On November 27

On this day in ...

... 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle announced that he would veto Britain's application to become a member of the European Economic Community. It was the 2d time that de Gaulle had said "Non," even though the other 5 members, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Italy and Germany, were willing to begin negotiations to admit Britain. Britain would not be accepted until 1969, after de Gaulle had fallen from power.

... 1992, in Caracas, "[d]isgruntled air force units, allied with civilian leftists," attempted a military coup against the President of Venezuela (flag at right). The attempt failed. But the President was removed on account of corruption charges several months later, and eventually a leader of the 1992 unrest, Hugo Chávez, would gain power in the country.

On June 6

On this day in ...
... 1944, Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy in northern France. The amphibious invasion marked the start of the Allies' successful effort to liberate countries in continental Europe from Nazi occupation. The diary entries of Marie-Louise Osmont, a Frenchwoman who witnessed the landing, are here.
... 1975, in the United Kingdom's 1st-ever nationwide referendum, 67% of Britons voted in favor of remaining in the European Economic Community (flag below left). The country had joined that Common Market, forerunner to the European Union, 2 years earlier; by the time of the referendum, several Cabinet ministers were calling for withdrawal.