1860: The first British tramway was inaugurated by an American, George Francis Train.

1901: Hubert Cecil Booth patented the vacuum cleaner.

1939: In anticipation of German air raids, children were evacuated from British cities four days before the outbreak of World War Two.

1956: Traffic wardens went to work for the first time.

1963: The "hot-line" between the American and Soviet presidents was established to reduce the risk of accidental nuclear war.

1972: The FA made it clear that a player could be booked only once during a game. A second offence, which needed a caution would result in being sent off.

1994: A paternity case, instigated by a Californian woman against Boy George, was thrown out of the British courts.

1996: Former world boxing champion Frank Bruno announced his retirement.

1993: Briton, Mark Nyman, won the World Scrabble Championship with the word "wet", which earned him 20 points.