BBC ON THIS DAY

1945: US drops atomic bomb on Hiroshima

The first atomic bomb is dropped by a United States aircraft on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

1961: Russian cosmonaut spends day in space
The Soviet Union astonishes the world by launching Major Gherman Titov into orbit for a whole day.

1995: Japan mourns Hiroshima anniversary
Up to 50,000 people attend a memorial service in the Japanese city of Hiroshima on the 50th anniversary of the first atomic bombing.

1987: David Owen resigns as leader of SDP
SDP leader Dr David Owen resigns after members of his party voted to merge with the Liberals.

Flotilla escorts Chay Blyth into harbour

1971: Sailor's record 'wrong way' voyage
A British man becomes the first to sail the world non-stop in the "wrong" direction - east to west - against the prevailing winds and currents.

Around this Day

3 August

Top Story2001: Car bomb in west London injures seven

4 August

Top Story1964: Three civil rights activists found dead

5 August

Top Story1973: Athens attack leaves three dead

7 August

Top Story1998: US embassies in Africa bombed

8 August

Top Story1991: Beirut hostage John McCarthy freed

9 August