Events That Happened On This Day In History

A tidal wave in Nicaragua killed 56 people and made thousands homeless

John Arlott the BBC cricketing commentator retired, after 35 years of broadcasting

J.R Tolkien, author of the popular 'Lord of the Rings', died

Lennox Lewis, European & Commonwealth heavyweight champion

Jimmy Connors, American tennis player

On board the aircraft carrier 'Missouri', in Tokyo Bay, General Douglas MacArthur accepted the Japanese surrender

Joe Simon, Soul singer

Rosalind Ashford, Of the group 'Martha And The Vandellas'

Glyn Worsnip , Radio and TV journalist

Michael Hastings, Playwright

Russ Conway, Popular pianist of the 50's

The Ottoman Empire began a general mobilisation

Henri Rousseau, the French painter, died

A fire in a bakery in Pudding Lane, spread to engulf 13,000 buildings; 'The Great Fire of London'