On this day in...

1588 - The Spanish Armada was defeated by the English fleet off Plymouth.

1907 - Robert Baden-Powell officially launched the Boy Scouts.

1976 - Fire damaged the world's longest pier at Southend.

1981 - The Prince of Wales married Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral in London. The televised wedding was watched by more than 700 million viewers around the world.

1998 - A couple in Wales were given special dispensation to marry at home as the bride was agrophobic. They planned to spend their honeymoon watching videos.

2001 - Claire Sweeney had her breasts insured for £5m. It was in preparation for a publicity stunt where she was to abseil down a 90ft building wearing just knickers and a bra.

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