1930: Pluto discovered
American astronomer Clyde W. Tombaugh discovers Pluto, generally the most distant planet from the sun. The existence of an unknown ninth planet was first proposed by Percival Lowell, who theorised that it was responsible for the wobbles in Uranus' and Neptune's orbits. In 1930, using Powell's calculations as a guide, Tombaugh discovered the tiny planet. With a surface temperature below -200 Celsius, Pluto was appropriately given the Roman name for the god of the underworld.
Nearly 4 million miles from the sun, it takes approximately 248 years to complete one orbit. It also has the most elliptical orbit of any planet, and at its closest point to the sun passes inside the orbit of Neptune, the eighth planet. In 1978, Pluto's moon, Charon, was discovered.
2005
Fox hunting with dogs becomes illegal in England and Wales.
1996
A London bus is destroyed by a bomb planted by the IRA.
1981
Writer Gerd Heidemann meets in secret with the directors of German publishing conglomerate Gruner + Jahr, to sell them what Heidemann claims are Adolph Hitler's diaries. The dairies are later proved to be fakes and Hediemann is sentenced to four years in jail.
1981
Margaret Thatcher finally gives in to the miners and withdraws her plans to close twenty three pits.
1969
Pop stars Lulu and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees marry in England.
1965
Gambia gains independence from Britain.
1954
Robert Stevens, Secretary of the US army, orders two generals subpoenaed by anti-Communist senator Joseph McCarthy, to ignore the summons.
1943
Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels delivers his famous Sportpalast (total war) speech.
1930
In America, Elm Farm Ollie becomes the first caw to fly in a fixed-wing aircraft and also the first cow to be milked in an aircraft.
1929
The first Academy Awards are announced.
1913
Raymond Poincaré takes office as President of France.
1901
In Britain, the Conservative Member for Oldham, Winston Churchill MP, makes his maiden speech in the House of Commons.
1898
Motor racing legend, Enzo Anselmo Ferrari is born in Modena, Italy.
1861
Victor Emmanual II assumes the title of King of Italy.