BBC ON THIS DAY

1982: Solidarity leader Walesa released

The Polish government frees the leader of the outlawed Solidarity movement, Lech Walesa, after 11 months of internment.

1984: Quid notes out - pound coins in
The English pound note is to disappear after more than 150 years.

1954: New York's Ellis Island closes
New York's main immigration point, Ellis Island, shuts its doors after 62 years.

1980: Saturn's rings caught on film
Space probe Voyager 1 sends vivid images of the rings of Saturn across nearly a billion miles of space.

1997: 'Great Train Robber' escapes extradition again
The 'Great Train Robber', Ronnie Biggs, celebrates after Brazil rejects a British request to extradite him.

2001: Greece holds plane-spotting 'spies'
The Greek authorities are to carry out further inquiries in the case of 12 British plane-spotters being held on spying charges.

Around this Day

9 November

Top Story1985: America welcomes Charles and Diana

10 November

Top Story1995: Nigeria hangs human rights activists

11 November

Top Story2004: Veteran leader Yasser Arafat is dead

13 November

Top Story1985: Volcano kills thousands in Colombia

14 November

Top Story1991: US accuses Libyans of Lockerbie bombing

15 November