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It's the evening of January 3rd, 1973.

A car approaches the Royal Opera House in London, England.

Inside, British Prime Minister Edward Heath allows himself a smileless satisfaction as he

straightens his bow tie. After a year of tense negotiations, he's on his way to a gala to

celebrate Britain's entry into the European community, or EC, a group of nations that has

abolished tariffs on trade between their countries. Britain's admission to the EC marks a hard

one political victory for the Prime Minister, and he's looking forward to the praise he sure is

about to come his way. As Heath's car pulls up outside the opera house, his door is opened by an

official. Heath steps out and waves at the crowd of onlookers, but the smile slips from his face

when he realizes he's facing a throng of protesters. Heath knows that joining the EC was not supported

by everybody in the UK, but with the deal done, he expected the protests to end. He thin flinches

as an object comes hurling toward him from the crowd, hitting his jacket. The police officer

quickly spring into action and hurry him into the opera house. When he's safely inside,

a disgusting smell drifts to Heath's nostrils. He looks at the wet mark where the object hit him.

The stench is horrendous. Heath realizes he's been stinkbombed. He rushes toward the bathroom

to wash off the smell, but even with the odor gone, the insult of the attack lingers,

spoiling what Heath hoped would be his night of triumph.

Britain's entry into the European community will split public opinion. While many

British will be happy to join the EC, many others would prefer the UK to remain on the sidelines.

...