8th February 1950: The Stasi formally established in East Germany as the Ministry for State Security

The Stasi used blackmail, intimidation, and imprisonment, as well as psychological manipulation, to target perceived dissidents. By the time the organisation’s activities ended following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the Stasi was regarded as one of the most effective intelligence agencies of the Cold War era.

15th August 1941: Last execution at the Tower of London takes place when German spy Josef Jakobs is killed by firing squad

Josef Jakobs was found guilty of espionage by General Court Martial and taken to the miniature firing range at the Tower of London where he was strapped to a wooden Windsor chair and killed by firing squad at 7:12am.

10th February 1962: Captured U-2 spy plane pilot Gary Powers freed in a prisoner exchange

Powers had been sentenced to 10 years’ confinement in the USSR but, amidst concerns that he might reveal any remaining secrets to the Soviet authorities, the U.S. government agreed to exchange Powers and imprisoned student Frederic Pryor in return for Soviet Colonel Rudolf Abel.