The Mini is a small car that was produced by the British Motor
Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 to 2000. The most
popular British-made car of all time, it has since been replaced by
the New MINI which was launched in 2001. The original is considered an
icon of the 1960s, and its space-saving front-wheel-drive layout
influenced a generation of car-makers. In an internet poll for "Global
Car of the Century" the Mini came second after the Model T Ford. This
revolutionary and distinctive two-door car was designed for BMC by Sir
Alec Issigonis (1906–88). It was manufactured at the Longbridge and
Cowley plants in the United Kingdom, and later in Australia, Belgium,
Chile, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
The Mini Mk I had three major updates: The Mk II, the Clubman, and the
Mk III, within which were a series of variations including an estate
car, a pickup truck, a van, and the Mini Moke - a jeep-like buggy.
The Mini Cooper and Cooper "S" were sportier versions that were
successful as rally cars - winning the Monte Carlo Rally three
times.
Read the rest of this article:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1770:
James Cook and the crew of HM Bark Endeavour made their first landfall
on Australia.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HM_Bark_Endeavour)
1862:
Union forces under David Farragut captured New Orleans, securing
access into the Mississippi River during the American Civil War.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Farragut)
1882:
Ernst Werner von Siemens began operating his "Elektromote", the
world's first trolleybus.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/trolleybus)
1945:
Adolf Hitler dictated his last will and testament to his secretary in
the Führerbunker, and then married Eva Braun in a brief ceremony.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_will_and_testament_of_Adolf_Hitler)
1992:
The acquittal of policemen who had beaten Rodney King sparked civil
unrest in Los Angeles.
(
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Los_Angeles_riots)
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Wikiquote of the day:
"Despite the best that has been done by everyone - the gallant
fighting of the military and naval forces, the diligence and assiduity
of Our servants of the State, and the devoted service of Our one
hundred million people - the war situation has developed not
necessarily to Japan's advantage, while the general trends of the
world have all turned against her interest." -- Hirohito
(
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Hirohito)