673 The Venerable Bede, English historian and scholar, was born in Jarrow.

1703 Death of diarist Samuel Pepys.

1805 Napoleon was crowned King of Italy in Milan Cathedral.

1733 John Kay, Richard Arkwright's assistant, patented the Flying Shuttle to operate on Arkwright's spinning frame.

1865 The Confederate Army surrendered in Texas, ending the American Civil War.

1868 Irish terrorist Michael Barrett was hanged outside Newgate Prison for causing an explosion in London which left 13 dead -- the last public execution in England.

1906 The rebuilt Vauxhall Bridge over the Thames was opened.

1913 Emily Duncan became Britain's first woman magistrate.

1950 Petrol rationing ended in Britain.

1969 John Lennon and Yoko Ono began a "bed-in" for world peace in a Montreal hotel.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: The BBC insisted that Have I Got News For You host Angus Deayton was not facing disciplinary action, despite allegations thathe snorted cocaine.

BIRTHDAYS: Stevie Nicks, singer, 55; Pam Grier, actress, 54; Michael Portillo, Conservative MP, 50; Lenny Kravitz, rock guitarist, 39; Helena Bonham Carter, actress, 37; Zola Budd, athlete, 37; Matt Stone, actor and writer (South Park), 32; Patsy Palmer, actress, 31; Alan White, rock drummer (Oasis), 31.