ST JOSEPH'S DAY - Patron Saint of fathers, carpenters, procurators and bursars.

721 BC The first recorded eclipse was observed by the Babylonians, according to the Greek astronomer Ptolemy.

1813 Dr David Livingstone, missionary and explorer (the first European to see the Victoria Falls on the Zambesi), was born in Blantyre, Lanarkshire.

1834 The six 'Tolpuddle Martyrs', who fought the decline of agricultural wages, were sentenced to seven years' transportation to Tasmania. Public outcry had them released after two years.

1872 Serge Diaghilev, "father of modern ballet", was born in Novgorod.

1882 The City Temple, Holborn, became the first church to be lit by electricity.

1920 The US Senate voted against joining the League of Nations, fearingthey would have to go to war again if another member state was invaded.

1932 Sydney Harbour bridge was opened. It was the world's longest single-span arch bridge.

1976 Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon announced their separation after 15 years of marriage.

1986 Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Prince Andrew andSarah Ferguson. Her engagement ring was a ruby surrounded by 10 diamonds.

1988 Two British soldiers who blundered into an IRA cortege in West Belfast were killed by a lynch mob.

1992 Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duchess of York was seeking a divorce from Prince Andrew, exactly six years after announcing their engagement.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Robbers stole millions of pounds after hijacking a security van at Heathrow Airport. The cash - thought to be at least three million US dollars - had arrived at the airport on an early morning South African Airways flight.

BIRTHDAYS: Patrick McGoohan, actor, 75; Ornette Coleman, jazz saxophonist, 73; Philip Roth, novelist, 70; Ursula Andress, actress, 67; Glenn Close, actress, 56; Bruce Willis, actor, 48; Terry Hall, rock singer, 44; Warren Barton, footballer, 34; Kelly Holmes, athlete, 33.