1991

In Britain, the House of Lords rules that husbands can legally be convicted of raping their wives.

1987

In Britain, former Champion Jockey Lester Piggott is jailed for three years for tax evasion.

1967

British farmers begin slaughtering cattle following a severe outbreak of 'foot and mouth' disease.

1956

Rioting in Budapest starts the Hungarian Uprising. Demonstrators call for the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Hungary.

1946

The United Nations holds its first General Assembly in New York.

1933

World WarII, the start of the decisive battle of El Alemein between Allied forces commanded by British Field Marshall Montgomery and the German and Italian North African armies commanded by Field Marshall Rommel. The Allies gain a significant victory at the end of 16 days' fighting.

1906

In Britain, women suffragettes, campaigning for the right to vote, hold a demonstration at the House of Commons. 10 are arrested and sent to prison.

1843

The building of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square, commemorating Admiral Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, is finally completed.

1642

The Battle of Edgehill, in the Cotswolds - the first major battle of the English Civil War between King Charles I of England and Parliament.

42BC

Brutus, whose army is crushed by Anthony and Octavian at Philippi, commits suicide in Rome by falling on his own sword.

4004BC

The day God created the world -according to Archbishop James Usher, a 17th century Vice Chancellor of Cambridge Uniiversity. Although there are 14 conflicting versions of the date, Usher's is the only one matching the chronology of the authorised version of the bible.

1940

Brazilian footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento known as-Pele. Becomes the most famous footballer in the world. Makes his international debut aged 16 and wins a World Cup winners' medal in 1958 - scoring one of the goals to beat Sweden in the final. Is a member of the Brazilian team which wins the World Cup again in 1970 in Mexico. Scores more than 1,000 goals in first class football and signs a multi-million dollar contract to play for New York Cosmos in an attempt, during 1970s, to popularise football in the United States of America.

1940

British musician Gerry Marsden is born in Liverpool. His group 'Gerry and the Pacemakers' has a string of hits during the early 1960s as part of the 'Mersey Sound', begun by 'The Beatles'. Hits include 'How Do You Do What You Do To Me' and 'Ferry Cross the Mersey'.

1931

English actress Diana Dors is born in Swindon, Wiltshire - real name Diana Fluck. Makes her film debut in 'The Shop at Sly Corner' (1946) and is promoted as a cinema sex symbol - Britain's answer to America's Marylin Monroe. Other films include 'Yield To The Night' (1956); 'Deep End' (1970) and 'The Amazing Mr Blunden' (1972). Dies in 1984.

1900

Controversial England cricket captain Douglas Jardine is born in Bombay, India. Is England captain for the Australian tour, 1932-33 and has devised his so-called 'leg theory' which involves England fast bowler's Harold Larwood and Bill Voce aiming at the batsman rather than the wicket . This 'bodyline' bowling is effective - stopping batsmen such as Donald Bradman scoring too many runs - but the injuries it causes to Australian batsmen sparks an international storm with threats that the tour might be called off. Jardine refuses to change tactics and England win the series and the Ashes. Jardine dies in June, 1958 still refusing to apologise.

1950

American singer Al Jolson, dies aged 66. Born the son of a rabbi, in Lithuania, he emigrated to America in 1893. Made his stage debut in 1899 and toured America music halls singing songs such as 'Mammy' and 'Sonny Boy'. Best remembered as the star of cinema's first talking picture, 'The Jazz Singer' in 1929.

1921

Scottish inventor John Dunlop. Although trained as a veterinary surgeon in Edinburgh, was credited with inventing the pneumatic tyre - using inflated rubber hoses instead of solid rubber tyres to mend a child's bicycle. Although the idea had already been patented, in 1899 he began the Dunlop Rubber Company which produced the first commercially practical pneumatic tyres for bicyles and cars.

1915

England cricketer W.(William) G (Gilbert) Grace. Made his England debut in 1864 and between then and his retirement in 1908 (aged 50) scored 126 first class centuries; amassed a total of 54,896 runs and taken 2,864 wickets.