1781 - The American War of Independence came to an end when British commander Lord Cornwallis surrendered his 8,000 troops to George Washington at Yorktown, in Virginia, after a three week siege.

1995 - Red Rum, three times winner of the Grand National at Aintree, died at the age of 30, an exceptional age for a horse. He was buried by the Aintree winning post where his grave is marked by an engraved stone, listing his Grand National record.

1860 - The world’s first Open Golf Championship was held at Prestwick Golf Club, in Ayrshire, Scotland. Until his death in 1859, Allan Robertson was regarded as the top golfer in the world.

1958 - Britain’s most popular children’s television programme ‘Blue Peter’ was first broadcast on BBC TV. The first presenters were Leila Williams and Christopher Trace.

1956 - The last RAF Lancaster bomber was retired from service. Built by Armstrong Whitworth, Lancasters served in the RAF from February 1946 until December 1953 and were officially withdrawn in a ceremony at St. Mawgan, Cornwall.

1929 - The world’s largest airship, the R101 (an experimental British airship), made its maiden voyage. At the time of this achievement, it was the world’s largest flying vessel, clocking in at an astonishing length of 223 meters (731 feet).

1996 - British racing driver Damon Hill, driving a Williams, won the Japanese Grand Prix to clinch his first (and only) World Championship.

1969 - The opening of Preston Bus Station, one of the largest in Western Europe. Threatened with demolition since the year 2000, campaigns and applications were made numerous times to save the building.

1957 - The largest radio telescope in the world (at that time) was switched on at Jodrell Bank in Cheshire. Originally called the "250 ft telescope", it was renamed the Lovell Telescope in 1987 after Sir Bernard Lovell, who designed it and was the director of Jodrell Bank.