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or you can get all of History Daily plus other fantastic history podcasts at IntoHistory.com. It's the evening of January 3, 1973.

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

Inside, British Prime Minister Edward Heath allows himself a smile of 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-won 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.

Heath then flinches as an object comes hurling toward him from the crowd, hitting his jacket.

The police officers 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 stink-bombed.

He rushes toward the bathroom to wash off the smell.

But even with the odor gone, the insult of the attack lingers,

...