At the age of 80

• 31-July-2006 : Cuban president Fidel Castro temporarily relinquishes power to his brother Raul before surgery. >
• 11-October-1962 : Second Vatican Council: Pope John XXIII convenes the first ecumenical council of the Roman Catholic Church in 92 years.
• 03-January-1962 : Pope John XXIII excommunicates Fidel Castro.
• 15-November-1949 : Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte are executed for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi.
• 06-December-1947 : Arturo Toscanini conducts a concert performance of the first half of Giuseppe Verdi's ''Otello'', based on Shakespeare's ''Othello'', on NBC Radio. The second half is broadcast a week later. Starring are Ramon Vinay, Giuseppe Valdengo, and Herva Nelli. The complete performance (both parts) is eventually released on LP and CD. Many believe this is one of the very finest opera performances led by Toscanini. It is for some the definitive ''Otello''.
• 25-May-1911 : Mexican Revolution: Porfirio Diaz signs his resignation and leaves for Veracruz; on May 31 he leaves for exile in France.
• 17-May-1911 : Mexican Revolution: Porfirio Diaz is convinced to resign but does not do so officially.
• 27-April-1911 : Following the resignation and death of William P. Frye, a compromise is reached to rotate the office of President pro tempore of the United States Senateate
• 20-November-1910 : Mexican Revolution: Francisco I. Madero proclaims the elections of 1910 null and void, and calls for an armed revolution at 6 p.m. against the illegitimate presidency/dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz.
• 08-March-1900 : Londoners celebrate as Queen Victoria makes a rare visit to the city.