October 23rd – On This Day
2018 - The world’s longest over sea bridge opened in China. The 34.2-mile bridge links the cities of Hong Kong and Macau to mainland China. The bridge reduced what was a four-hour journey, to just 45 minutes.
October 22nd – On This Day
1983 - The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) held its biggest ever protest against nuclear missiles in London, with an estimated one million people taking part.
October 21st – On This Day
1966 - 144 people were killed in the small Welsh mining village of Aberfan when tons of slush, from a nearby coal slag tip weakened by rain, slid downhill and engulfed the village school.
October 20th – On This Day
1946 - ‘Muffin the Mule’, a wooden puppet operated by Annette Mills (sister of actor Sir John Mills) first appeared in a children’s television programme on BBC TV.
October 19th – On This Day
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.
October 18th – On This Day
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.
October 17th – On This Day
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.
October 16th – On This Day
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.
October 15th – On This Day
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 Built by Armstrong Whitworth, Lancasters served in the RAF from February 1946 until December 1953 and were officially withdrawn in a ceremony at St. Mawgan, Cornwall.