1992 - The Government announces plans to close one third of Britain's deep coal mines, putting 31,000 miners out of work.

Ostrich meat is the leanest of all red meats.

1978 - Punk Rocker Sid Vicious (John Richie) is arrested on suspicion of murder after his girlfriend (Nancy Spungen) after her body is discovered in the couples New York hotel room.

Acrophobia is the fear of heights.

1997 - British scientists say they have established a link between brain disease - vCID - and one found in cows - BSE.

Very nice mate.

There are 2,700 languages spoken in the world.

1983 - Thirty-eight prisoners escape from a high-security jail in Northern Ireland, killing one prison officer and seriously injuring another.

1955 - Britain's first independent television station is on air, bringing advertisments to the airwaves for the first time.

Only pregnant females polar bears hibernate.