1781: The American War of Independence came to an end when Lord Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia.

1812: Napoleon's army began its retreat from Moscow.

1860: The first company to manufacture internal combustion engines was formed in Florence. The engines were designed by Eugenio Barsanti and Felice Matteucci.

1862: Auguste Lumiere, French moving picture pioneer, was born. His 'Cinematographe' system gave its name to the word 'cinema'.

1872: The Holtermann nugget, the largest gold-bearing nugget ever found, weighing 630lb, was mined at Hill End, New South Wales, Australia.

1963: Sir Alec Douglas-Home succeeded Harold Macmillan as Prime Minister.

1987: Jacqueline du Pre, British cellist, died aged 42.

1987: Black Monday on Wall Street wiped out millions on the stock markets around the world. Wall Street ended the day down 22pc, lower than the 1929 crash.

1989: The Guildford Four had their convictions quashed after serving 15 years for the IRA Guildford and Woolwich bombings.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Prime Minister Tony Blair was taken to hospital after feeling faint and unwell and was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat. Mr Blair, 50, was advised to rest for 24 hours following a cardio-version to deal with his heart condition.