On this day - 26 March

On March 26th 2000 Vladimir Putin was elected the president of Russia, winning the majority of the votes in the election. He had been serving as acting president since the start of the year following the resignation of former president Boris Yeltsin. Putin had been serving as prime minister since August 1999 and has been either president or prime minister of Russia since then. Following Stalin, Putin is currently the second longest serving leader of either the Russian or Soviet nation.

Coverage in the Morning Star of the election focuses on the positive media coverage Putin received in the run up to the election as well as the relationship fostered between China and Russia.

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In order to obtain a driving license in the UK, a driving test needs to be passed. The driving test was first introduced on March 26th 1934 following a rise in the amount of injuries and fatalities sustained in traffic collisions. The test was updated in 1996 to add a theory test and again in 2002 to add the hazard perception section.

Want to read more about this event and numerous other events from history? A subscription allows you unlimited access to continue reading and to view pages in greater detail. Log in and look at our online shop for prices.

Check back every day to see a different event from history highlighted.