Today is the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar, in which Admiral Lord Nelson led a British fleet to victory over a combined French and Spanish fleet off the coast of Spain. Nelson died during the battle, but lived long enough to learn of their victory. There are commemorations taking place today in Britain.
For more information, see
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/uk/2005/trafalgar_200/default.stm