In 2010 an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Chile (their biggest in 50 years) with most of the country affected. In total 600 people died and more than 2 million people were left homeless. Several pacific countries were also hit by a tsunami that was created by the quake with coastal residents of Hawaii, New Zealand and Tahiti warned to get to higher ground. Luckily Hawaii was only hit with a one meter high wave and French Polynesia experienced waves of only 1.8 meters and neither country reported damage.
In 2008 England experienced a magnitude 5.2 earthquake, the largest in 25 years. The tremors were felt in Newcastle, Yorkshire, London, Cumbria, the Midlands, Norfolk and parts of Wales. The epicentre was in Lincolnshire. There were no deaths and only one serious injury reported.
In 1999 Nigerians flock on mass to polling stations with the chance to vote for their first civilian government in 15 years. Queues formed with eager voters celebrating with songs and wine. 40 million people were believed to have voted and the winner was Olusegun Obasanjo who became Nigeria’s new President. Obasanjo released political prisoners and set up investigations into human rights abuses committed while under military rule. He improved life for the poor and attempted to stop corruption in the government which made him very popular with the people. Although accused of misappropriation of funds he was elected President for a second term in 2004.
In 1997 all hand guns except .22 calibre were banned in the United Kingdom following the Dunblane Massacre. On the 13th of March 1996, 43-year-old Thomas Hamilton shot 16 children and one adult before committing suicide. Hamilton entered Dunblane primary school and murdered the children, causing public outcry for the ownership of handguns to be made illegal. On this day the ‘Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997’ was given Royal Assent making it law in the United Kingdom. One year later a new government went further with the ‘Firearms (Amendment) (No.2) Act 1997’ which banned the ownership of all handguns in the United Kingdom.
In 1951 the 22nd Amendment to the United States constitution was ratified which stated that “No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice” meaning that a person can only be US president for a maximum of 10 years.
