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.

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.