ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY

by JAMES MOORE

1 year ago… Waggro drama

The Daily Star reports Coleen Rooney has accused fellow WAG Rebekah Vardy of leaking stories about her via Instagram.

9 years ago… Joanna Yeates murder trial

Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak goes on trial accused of murdering the 25- year- old architect in December 2010. He would later be found guilty and jailed for life.

16 years ago… Christopher Reeve dies

The American actor, famous for his role as Superman, dies aged 52. He had been left paralysed by a horse- riding accident in 1995.

28 years ago… Gladiators launched

The ITV game show, presented by Ulrika Jonsson and John Fashanu, airs and would run for eight years.

35 years ago… Screen legends bow out

Citizen Kane star Orson Welles dies aged 70, while actor Yul Brynner, famous for roles in movies such as The Magnificent Seven dies aged 65.

40 years ago… Bombshell speech

Despite rising unemployment, PM Margaret Thatcher refuses to change her economic policies saying: “The lady’s not for turning!” at the Tory party conference in Brighton.

45 years ago… Movie icons remarry

Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor remarry in an African village 16 months after getting divorced. They would divorce again in 1976.

57 years ago… Second Bond movie released

From Russia With Love, starring Sean Connery and Daniela Bianchi, gets its premiere.

63 years ago… UK’S nuclear accident

A fire at the Windscale nuclear plant in Cumbria leads to a major radiation leak. It is the world’s first major nuclear accident.

92 years ago… Tyne Bridge opens

The crossing, connecting the city of Newcastle upon Tyne to Gateshead is opened by King George V.

134 years ago… Tuxedo debuts

The first black tie dinner jacket, described as a “tailless dress coat”, is worn to an autumn ball at Tuxedo Park, New York.

207 years ago… Opera star born

Giuseppe Verdi is born in Roncole, in what is now northern Italy. He would go on to write famous operas such as La Traviata.