On this day in history http://www.bbc.co.uk/history Important dates on this day in history en-us Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:11:26 GMT Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:11:26 GMT history@bbc.co.uk history@bbc.co.uk 1937: The Japanese army commits the 'rape of Nanjing', one of the worst atrocities its invasion of China. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/japan_quest_empire_01.shtml Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:11:26 GMT 1939: The Royal Navy attacks the German battleship 'Graf Spee' in the first major naval battle of the war. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/battle_atlantic_01.shtml Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:11:26 GMT 2003: Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is captured by US forces near Tikrit in Iraq. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/recent/iraq/iraq_after_the_war_01.shtml Tue, 13 Dec 2011 11:11:26 GMT