1498: Mozambique, on Africa's south-eastern coast, was discovered by Vasco de Gama.

1904: Glenn Miller, US trombonist, bandleader and composer, was born.

1932: The baby son of US aviator Charles Lindbergh was kidnapped. He was found dead on May 12.

1940: Vivien Leigh won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind.

1949: Joe Louis, US world heavyweight boxing champion known as the BrownBomber, retired aged 35, after a record 25 successful defences of his title.

1966: Chancellor of the Exchequer James Callaghan said Britain would switch to decimal currency from 1971.

1978: Charlie Chaplin's coffin was stolen from a Swiss cemetery three months after burial. It was found 10 miles away on May 17.