1608: John Milton, English poet who wrote Paradise Lost and Samson Agonistes, was born in London.

1783: The first executions took place at Newgate Prison.

1868: William Ewart Gladstone became Prime Minister for the first of his four terms of office.

1884: Roller skates were patented by a Mr L Richardson of Chicago.

1886: Clarence Birdseye, American pioneer of frozen food company, was born.

1917: Jerusalem, held by the Turks, surrendered to General Allenby.

1960: The first episode of Coronation Street was televised - although it was not networked until spring 1961. It was originally called Florizel Street.

1978: Pioneer Venus 2 reached planet Venus and separated into five probes which measured the atmosphere as they landed on the surface.

1990: Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was elected president of Poland.

1991: As the scandal surrounding Robert Maxwell's financial empire grew, it was revealed that £420 million was missing from pension funds he controlled.

NATIONAL DAY OF TANZANIA

On this day last year: The Government was accused of "bullying" after going on the offensive against opposition peers who have inflicted a series of defeats on its anti-terrorism legislation.

BIRTHDAYS: Kirk Douglas, actor, 86; Robert Hawke, Australian politician, 73; Donald Byrd, jazz trumpeter, 71; Dame Judi Dench, actress, 68; Joan Armatrading, singer, 52; John Malkovich, actor, 49; Donny Osmond, pop star, 45.