ON THIS DAY
1633: Bananas were displayed in a London shop window - the first time the fruit had been seen in Britain.
1710: The Copyright Act came into effect, allowing authors to hold exclusive rights to their work for up to 50 years after death. 1820: The first British settlers arrived at Algoa Bay in the eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
1829: William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, was born in Nottingham.
1849: The safety pin was patented by Walter Hunt of New York - he made it in only three hours and later sold the rights for 400 dollars to pay debts.
1868: Actor George Arliss was born. He was the first British star to win an Oscar - in 1929 for his role as Disraeli.
1917: Canadian troops captured Vimy Ridge.
1924: The first book of crosswords was published in New York.
1955: Ruth Ellis shot dead David Blakely outside a pub in north London - an act for which she was subsequently hanged.
1970: Paul McCartney announced that he was leaving The Beatles for personal and professional reasons. 1971: In an attempt to thaw relations with the United States, the People’s Republic of China hosted the U.S. table tennis team for a week-long visit.
1998: The Northern Ireland peace deal was reached, called the Good Friday Agreement.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Park bosses announced that a new £16.25m roller-coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach would be named Icon.
BIRTHDAYS: Max von Sydow, actor, 89; Gloria Hunniford, TV and radio presenter, 78; Paul Theroux, author, 77; Steven Seagal, actor and director 66; Lesley Garrett, soprano, 63; Nicky Campbell, TV presenter, 57; Mandy Moore, singer/actress, 34; Haley Joel Osment, actor, 30.