1^st October 1870

The first official issue of the post card was made in Britain by the Post Office together with the introduction of the halfpenny postage stamp.

1^st October 1908

The first Model T Ford was introduced by Henry Ford.

1^st October 1974

American fast-food chain, McDonald's, opens its first British outlet in London.

1^st October 2000

Last commercial Hover Craft flight across the English Channel.

2^nd October 1925

The first of London's now traditional red buses - with roofed-in upper decks goes into service after the lifting of restrictions that had prevented such buses being used in the capital city.

3^rd October 1906

S.O.S. was established as an international distress signal.

3^rd October 1916

James Herriot (famous vet and author) was born.

3^rd October 1959

The Post Code required in addressing of mail for mechanical sorting was first used in Britain at Norwich.

3^rd October 1990

East and West Germany re-united and became one country.

4^th October 1905

Orville Wright became the first to fly an aircraft for over 33 minutes.

4^th October

St. Francis of Assissi's Saint's day. St. Francis died on this day in 1226. Prior to seeing a vision of Jesus and becoming a saint, Francis, a rich young man, had wasted his money in riotous living.

6^th October 1769

British explorer Captain James Cook, on board his ship the 'Endeavour' discovers New Zealand.

8^th October 1965

The Post Office Tower (now Telecom Tower) in Maple Street, London was opened.

10^th October 1886

Dinner jacket first worn.

10^th October 1881

In London, the Savoy Theatre, Britain's first public building to be lit by electricity, opens with a performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Patience'.

11^th October 1968

Apollo 7 was launched from Cape Kennedy, making it the first manned flight of the Command Module that would carry men to the moon.

11^th October 1982

The Mary Rose, Henry VIII's flag ship, was raised from its position on the bed of The Solent- 437 years after sinking while still in harbour.

12^th October

Columbus Day – USA.

12^th October

The first Morris Minor family car is built at Cowley in Oxford.

13^th October 1884

Greenwich Mean Time started.

14^th October 1066

The Battle of Hastings (or Battle of Senlac Hill) on the southern coast of England. An English army, commanded by King Harold, is defeated by the invasion force of William of Normandy. King Harold is killed and William'The Conqueror' is proclaimed King of England.

14^th October 1884

Photographic film patented.

14^th October 1926

Winnie-the-Pooh was first published. Written by A.A. Milne (1882-1956).

14^th October 1979

Sony invents the first Walkman, over 3 billion sold in the first 20 years.

16^th October 1834

The original Houses of Parliament in London are almost completely destroyed by fire.

16^th October 1958

Britain's most popular children's television programme 'Blue Peter' is first broadcast on BBC TV. The first presenters are Leila Williams and Christopher Trace.

18^th October

St. Luke’s Day. One of the four Gospel writer’s and patron saint of doctors.

20^th October 1966

The first message was sent between two computers in California, USA.

21^st October 1805

The Battle of Trafalgar. A British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar, fought off the coast of Spain. At the height of the engagement on October 21, Nelson was mortally wounded while pacing the quarterdeck of the HMS Victory. He died a few hours later, and his body was solemnly brought back to England for burial. In London, a column was erected to his memory in the newly named Trafalgar Square.

23^rd October 1642

The Battle of Edgehill between the Cavaliers and the Roundheads.

23^rd October

United Nations Day

25^th October

St Crispin's Day, Patron Saint of Shoemakers.

28^th October

Feast of St. Jude. Patron saint of ‘hopeless cases’.

31^st October

Halloween / All Hallows Eve.