1492: Christopher Columbus discovered Santo Domingo island.

1697: The first Sunday service was held in the new St Paul's Cathedral.

1766: James Christie, founder of the famous auctioneers, held his first sale in London.

1791: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Austrian composer, died from typhus and was buried in an unmarked grave with several other paupers.

1872: The American brig Mary Celeste was found drifting in the Atlantic, her crew missing.

1901: Walt Disney, cartoon film producer, was born in Chicago.

1933: Prohibition ended in America after 14 years.

1945: Five US Navy bombers from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, disappeared over the area which became known as the Bermuda Triangle.

1956: Rose Heilbron became Britain's first female judge.

1958: The Preston by-pass, Britain's first section of motorway (the M6 - 8 1/2 miles long) was officially opened by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan (pictured).

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: The Bonn agreement on Afghanistan was hailed as a "significant achievement" and a victory for the coalition against terrorism by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.

BIRTHDAYS: Little Richard, rock'n'roll star, 70; Jeremy Sandford, author, 68; Sheridan Morley, author/broadcaster, 61; Jose Carreras, tenor, 56; Morgan Brittany, actress, 51; Lee Chapman, former footballer/wine bar owner, 43; Carlton Palmer, footballer, 37.