the age of 76. Philby was perhaps the most famous of a group of British government officials who served as Russian spies from the 1930s to the 1950s. Philby came from … Continue reading May 11 1988 Soviet double agent Kim Philby dies

May 10 1990 China releases Tiananmen Square prisoners


On May 10th 1990, the government of the People's Republic of China announced that it was releasing 211 people arrested during the massive protests held in Tiananmen Square in Beijing in June 1989. Most observers viewed the prisoner release as an attempt by the communist government of China to dispel much of the terrible publicity … Continue reading May 10 1990 China releases Tiananmen Square prisoners

U.S. plans 10-month warship deployment to Singapore


May 9 1671 Captain Blood steals crown jewels


On May 9th 1671, in London, Thomas Blood, an Irish adventurer better known as "Captain Blood," was captured attempting to steal the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. Blood, a Parliamentarian during the English Civil War, was deprived of his estate in Ireland with the restoration of the English monarchy in 1660. In 1663, … Continue reading May 9 1671 Captain Blood steals crown jewels