On this day

1455: In the War of the Roses, the Lancastrians defeated the Yorkists at the Battle of St Albans.

1570: First atlas “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum” (Theatre of the World), is published by Abraham Ortelius in Antwerp with 70 maps. 1611: James I created the title “baronet”. 1813: Richard Wagner, operatic composer, was born in Leipzig. 1826: The HMS Beagle departs on its first voyage. 1859: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, was born of Irish parents in Edinburgh.

1863: American Civil War: Union forces begin the Siege of Port Hudson which lasts 48 days – the longest siege in US military history. 1897: The Blackwall Tunnel under the Thames was officially opened. 1908: The Wright Brothers patented their flying machine. 1939: Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini sign the "Pact of Steel". 1972: Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka.

1981: “Yorkshire Ripper” Peter Sutcliffe was found guilty at the Old Bailey of murdering 13 women and attempting to murder seven others. Sutcliffe was sentenced to 30 years minimum in prison.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Superstar DJ Calvin Harris pulled out of a second gig following a “serious” car crash in Los Angeles.