On this DAY

1284: According to legend, the Pied Piper reappeared in the German town of Hamelin. He had rid the town of rats but the townspeople refused to pay him, so he led away 130 children with his pipe, and sealed them in a cave.

1830: King George IV died aged 67. His breakfast was two pigeons, three beefsteaks, a bottle of Moselle, a glass of Champagne, two glasses of port and one of brandy.

1857: The first investiture ceremony of Victoria Cross medals took place in Hyde Park. Queen Victoria awarded 62 servicemen this highest military honour.

1862: Kent bowler Joseph Wells became the first man to take four first-class wickets with four successive balls, against Sussex.

1906: The first Grand Prix took place at Le Mans and was won by Hungarian Ferenc Szisz.

1909: The Victoria and Albert Museum opened to the public.

1917: King George V dropped the German titles from the royal family, and Saxe-Coburg-Gotha became Windsor. The name Battenberg was changed to Mountbatten.

1939: The first National Serviceman, number 10000001, Private Rupert Alexander, signed up with the Middlesex Regiment.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Canadian soldier Capt Megan Couto spoke of her pride at becoming the first female officer to command troops guarding the Queen at Buckingham Palace.