1906: San Francisco was devastated by a massive earthquake.

1934: The first launderette opened in Texas. It was called a Washateria.

1949: The Republic of Ireland Act came into force as Eire became a republic.

1966: The Sound Of Music won an Oscar after receiving an almost universal panning from the critics.

1968: London Bridge was sold for £1 million to oil tycoon Robert McCullough. He had it rebuilt at Lake Havasu in the United States.