ON THIS DAY

82 years ago ( 1938)

Amid tension in Europe, we reported talks between Neville Chamberlain and Adolf Hitler ended in a “provisional’ agreement over Nazi Germany’s annexation of the Czech territory of Sudetenland. The so- called Munich Agreement of September 30 was considered a coup for the British PM’s policy of appeasement but would last less than six months after Hitler seized the rest of Czechoslovakia.

45 years ago ( 1975)

Dougal Haston and Doug Scott became the first Brits to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

They ascended via the previously unconquered south west face and set the record for the fastest climb.

The expedition leader was mountaineer Chris Bonington.

24 years ago ( 1996)

Representatives of 71 countries signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty outlawing all nuclear tests for either military or civilian purposes.

Despite being adopted by the UN, the treaty has still not been ratified by China, the USA, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, India or North Korea.