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Turkish central bank discuss falling lira

The lira has been falling for months due to high inflation and a wide current account deficit, which fuelled worries that the booming Turkish economy has expanded too fast and in an unbalanced way.

A federal judge orders the breakup of Microsoft

In June 2000, the court ordered a breakup of Microsoft as its "remedy". According to that judgment, Microsoft would have to be broken into two separate units, one to produce the operating system, and one to produce other software components.

Priscilla Presley opens Graceland to the public

Graceland was owned by Elvis Presley. It was practically exceptional for fans to take a tour of their favorite celebrity’s home. More than 3,000 guests toured Graceland on opening day. Graceland's success led to a worldwide merchandising and licensing business that keeps Elvis legend strong.

The Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

The Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II marked the 25th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the thrones of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms. It was celebrated with large-scale parties and parades throughout the UK. A further 500 million people around the Commonwealth watched the day's events on live television.

Sony releases its ultimately unsuccessful Betamax

Betamax is a consumer-level analog-recording and cassette format of magnetic tape for video. It was developed by Sony and was released in Japan in May 1975. The first Betamax device introduced in the United States was the LV-1901 console, which included a 19-inch color monitor, and appeared in stores in early November 197.

Japan is beaten in Battle of Midway

The United States has routed the Japanese Navy in a major 3-day battle over a remote US naval and air base at Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean. The victory has dealt a severe blow to Japan's ambitions to advance right across the Pacific towards the US coast.

Vatican became a sovereign state

The Italian parliament ratified them in June 1929. It recognized Vatican City as an independent state, with the Italian government, at the time led by Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, agreeing to give the Roman Catholic Church financial compensation for the loss of the Papal States.

Louis XIV becomes king of France for 72 years

Starting at the age of 4, his reign of 72 years and 110 days is the longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country in European history. In the age of absolutism in Europe, Louis XIV's France was a leader in the growing centralization of power.

Anniversaries of the (in)famous

born 1974

Bear Grylls

born 1959

Mike Pence