13th February

1917 - The British government announces that women are permitted to become taxi drivers.

1949 - In Ecuador a radio station is burned down by a mob, after a broadcast of The War of the Worlds' causes widespread panic.

1971 - With his first two shots at Bob Hope's Desert Classic golf match, American Vice President Spiro Agnew hits three spectators.

1998 - 1,100 people are evacuated from their homes in Chippenham, Wiltshire, following the discovery of an unexploded 1,000lb German World War II bomb.

1998 - Temperatures hit 19.6 degrees Celsius in Worcestershire, making it the hottest February day ever recorded in Britain.

2001 - It is reported that entertainment channel E4 has pulled in as few as 12 viewers for some shows.