1792: Sir John Herschel, astronomer who first mapped the stars of the southern hemisphere, was born in Slough.
1802: Sculptor and animals painter Sir Edward Landseer was born in London. He designed the bronze lions at the base of Nelsons Column in Trafalgar Square.
1876: Alexander Graham Bell patented the first telephone.
1917: The Dixie Jazz Band One-Step - the first jazz record - was released.
1941: British troops invaded Italian-held Ethiopia.
1946: British doctors mounted a campaign to fight the introduction of a National Health Service.
1971: Swiss men voted in favour of giving women the vote and allowing them to hold office.
1975: The body of kidnapped heiress Lesley Whittle was found in a 60ft drain shaft. She had been held for 52 days then strangled by Donald Nielson, The Black Panther, who was later given four life sentences.
1989: Chinese troops fired on Tibetan monks and civilians demanding independence in Lhasa. Some reports said hundreds died.
LAST YEAR: Conservative leader Michael Howard said a Tory government would cut taxes if his party won the next election.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article