Action of 22 January 1809 Action of 22 January 1809 The Action of 22 January 1809 was a minor naval engagement fought off the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe during the Napoleonic Wars. The action was fought as part of the blockade of Guadeloupe and neighbouring Martinique by a large British Royal Navy squadron, which was seeking to cut the islands off from contact and supplies from France by preventing the passage of shipping from Europe to the islands. The British blockade was part of their preparation for planned invasions during the next year. The French made numerous efforts to supply their colonies during this period,
Black Thursday (1960 Rome Olympics) Black Thursday (1960 Rome Olympics) Black Thursday was the phrase coined by Oscar Fraley, to describe the failings of the fancied American favourites in their track and field events on Thursday 1 September 1960, at the Rome Olympics. The two most notable failures that day were those of Ray Norton and John Thomas in the 100 metres and high jump respectively. These were Olympic events the Americans considered their own. Ray Norton was considered the world’s best 100 m sprinter in 1959 and had won the United States Olympic Trials. In the end, he trailed in last place in the