ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

April 27

❑ 1 year ago…TV star dies Controversial talk show host Jerry Springer, inset, passes away from pancreatic cancer aged 79.

❑ 6 years ago… ABBA’s back The Swedish pop group, known for 1970s hits like Waterloo, announce that they have recorded new songs together for the first time in nearly four decades.

❑19 years ago…Airbus 380 is airborne The world’s largest passenger airliner, capable of carrying more than 850 passengers, makes its maiden test flight in Toulouse, France.

❑ 23 years ago…Striker signs Dutch ace Ruud Van Nistelrooy completes his £18.5million transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Man Utd.

❑ 32 years ago…Woman speaker Labour MP Betty Boothroyd MP is elected the first female speaker of the House of Commons, serving in the role for eight years.

❑ 42 years ago…Gunman in the dock The trial of John Hinckley Jr, right, begins for the attempted assassination of US President Ronald Reagan. He would be found not guilty by reason of insanity.

❑ 43 years ago…Beatle weds Drummer Ringo Starr marries US actress Barbara Bach, famous for starring in the 1977 Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me.

❑ 68 years ago…Rocky Marciano retires The 32-year-old world heavyweight champion hangs up his gloves, still undefeated. The American boxer had won all 49 of his fights – 43 by knockout.

❑ 79 years ago…Mussolini captured Facing defeat in World War Two, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, left, is captured by partisans trying to flee disguised as a German soldier.

❑ 116 years ago… UK Games The fourth modern Olympics opens at London’s White City stadium. It sets the distance for the modern Marathon and sees Great Britain top the medal table.

❑ 196 years ago…London Zoo opens The Zoological Society of London opens its animal attraction on the edge of Regent’s Park.

❑ 728 years ago…Edward I defeats Scots. King Edward I of England defeats a Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar and effectively conquers the country, removing the coronation stone of Scone to Westminster.