On this day in ...

1908 - the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was set up in America. Its primary concern was internal security.

1945 - The Labour Party won the General election in a landslide victory. Clement Attlee became Prime Minister.

1956 - President Nasser of Egypt nationalised the Suez Canal. This led to a confrontation with Britain, France and Israel.

1958 - The Queen proclaimed Prince Charles, Prince of Wales.

1974 - The US House Judiciary Committee recommended that the House of Representatives impeach President Nixon.

1987 - A heatwave in Greece killed more than 1,000 people.

2001 - The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show was cancelled because of foot and mouth. It had taken place every year since 1800.

2005 - A dutch court sentenced a 27-year-old radical Islamist to life in prison for the murder of the controversial film-maker Theo Van Gogh.