On This Day for 6/29 - London's Globe Theatre is destroyed by a fire, Bernie Madoff is sentenced to up to 150 years in prison, and more

Don't miss an issue of On This Day! Simply add [customerservice@eb.com]( to your address book. On This Day June 29 Discover the Fastest Route to Britannica - [EB.com]( Biography of the Day [Chadrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga]( [Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga]( Born on this day in 1945 was [Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga]( a member of a prominent [Sri Lankan]( political family who became prime minister and then president in 1994—the first woman to serve as the country's president. Who else was born today? Find out with the newest version of [our best-selling software! >>]( On This Day [Globe Theatre, copperplate engraving.]( 1613: London's Globe Theatre destroyed by fire During a performance of [William Shakespeare]( [Henry VIII]( on this day in 1613, the [Globe Theatre]( was destroyed within an hour after its thatch was accidentally set aflame by a cannon marking the king's entrance onstage. Explore more key moments in history for just $39.95 [Learn more >>]( [Sign up now]( for our monthly newsletter, showcasing articles hand-picked by our editors! More Events On This Day 2009: [Bernie Madoff]( hedge-fund investment manager [Bernie Madoff]( received a sentence of up to 150 years in prison for operating the largest [Ponzi scheme]( in history. 2003: [Katharine Hepburn]( actress [Katharine Hepburn]( spirited performer with a touch of eccentricity who introduced into her roles a strength of character previously considered to be undesirable in Hollywood leading ladies—died in Connecticut. 1941: [Stokely Carmichael]( Carmichael]( a [civil rights]( activist and a leader of [black nationalism]( in the United States in the 1960s, was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. 1913: [Balkan Wars map.]( a year of war with the [Ottoman Empire]( members of the victorious [Balkan League]( quarreled over the division of the conquered territories, resulting in the [Second Balkan War]( when Bulgaria attacked Greek and Serbian forces in Macedonia on this night. 1861: [Elizabeth Barrett Browning, detail of an oil painting by Michele Gordigiani, 1858; in the National …]( poet [Elizabeth Barrett Browning]( famous for her Sonnets from the Portuguese, died at age 55 from a severe chill. 1767: [political cartoon, Boston, 1767]( [Townshend Revenue Act]( an import tax on tea and other goods, was imposed on the American colonists by British Chancellor [Charles Townshend]( bringing the Americans one step closer to revolution. 1534: French mariner [Jacques Cartier]( discovered [Prince Edward Island]( off the coast of what is now Canada. A Great Gift Idea from The Britannica Store [1768 Encyclopaedia Britannica Replica Set]( The handsome three-volume reproduction is so beautifully executed that it's almost indistinguishable from the 1768 original, right down to the natural age spots and watermarks on the pages. A must-have for collectors of history or vintage books, the set lends an unmistakable air of prestige to any home or office. [Get yours today]( Our Best-Selling Software! the world's most trusted and authoritative information for [only $39.95](. Britannica on Facebook a fan]( on Facebook and get updated Britannica content in your news feed! Britannica on Twitter @Britannica]( and enjoy daily tweets relating to the news stories of the day! [Home]( [Advocacy for Animals]( [Newsletters]( [Feedback]( [Help]( Please note that if you do not open or click on any On This Day email during any consecutive 30-day period, we reserve the right to remove your address from the active mailing list. This policy does not apply to RSS feeds. Share: Was this message forwarded to you? [Click here]( and we'll start sending you the On This Day newsletters. This message has been sent to {EMAIL}. To unsubscribe [click here](. To unsubscribe by postal mail, send your request to: Encyclopaedia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle St. - Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60654 US ATTN: Customer Service - On This Day © 2017 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. [Privacy Policy]( — [Help](