1556 An earthquake in Shensi Province, China, killed 830,000 people.

1806 William Pitt the Younger, twice British Prime Minister, died aged 47.

1900 The Battle of Spion Kop was fought during the Boer War.

1931 Anna Pavlova, Russian prima ballerina, famous as the Dying Swan, died aged 49 at her home in Hampstead Heath.

1943 The British captured Tripoli from the Germans.

1956 Sir Alexander Korda, Hungarian-born British film producer and director, died.

1963 Kim Philby, double agent, defected to Russia.

1976 Paul Robeson, US actor/singer, died, neglected and almost alone in Harlem, aged 77.

1985 A House of Lords debate was televised live for the first time.

1990 Gales of up to 115mph caused great damage and at least four deaths in Britain.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: American group Tupperware announced it was to cut nearly 1,700 jobs as it closed its UK party sales business.