October 17 – 35 years since the Great Storm of 1987

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The so-called Great Storm cost a total of 18 lives and an estimated £1billion worth of damage. Hundreds were injured while 15 million trees were destroyed and hundreds of thousands of homes suffered power cuts.

54 years ago (1968) Two black American athletes staged an anti-racism protest on the podium during the medal ceremony at the Mexico Olympics.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gold and bronze medallists in the 200metres, bowed their heads and raised a gloved fist as the American national anthem played.

42 years ago (1980) The Queen became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican where she held a private audience with Pope John Paul II and the pair exchanged gifts.

The visit was a welcome step towards closer relations between the Church of England and Roman Catholics.

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