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.

1903 - Emmeline Pankhurst (pictured center) and several colleagues founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), an organisation open only to women and focused on direct action to win the vote.

1990 - One thousand radio stations from over 100 countries around the world simultaneously broadcast John Lennon’s “Imagine” in honour of what would have been his 50th birthday.

1908 - The Wind In The Willows, Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s book, was published. Adapted for the stage, film, and television, it has never been out of print in its entire history.

1946 - The BBC presented its first edition of Woman’s Hour, a daily programme of music, advice and entertainment for those in the home. The programme included an item on how to de-slime your flannels!

1997 - British astronaut, Michael Foale, returned safely to earth aboard the space shuttle 'Atlantis' after four and a half months on 'MIR', the Russian space station.

1936 - The start of the ‘Jarrow March’ – around 200 unemployed shipyard workers from Jarrow in north east England began walking to London to protest about the lack of jobs. The protestors arrived on 31st October.

2013 - 93 year old Clifford Dadson, from Cumbria become the oldest graduate in the UK after receiving an Arts degree from the Open University. He began studying when his wife, Rae, passed away in 2009 and has vowed to continue studying by signing up to a religious module with the university.

1952 - News of the end of tea rationing means Britons will soon be able to enjoy unlimited “cuppas” for the first time in 12 years. During a speech in Newcastle the Minister of Food, Major Gwilym Lloyd-George, said rationing and price controls on tea would be lifted the following Sunday.