News

1858 - Charles Darwin presented his paper 'On the Origin of the Species' to the Linnaean Society in London.

1905 - Albert Einstein published his 'Theory of Relativity'.

1934 - 'The Night of the Long Knives' took place, when Hitler ordered the murder of hundreds of top Nazis, to quash his rivals.

1971 - When the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz II returned to earth, three Russian cosmonauts were found dead on board.

1976 - Israeli commandos flew into Uganda and rescued 100 hostages from Entebbe airport.

1990 - More than a thousand Muslims were killed during a stampede in a pedestrian tunnel leading to the holy city of Mecca.

1995 - Private Lee Clegg was released from prison. He had been convicted of murdering a joyrider at an army checkpoint in Belfast in 1990.

1997 - 156 years of British colonial rule in Hong Kong came to an end. At dawn, 4,000 Chinese troops backed by armoured cars and helicopters crossed into the territory.

Sport

1981 - After a string of 41 victories, Bjorn Borg's record-breaking Wimbledon run ended when he was beaten by John McEnroe.

2002 - Brazil won the World Cup, after Ronaldo scored two goals against Germany.

2003 - Russian oil tycoon Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea Football Club.

2004 - Outsiders Greece won Euro 2004, beating the host team Portugal 1-0.

Entertainment

1929 - Elzie Segar created the cartoon character Popeye.

1936 - 'Gone With The Wind' was published for the first time.

1967 - ITN's 'News At Ten' began. It was the first-ever regular half-hour news programme.

Music

1956 - Elvis Presley recorded 'Hound Dog' and 'Don't Be Cruel' in New York. 'Hound Dog' took 31 takes before he was happy with it.

1969 - Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones drowned, at the age of 27.

Number ones

2007 - Rihanna ft Jay-Z: 'Umbrella'.

2003 - Evanescence: 'Bring Me To Life'.

2000 - Eminem: 'The Real Slim Shady'.

1993 - Gabrielle: 'Dreams'.

1988 - Bros: 'I Owe You Nothing'.

1983 - Rod Stewart: 'Baby Jane'.

1973 - Peters And Lee: 'Welcome Home'.

1968 - The Equals: 'Baby Come Back'.