BBC - On This Day
1945: Germany signs unconditional surrender
Germany signs an unconditional surrender ending six years of war in Europe.
1976: Quake devastates northern Italy
Italy's worst ever earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale kills more than 550 people and leaves 80,000 homeless.
1965: Huge Rhodesia election win for Smith
White voters in the African colony of Rhodesia back Prime Minister Ian Smith's Rhodesian Front which is demanding independence from the UK.
2001: Thousands greet Pope in Syrian visit
Pope John Paul II prays for peace on a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus, where he is greeted by thousands of people.
1956: Minister rejects anti-smoking lobby
The Health Minister, RH Turton, rejects calls for a government campaign against smoking, saying no ill-effects have been proven.
2001: Healthy cattle to die to save Exmoor
More than 1,000 cattle on two farms near Exmoor will be slaughtered - even though they show no sign of foot-and-mouth disease - in order to protect Exmoor from infection.