1421: Henry VI, who inherited the throne at the age of nine months, was born at Windsor.

1774: Austria introduced the first state education system.

1793: Madame du Barry, mistress of Louis XV of France, died on the guillotine after being found guilty by the Revolutionary Tribunal of wasting the treasures of the state.

1877: Thomas Alva Edison recited Mary Had A Little Lamb into his phonograph - and made the world's first recording of the human voice.

1888: Will Hay, British music hall and film comedy actor, was born in Stockton-on-Tees.

1897: The world's first motor cab fleet began operations in London. It went out of business in 1900 - its battery-powered taxis moved at only 8mph.

1921: Irish independence was granted for the 26 southern states which became known as the Irish Free State. Six counties which formed Ulster (Northern Ireland) remained as part of the UK.

1963: Christine Keeler, pictured, model involved in the Profumo scandal, was jailed for nine months for perjury.

1969: A free concert given by the Rolling Stones at Altamont, California, ended in tragedy when Hell's Angels stabbed a man to death.

1990: Durham were admitted to first-class cricket, the first new county side for 90 years.

NATIONAL DAY OF FINLAND

Feast of St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors, children, pawnbrokers, merchants and perfumiers.

On this day last year: Thousands of patients who wait more than six months for life-saving heart surgery will be offered the choice of treatment at an NHS hospital in the private sector or even abroad, the Government announced.

BIRTHDAYS: Dave Brubeck, jazz pianist and composer, 82; Lord (Jack) Ashley, ex-MP and campaigner for the disabled, 80; JoBeth Williams, actress, 54; Peter Willey, cricket umpire, 53; Gerry Francis, football manager, 51; Helen Liddell, Scottish Secretary, 51; Geoff Hoon, Defence Secretary, 49; Peter Buck, rock guitarist (REM), 46; Ben Watt, pop musician (Everything But The Girl), 40; Gordon Durie, footballer, 37.