As patriots readied for battle and loyalists clung to the British crown, Thomas Paine published “Common Sense,” a fiercely persuasive pamphlet that united Colonists to fight against monarchy in the name of self-rule.

Extensive planning by the IDF had gone into the delicate handover, with military medics and psychologists readied for the first stages of the process at a reception centre designed to ease the hostages' transition.

Ten federal helicopters were already deployed to the area, and dozens of fire engines were being readied to be deployed if needed.

India's 16-member cricket squad - selected months earlier - also had to deal with both personal and national turmoil as they readied themselves for a landmark series.

The New York Times, which quotes both US and Ukrainian unnamed officials, puts the number of Russian and North Korean troops being readied for the reported counter-offensive in Kursk at 50,000.