1709: Samuel Johnson, poet and lexicographer, was born in Lichfield, Staffs, the son of a bookseller.

His dictionary, which took him eight years to compile, contained some eccentric explanations, such as "Oats: a grain which in England is generally given to horses but in Scotland supports the people."

1810: Chile revolted and gained independence from Spain.

1851: The New York Times was first published.

1905: Greta Garbo, the Swedish shopgirl who became one of the most legendary film stars of all time, was born.

1948: Some 7,000 tons of food supplies and petrol were airlifted into Berlin by British and American aircraft, defying a three-month Russian blockade.

1949: The British pound was devalued by 30% by Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Stafford Cripps, from 4.03 dollars to 2.80 dollars. On the same day, the milk ration was reduced to two pints a week per person.

1951: The Al Read show started on BBC radio, with Jimmy Edwards and Pat Kirkwood. Read originated the catchphrases "Right monkey" and

You'll be lucky!"

1961: UN secretary-general Dag Hammarskjold was killed when his plane was sabotaged and crashed in the jungle in Northern Rhodesia.

1970: Rock star Jimi Hendrix died in an ambulance on the way to hospital, apparently suffering from a drug overdose.

1981: France abolished the guillotine.

On this day last year: The Bank of England made a dramatic move to buoy up confidence and stave of\f a recession following last week's tragic events - by cutting interest rates by 0.25 per cent to 4.75 per cent.

BIRTHDAYS:

John Spencer, snooker commentator, 67; Nicholas Clay, actor, 56; Mo Mowlam, former Cabinet Office Minister, 53; Peter Shilton, goalkeeper/football manager, 53; John Aldridge, football manager, 44; James Gandolfini, actor, 41; John Fashanu, TV presenter and former footballer, 39; Darren Gough, cricketer, 32. Jada Pinkett, actress, 31; James Marsden, actor, 29; Sol Campbell, footballer, 28.