9th May

1671 - Adventurer Thomas Blood steals the crown jewels from the Tower of London.

1785 - Joseph Bramah patents the beer pump handle.

1932 - Neon lights are used to light the first flashing advertisements in the world, at Piccadilly Circus.

1940 - The RAF begins night bombing Germany.

2002 - Pepsi unveil its latest weapon in the cola wars - a bright blue version of the fizzy drink. The 'berry cola fusion' took nine months to develop and is launched to rival Coca-Cola's new vanilla version.

2002 - Bruce Willis sends 12,000 packets of biscuits to US troops in Afghanistan. He had been inspired by his daughters baking efforts for her Scout Troop.