1815 The British, led by General Sir Edward Pakenham, were defeated at New Orleans in the last battle Britain fought against the US.

1935 Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, the survivor of twin boys.

1940 Sugar, bacon and butter were rationed in Britain.

1982 Spain ended its siege of Gibraltar and reopened the frontier. In return, Britain ended its opposition to Spain joining the EEC.

1989 A British Midland 737 crashed into an embankment alongside the M1 near Kegworth, Leicestershire, killing 47 people.

BIRTHDAYS Ron Moody, actor, 85; Dame Shirley Bassey, (pictured) singer, 72; Prof Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist/cosmologist and author, 67; David Bowie, rock singer, 62; John McTiernan, film director, 58; R Kelly, singer, 42.