BBC ON THIS DAY

1961: Belgian jet crashes seconds before landing

At least 73 people are killed when a Boeing 707 jet airliner crashes at Berg, near Brussels airport.

1971: D-Day delivers new UK currency
The British Government launches a new decimal currency across the country.

1989: Soviet troops pull out of Afghanistan
Soviet troops are withdrawing from Afghanistan, nine years after they invaded the country.

Japanese tanks one behind and one in front of fallen tree

1942: Singapore forced to surrender
British forces in Singapore surrender to the Japanese - seven days after enemy troops first stormed the island.

1952: King George VI is laid to rest
King George is buried at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle after a solemn procession through London.

1986: Printers and police clash in Wapping
Eight police officers are injured in the worst outbreak of violence yet outside the News International printing plant in Wapping, east London.

1996: Arms-to-Iraq report published
The long-awaited report into the sale of arms-to-Iraq in the 1980s is published and contains strong criticisms of the ministers involved.

Around this Day

12 February

Top Story1989: Belfast lawyer Finucane murdered

13 February

Top Story1991: US bombers strike civilians in Baghdad

14 February

Top Story1945: Thousands of bombs destroy Dresden

16 February

Top Story1959: Castro sworn in as Cuban PM

17 February

Top Story1979: China invades Vietnam

18 February