The revelation of an affair with actress Antonia de Sancha led to David Mellor resigning from John Major’s government - the latest in a long list of scandals to damage the Conservative Party's image.
Concorde's first flight, the euro arrives and Britain wakes up to breakfast TV - notable January events and anniversaries
Nelson Mandela is free, Torvill and Dean win Olympic gold and Buddy Holly dies - historic happenings from February
The Queen Mother dies, the Miners' Strike ends and the Spitfire takes to the skies - memorable moments from March
Gagarin is the first man in space, Kurt Cobain commits suicide and Martin Luther King is shot - April's notable anniversaries
Everest is conquered, Ayrton Senna is killed and Margaret Thatcher is Britain's first female PM - May days from history
Jaws fever bites, the nation celebrates the Silver Jubilee and Wimbledon serves up its longest match - on this day in June
England beat West Germany to win the World Cup, Live Aid raises millions and rationing ends - July's historic days
Record summer temperatures, the start of the Berlin Wall and Pluto is demoted - August anniversaries to note
9/11 attacks shock the world, Ben Johnson is stripped of gold and Bobby's back in Dallas - September's days to remember
The Great Storm hits, the BT Tower opens and Concorde makes its final flight - memorable moments in October
BBC One goes colour, the National Lottery begins and Margaret Thatcher quits - notable November goings-on
Edwina sparks outrage, Edward VIII abdicates and Santa is tracked - December dates to remember
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