1998 Iran lifts fatwa on Salman Rushdie after nearly 10 years

2003: Hutton Inquiry hears final arguments
On the final day of the Hutton Inquiry, the court hears closing statements bitterly criticising the Ministry of Defence and the BBC.

1997: Earthquakes rock central Italy
Two earthquakes kill 10 people and severely damage priceless art treasures in central Italy.

1998 16 years under Kohl end as Schroeder wins German elections

1988: Shuttle blasts US back into space
The United States successfully launches its first manned space mission since the Challenger disaster two and a half years ago.

1994: Sleepy Boris 'snubs' Irish leader
A meeting between two international statesmen in Ireland is cancelled - because one of them overslept.

1957: British public gets 'Asian Flu' vaccine
A vaccine against the strain of influenza currently sweeping around the world is made available to the British public.

1983: 'Dream ticket' wins Labour leadership
Neil Kinnock becomes the new leader of the Labour party, with Roy Hattersley joining him as deputy.

1952: Tea rationing to end
Britons will soon be able to enjoy unlimited "cuppas" for the first time in 12 years following an announcement from the Ministry of Food.

1993: US forces killed in Somali gun battle
At least five US soldiers die and two Blackhawk helicopters are shot down in a firefight with Mogadishu warlords.

1984: Essex police make record drugs haul
Police and Customs in Essex seize Britain's biggest ever haul of cannabis made in a single raid.

1970: Hundreds held in series of hijacks
Four New York-bound airliners are hijacked over western Europe in an operation carried out by a militant Palestinian group.

1984: Epidemic 'spreads to second hospital'
Three more people die in the food poisoning epidemic at hospitals in Yorkshire, bringing the total number of deaths to 22.

2003: The Terminator takes on California
Film star Arnold Schwarzenegger is elected governor of California, ousting the incumbent, Gray Davis, three years before the end of his term of office.

1991: Sumos size up Royal Albert Hall
The first Sumo wrestling tournament ever held off Japanese soil in the sport's 1500 year history begins.