NATIONAL DAYS OF NIGERIA AND CHINA

1843: The News of the World was first published.

1869: The Midland Railway opened St Pancras station in London.

1870: The first British halfpenny postage stamp, in lilac, was issued for the introduction of pre-paid postcards.

1880: The Edison Lamp Works began operations in New Jersey to manufacture the first electric light bulbs.

1890: Master of the monologue Stanley Holloway was born in London.

1908: Henry Ford introduced the model T car at a price of 850 dollars - within 18 years production techniques reduced that to 310 dollars. His slogan was "You can have any colour you want as long as it's black".

1918: Arab forces under Emir Faisal, and including British officer TE Lawrence, captured Damascus from the Turks.

1936: The BBC began regular television broadcasts from Alexandra Palace, north London.

1969: Concorde 001 broke the sound barrier for the first time during a test flight in France.

1974: The first McDonald's opened in London to speed up the fast food revolution.

On this day last year: A couple were found guilty of the manslaughter of their six-year-old stepdaughter Lauren Wright.

BIRTHDAYS: Jimmy Carter, former US President, 78; Richard Harris, actor, 72; Dame Julie Andrews, actress and singer, 67; Scott MacKenzie, singer, 58; Stephen Collins, actor, 55; Randy Quaid, actor, 52; Theresa May, MP, 46; Youssou N'Dour, singer, 43; Harry Hill, comedian, 38; Phil de Glanville, rugby player, 34; Keith Duffy, pop star, 28.