1678: Antonio Lucio Vivaldi, composer and violinist, best known for The Four Seasons (1725), was born in Venice.

1824: The Royal National Lifeboat Institution was founded.

1890: The 1,710ft Forth Bridge was officially opened by the Prince of Wales.

1924: Happy Birthday To You was published by Clayton F Summy.

1946: Housewives' Choice, presented by Robert McDermott, began on BBC radio.

1974: After the general election, Edward Heath failed to persuade the Liberals to join a coalition and resigned. Harold Wilson became Prime Minister of a minority administration, which lasted for eight months until fresh elections secured a Labour majority.