1935 – Just one year after their invention by Percy Shaw of Yorkshire, ‘cats’ eyes’ were being inserted into British roads.

1945 – The German army in Italy surrendered to the Allies under the British General Alexander. The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, ‘Il Duce’, who, after a series of military misadventures, became unpopular even among his fellow Fascists, was captured while trying to flee Italy and was executed.

1945 – Adolf Hitler married his longtime partner Eva Braun in a Berlin bunker and designated Admiral Karl Dönitz as his successor. Both Hitler and Braun committed suicide the next day.

1986 – The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, was laid to rest at Frogmore in Windsor, alongside her husband, the abdicated King Edward VIII.

1990 – Snooker player Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White, to become the youngest ever world professional champion, aged 21 years and 106 days.

1993 – It was announced that Buckingham Palace would be opened to the public for the first time (during August & September) in a bid to raise funds to repair Windsor Castle.

1998 – David Hempleman-Adams became the first person to conquer adventuring’s grand slam’ when he reached the North Pole. He had walked to both Poles and climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents.

2008 – The unveiling, in his home town of Bolton, of the 8ft memorial statue to the legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of his birth (see earlier article). Dibnah was also an industrial historian, mechnical engineer, steam engine enthusiast and television presenter. He was awarded the MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours for services to heritage and broadcasting.

2011 – The marriage of Prince William, 2nd in line to the throne, and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. The day was declared a bank holiday in celebration.

2013 – Sweeping welfare system changes came into effect, with a single, monthly payment replacing benefits including tax credits, housing benefit, jobseeker’s allowance and income support. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith declared ‘The something for nothing culture is coming to an end.’

2014 – The death (aged 71) of Robert William ‘Bob’ Hoskins, English actor, known for playing Cockneys and gangsters. His best known works included lead roles in The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mermaids and Super Mario Bros.

2014 – A campaign poster advertising Nigel Farage’s UKIP was inadvertently placed next to a ‘Go Outdoors’ poster for inflatable tents that bore the slogan – ‘No Poles Required’.