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.