Dutch Elm Disease 4th September ( 1968 ) The increase in Dutch Elm Disease in England is continuing and so far no way has been found to protect the trees, the cause has been traced to the bark beetle spreading the disease. Many tens of thousands of trees have been destroyed and the disease is now becoming widespread in parts of the United States including throughout New England.
The National Guard Little Rock 4th September ( 1957 ) The National Guard on the order of Governor Orval Faubus is used to prevent nine African American students from entering Central High School in Little Rock. The action was taken in violation of a federal order to integrate the school.
Queen opens the Forth Road Bridge 4th September ( 1964 ) The Queen has opened the Forth Road Suspension Bridge which spans the Firth of Forth river, connecting Edinburgh to Fife, currently the fourth longest in the world . Tolls for the new bridge will be 2s 6d, the cost of the full project is thought to be £19.5 million. Over the years the tolls increased to 80p or 16s 0d but in February 2008 tolls were abolished and the bridge is now toll free.
World Poverty Report 4th September ( 2000 ) UN Development Programme agency has released it's latest report that shows the gap between the richest and poorest countries in the world is increasing and there were estimated to be 1.2 billion people in absolute poverty ( people living on less than $1.00 per day ) in 1998. UN Development Programme agency has said that debt relief to the worlds poorest countries is essential to help those countries improve the lives of their people ( many of the poorest nations in the world are paying more back to Western aid institutions than they are spending on health and education ).
Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin 4th September ( 2006 ) "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin dies whilst filming in Australia's Great Barrier Reef when a stingray's barb pierced his chest.
