THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

DECEMBER 7, 1941: The Japanese attacked the US fleet in Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Storm Barra hit the UK and Ireland with disruptive winds, heavy rain and snow. DECEMBER 8, 1991: Leaders of the three republics – Russia, Belorussia and Ukraine – formed a “commonwealth of independent states” and pronounced the Soviet Union dead.

DECEMBER 9, 1990: Solidarity leader Lech Walesa was elected president of Poland.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: The memorial message for Captain Sir Tom Moore was the most retweeted and liked post on Twitter in the UK of the year, the platform revealed. DECEMBER 10, 2011: The Sun, Earth and Moon fell almost exactly in line. DECEMBER 11, 1945: London’s second Waterloo Bridge, designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, opened.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Street artist Banksy switched to the rag trade by selling T-shirts to support four people facing trial accused of criminal damage in relation to the toppling of a statue of slave trader Edward Colston. DECEMBER 12, 1925: The world’s first motel opened in California – starting the trend for overnight stops for motorists in individual accommodation.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Emmerdale actor Danny Miller was named King of the Castle after winning I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!