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.

1983 - Richard Noble, a Scottish entrepreneur set a new world land speed record of 663.5mph at the Black Rock Desert, Nevada in his jet-powered car, Thrust II.

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.

1995 - British rock band Oasis released their second album, "(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?" featuring hits like "Wonderwall" and "Don't Look Back in Anger," it is one of the best-selling albums in UK history.

1990 - A large explosion above the Pacific Ocean turned out to be a meteorite. It was originally thought to be a nuclear event; however, analysis concluded that the exploding object had been a stony, 100-ton asteroid.

1840 - The foundation stone for Nelson’s Column (laid by Charles Davidson Scott) was laid in Trafalgar Square and completed in 1843 to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson and his decisive victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, where he lost his life.

1997 - Robbie Williams released his debut solo album, Life Thru a Lens. The album features the hit single "Angels", which was released as the fourth single in December 1997 and became his biggest-selling single to date.