The republic of Ecuador adopted its new flag on this date at the order of Gabriel Garcia Moreno, new Supreme Chief of Government after the recent civil war.  Until that time the flag had been mostly white with seven stars representing Ecuador's provinces and the change reflected the republic's historical antecedents as a part of "Gran Colombia" following independence from Spain.  This design remains the national flag today. (By John Osborne)

Cambodian Kilng Ang Duong had come to the throne in April 1848 at the behest of Thailand and Vietnam which dominated much of his territory.  Over his twelve years he sought to assert some kind of independence from his neighbors and had contacted Napoleon III to suggest a French protectorate over his realm to help achieve this.  A poet and a patron of Buddhist revival in Cambodia, he was succeeded by his son Norodom I.  (By John Osborne)

Sir William Armstrong's 18-pounder breech-loading rifled cannon became the first weapon of its type used in action during the initial British operations against the Taku Forts in China.  They were used initially to great effect in the bombardment of Sinho and served throughout the following campaign.  They were still not perfected, though, and the British returned to muzzle-loaded rifled cannon until the end of the 1860s.  (By John Osborne)