On this day in history - Today, May, 31

Today in History

• 2013 The widest tornado ever recorded hits El Reno, Oklahoma

  The storm had a width of 4.2 km (2.6 mi). Nine people were killed as it swept over rural areas of Ce

• 2005 Deep Throat reveals himself

  Former FBI agent Mark Felt admitted that he was the most important informant in the 1970's Watergate

• 1961 South Africa becomes an independent republic

  Following international criticism of the country's Apartheid regime, it had to leave the Commonwealt

• 1879 Werner von Siemens presents the world's first electric locomotive

  Von Siemens' landmark invention was soon used in trams. 1881 saw the introduction of the world's fir

• 1859 The Great Clock housing Big Ben starts keeping time

  The clock at the top of Elizabeth Tower at the north end of the British Houses of Parliament is one