15th February

1564 - Scientist who established laws governing weight and gravity, Galileo is born.

1907 - James Thompson gets out of bed after 29 years. Doctors claim he suffered from lethargy and attempted to rouse him with electric shocks and irritating plasters.

1954 - Creator of The Simpsons', Matt Groening is born.

1998 - The operation to erect the 165ft Angel of the North begins in Gateshead.

2001 - David Morris jumps out of a helicopter at 10,000 feet and lands on top of a hot air balloon at 5,000 feet. He breaks the British record for the highest parachute landing and the world record for the highest interrupted parachute descent.

2003 - An estimated one million anti-war protesters march in London. It is thought to be the biggest public demonstration ever held in Britain.