1783: William Pitt the Younger became Prime Minister of England, at the age of 24.

1787: Delaware became the first state of America.

1907: At London's National Sporting Club, Eugene Corri became the first referee to officiate inside a boxing ring.

1941: The Japanese attacked the American fleet in Pearl Harbour.

1945: Microwave ovens were patented.

1955: Clement Attlee resigned as leader of the Labour Party at the age of 72.

1966: Riding high at the top of the hit parade was Tom Jones with the classic Green Green Grass of Home.

1982: The first execution by lethal injection took place at Fort Worth Prison, Texas.

1988: Armenia experienced a devastating earthquake.

1995: India saw a jump in the demand for rubber -- which they attributed to the increased use of condoms.