On This Day

News, showbiz and sport stories and video from this day in history

Diego Maradona scores against England in the World Cup quarter-final - with his hand.

June 22, 1986: Maradona crushes England’s World Cup dreams with the Hand of God goal

An act of infamy and a moment of genius from Diego Maradona saw England exit the World Cup in Mexico on a night that would define the career of the controversial Argentinian.

On this day - January

January

Concorde's first flight, the euro arrives and Britain wakes up to breakfast TV - notable January events and anniversaries

On this day - February

February

Nelson Mandela is free, Torvill and Dean win Olympic gold and Buddy Holly dies - historic happenings from February

On this day - March

March

The Queen Mother dies, the Miners' Strike ends and the Spitfire takes to the skies - memorable moments from March

On this day - April

April

Gagarin is the first man in space, Kurt Cobain commits suicide and Martin Luther King is shot - April's notable anniversaries

On This Day - May

May

Everest is conquered, Ayrton Senna is killed and Margaret Thatcher is Britain's first female PM - May days from history

On This Day - June

June

Jaws fever bites, the nation celebrates the Silver Jubilee and Wimbledon serves up its longest match - on this day in June

On this day - July

July

England beat West Germany to win the World Cup, Live Aid raises millions and rationing ends - July's historic days

On this day - August

August

Record summer temperatures, the start of the Berlin Wall and Pluto is demoted - August anniversaries to note

On this day - September

September

9/11 attacks shock the world, Ben Johnson is stripped of gold and Bobby's back in Dallas - September's days to remember

On this day - October

October

The Great Storm hits, the BT Tower opens and Concorde makes its final flight - memorable moments in October

On this day - December

November

BBC One goes colour, the National Lottery begins and Margaret Thatcher quits - notable November goings-on

On this day - December

December

Edwina sparks outrage, Edward VIII abdicates and Santa is tracked - December dates to remember

Royal events to remember

Queen Elizabeth II sits on the throne in Westminster Abbey surrounded by peers and churchmen.
June 2, 1953: Millions watch on TV as Queen Elizabeth II is crowned at Westminster Abbey
The Queen and Prince Phillip greet wellwishers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
June 7, 1977: Britons mark the Queen’s Silver Jubilee with 12,000 street parties
The newly-wed Prince and Princess of Wales share a kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
July 29, 1981: Prince Charles marries Lady Diana in front of record global audience of 750 million
Windsor Castle ablaze
November 20, 1992: Queen faces huge repair bill as Windsor Castle is devastated by fire

Sporting anniversaries

Muhammad Ali celebrates
February 25, 1964: Muhammad Ali becomes World Heavyweight Champion
Ellen MacArthur celebrating her world record on her boat
February 7, 2005: Ellen MacArthur breaks round-the world sailing record
Diego Maradona scores against England in the World Cup quarter-final - with his hand.
June 22, 1986: Maradona crushes England’s World Cup dreams with the Hand of God goal
Jessica Ennis celebrates her heptathlon victory at the Olympic Stadium.
August 4, 2012: Olympic fever grips the nation as six golds make it a Super Saturday for Team GB

Memorable musical moments

June 1, 1967: Beatles break new ground with release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
June 1, 1967: Beatles break new ground with release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Sex Pistols
January 6, 1977: EMI fires the Sex Pistols after TV shame and airport anarchy
The Live Aid stage at Wembley Stadium.
July 13, 1985: Live Aid concerts raise millions for famine relief in Africa
Elvis performing
August 16, 1977: The King is Dead: Elvis Presley dies aged 42 in Memphis

Entertainment events through the years

December 27, 1977: Star Wars arrives in the UK – heralded by a wave of hype
December 27, 1977: Star Wars arrives in the UK – heralded by a wave of hype
Major Charles Ingram celebrates winning a million pounds on the game show
September 10, 2001: We don't want to give you that, Who Wants to be a Millionaire bosses tell 'cheating major' Charles Ingram
BBC2 controller Michael Peacock at a rehearsal for the channel's launch
April 20, 1964: Power cut pulls the plug on BBC2’s big launch night
Jaws hits the big screen
June 20, 1975: Jaws hits cinemas and the summer movie blockbuster is born

Political milestones

John F Kennedy gives his inauguration speech
January 20, 1961: John F. Kennedy inaugurated as youngest elected US president
Robin Cook leaves the House of Commons after delivering his resignation speech.
March 17, 2003: Commons Leader Robin Cook resigns as Britain prepares for war with Iraq
Labour leader John Smith, who died after a heart attack on May 12, 1994.
May 12, 1994: John Smith's death leaves Britain mourning 'the best prime minister it never had'
Margaret Thatcher
May 4, 1979: Margaret Thatcher becomes the UK’s first woman Prime Minister

Key moments in transport history

British and French workers exchange flags under the English Channel
December 1, 1990: Channel Tunnel breakthrough as British and French make undersea rendezvous
1936: A Spitfire Mk 1 fighter, made by Messers Vickers, on show to the public for the first time over Eastleigh Aerodrome, Southampton
March 5, 1936: The Spitfire - the iconic fighter plane of the Battle of Britain - takes to the skies
Neil Armstrong walks on the Moon.
July 21, 1969: Neil Armstrong takes 'giant leap for mankind' onto surface of the Moon
Concorde's pilot and co-pilot wave the Union Flag on arrival at Heathrow.
October 24, 2003: Britons look to the skies as Concorde makes its final commercial flight
Latest news headlines
Child obesity plan targets energy drinks and supermarket checkout ‘pester power’

Child obesity plan targets energy drinks and supermarket checkout ‘pester power’

Trump press secretary says she was told to leave Virginia restaurant

Trump press secretary says she was told to leave Virginia restaurant

Speed up ‘no-deal Brexit plans’ to gain leverage over EU, hardliners tell May

Speed up ‘no-deal Brexit plans’ to gain leverage over EU, hardliners tell May

What the papers say – June 24

What the papers say – June 24

Saudi women now in the driving seat as long-standing ban ends

Saudi women now in the driving seat as long-standing ban ends

Potholes caused £70,000 of damage to emergency service vehicles

Potholes caused £70,000 of damage to emergency service vehicles

The Royal Wedding
Royal Wedding special: The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in pictures, words and video

Relive the wedding of Harry and Meghan in pictures, words and video

News in pictures
In pictures: Brexit protesters take to streets of London

In pictures: Brexit protesters take to streets of London

In Pictures: Dazzling display kicks off Great Exhibition Of The North

In Pictures: Dazzling display kicks off Great Exhibition Of The North

In Pictures: Crowds gather for summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge

Crowds gather for summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge

In Pictures: Stars shine at Serpentine Summer Party

In Pictures: Stars shine at Serpentine Summer Party

In Pictures: Hats off as Harry and Meghan join the Queen at Royal Ascot

In Pictures: Hats off as Harry and Meghan join the Queen at Royal Ascot

In Pictures: England bugged by flies in World Cup opener

In Pictures: England bugged by flies in World Cup opener

In Pictures: Fans excited as England’s opener against Tunisia gets under way

In Pictures: Fans excited as England’s opener against Tunisia gets under way

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