1st March

1610 - English mathematician, who introduced the division sign into Britain, John Pell is born.

1928 - Vitamin F is discovered.

1983 - British Leyland launches the Maestro.

1996 - A 3.2 Richter earthquake hits Shropshire.

1998 - 250,000 people march through London to protest at Parliament's bill to ban hunting with dogs.

2001 - Scientists reveal they can genetically modify orange trees to produce fruit within a year of being planted. Normally it takes 20 years.