1892: The Ferris wheel was displayed for the first time at an exhibition in Chicago.

1926: Prince Albert, Duke of York, played at the 50th Wimbledon tennis tournament.

1935: A Croydon telephonist won a competition to be the voice of the speaking clock.

1937: Wimbledon tennis was televised for the first time.

1954: Roger Bannister's mile-running record was broken by Australian John Landy who ran the mile in three minutes and 58 seconds.

1955: Ruth Ellis became the last woman ever to be sentenced to death in Britain after she killed her boyfriend.

1970: Brazil was awarded the Jules Rimet Cup for all time after winning the World Cup for the third time.

1975: Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple to form Rainbow.

1978: Elaine Paige opened in the role of Evita on the West End stage.

1982: John Hinckley, Reagan's would-be assassin, was found not guilty of attempted murder on mental health grounds.

1987: The Firm had the number one spot in the charts with Star Trekkin.