7th May

1945 - The remaining German forces surrender.

1987 - The Monster Raving Loony Party gains its first local government seat in Ashburton, Devon. Loony policies included the privatisation of hot air from the House of Commons to heat half the homes in Britain. In 1996 odds of 15 million to one are offered on Screaming Lord Sutch becoming Prime Minister. These are greater odds than for Elvis crashing a UFO into the Loch Ness Monster.

1988 - The first gathering of alien abductees takes place in Boston.

1996 - Rugby Union becomes a professional sport in Britain.

1998 - A referendum is held in London on the issue of a London Mayor. 72% of voters supported the idea, although only 34% of people voted.

2002 - A Japanese businessman offers £180,000 for a Jimi Hendrix guitar found in an attic.