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.

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.

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.

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 Built by Armstrong Whitworth, Lancasters served in the RAF from February 1946 until December 1953 and were officially withdrawn in a ceremony at St. Mawgan, Cornwall.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).