1971 Event After 1,200 years Britain abandons 12-shilling system for decimal 1962 Event U.S. abandons Skybolt balastic missile program 1931 Event Britain abandons gold standard/pound devalues 20% 1863 Event Longstreet abandons his siege at Knoxville, TN 1824 Event Russia abandons all North American claims south of 54 degrees 40' N
