1739 - English highwayman Dick Turpin was hanged in York for murdering an inn-keeper. Before becoming a highwayman, he had been a butcher’s apprentice. He is also known for a fictional 200-mile (320 km) overnight ride from London to York on his horse Black Bess, a story that was made famous by the Victorian novelist William Harrison Ainsworth almost 100 years after Turpin’s death.

1974 - The Swedish pop group ABBA won the 19th annual Eurovision Song Contest, held at The Dome in Brighton, Sussex, with their song "Waterloo". ABBA's win marked Sweden's first Eurovision victory and launched their career as one of the most successful pop groups of all time.

1621 - The Mayflower departed for England after having deposited 102 Pilgrims at what became the American colony of Plymouth (Massachusetts), United States.

1934 - Yorkshireman Percy Shaw, inspired by a foggy night drive, laid the first "cat's eyes" road studs at an accident black spot near Bradford, West Yorkshire.

1933 - Everest was conquered for the first time by plane when 2 specially built British planes made aviation history by flying over the summit. The pilots were the Marquis of Douglas and Clydesdale and Flight Lieutenant David McIntyre.

1962 - There was confusion and chaos on the streets of 1962 London following the launch of the first Panda crossing on York Road, opposite Waterloo Station. The minister for transport, Mr Ernest Marples opened the crossing, describing it as "a new idea in pedestrian safety".

2000 - The Enigma machine, used by the Germans to encrypt messages in the Second World War, was stolen from Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire and a ransom was demanded for its return.

1972 - The CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) organises a four day demonstration against nuclear arms including a march to Aldermaston.

2002 - Queen Elizabeth, later known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, died peacefeully in her sleep aged 101. Elizabeth Bowes Lyon was the daughter of the future Earl and Countess of Strathmore and Kinghorne. She was descended from the Royal House of Scotland and married the Duke of York, second son of King George V, in 1923.