Events (1050 years ago today): 971 – Using crossbows, Song dynasty troops soundly defeat a war elephant corps of the Southern Han at Shao.

Events (450 years ago today): 1571 – The Royal Exchange opens in London.

Births (50 years ago today): 1971 – Scott Gibbs, Welsh-South African rugby player and sportscaster

Deaths (100 years ago today): 1921 – Mykola Leontovych, Ukrainian composer and conductor (b. 1877)

Deaths (50 years ago today): 1971 – Fritz Feigl, Austrian-Brazilian chemist and academic (b. 1871)