1887: Russia sold Alaska to America for $7.2 million.

1992: The British Broadcasting Company (later Corporation) was officially formed.

1967: A Russian spacecraft made the first soft landing on Venus.

1968: American Bob Beamon set a world long jump record which was to stand for more than 20 years.

1969: Rod Steward joined The Faces.

1981: Bergerac was screened for the first time.

1982: The first cattle grid with an escape route for hedgehogs was unveiled near Ludlow in Shropshire.

1986: Ex-Eastender Nick Berry was at number one with Every Loser Wins.

1989: Hungary was proclaimed a free republic following the collapse of Communism.

1995: Three times Grand National winner, Red Rum, died. He was buried by the finishing line at Aintree racecourse.