ON THIS DAY

20 YEARS AGO (1998)

Our front page revealed details of President Bill Clinton’s affair with White House intern Monica Lewinsky after his grand jury testimony under oath was made public and broadcast across America.

63 YEARS AGO (1955)

Commercial TV launched, ending the BBC’s 23-year monopoly. The Independent Television Authority – which later became ITV – began its schedule with a variety show.

38 YEARS AGO (1980)

War broke out between Iran and Iraq after the Iraqi Air Force bombed several of Iran’s military bases, including Tehran Airport. The war was over sovereignty of the Shatt al-Arab waterway on the border of both countries and vital to Western oil supplies. It lasted eight years and led to 400,000 deaths.