1571: The Battle of Lepanto was fought in the waters off south-western Greece, when Christian allied naval forces defeated the Ottoman Turks.

1920: Oxford University admitted its first 100 women for degrees.

1922: The first royal broadcast was made by the Prince of Wales, on 2LO, 11 days before it changed its name to the British Broadcasting Company.

1922: English music hall entertainer Marie Lloyd died aged 52 after defying doctor's orders not to go on stage when unwell.

1932: The London Philharmonic Orchestra gave its first concert in the now demolished Queen's Hall in London, with Sir Thomas Beecham conducting.

1946: Woman's Hour was first broadcast on BBC radio, a daily programme of music, advice and entertainment for the home. Joan Griffiths was the first regular presenter. The thriller serial Dick Barton, Special Agent, also started.

1959: Lunik III took the first pictures of the far side of the Moon.

1986: A new British newspaper, The Independent, was published.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Vitamins taken by millions to ward off cancer may accelerate the spread of malignant skin tumours, a study found.

OCTOBER 7 BIRTHDAYS: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, 85; Thomas Keneally, author, 81; Christopher Booker, author, 79; Kevin Godley, rock musician (10cc), 71; John Mellencamp, singer, 65; Jayne Torvill, ice skater, 59; Simon Cowell, music guru/television producer, 57; Thom Yorke, musician, 48; Sami Hyypia, former footballer, 43.