1651: Charles II, defeated by Cromwell at Worcester, fled to France, destitute and friendless.

1777: British commander General Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga in the American War of Independence.

1849: Frederic Chopin, Polish pianist and composer, died of tuberculosis in Paris, aged 39.

1860: The first professional golf tournament was held at Prestwick, Scotland, and won by Willie Park.

1899: British troops defeated the Boers at Glencoe.

1914: German U-boats raided Scapa Flow, main base of the British Fleet.

1931: Mobster Al Capone was jailed for 11 years for tax evasion.

1956: Calder Hall in Cumbria, Britain's first large-scale atomic energy station, was opened by The Queen.

1960: The News Chronicle newspaper ceased publication.

1991: Four ITV companies, TV-am, Thames, TVS and TSW lost their licences under changes announced by the Independent Television Commission.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Proud parents Gordon and Sarah Brown wept tears of joy at the birth of their son John.