1553: Mary I became Queen of England. She was the first Queen to rule England in her own right.

1892: Britain's first non-white MP was elected. Dadabhai Naoraji became MP for Central Finsbury in London.

1957: Anthea Gibson of America became the first black Wimbledon tennis champion. She beat Darlene Hard to win the ladies' singles title.

1959: A rabbit and two dogs safely returned to the USSR after a space flight.

1964: The Beatles' first film, A Hard Day's Night, premiered in London.

1971: Middle of the Road were number one in the hit parade with Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep.

1974: The Wimbledon Singles titles were won by an engaged couple, Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert.