Mount Vesuvius erupts and covers Pompeii with a 5 metre deep blanket of lava and ash. The city was only discovered accidentally 1592. The deadly quilt protected Pompeii against the tooth of time, and the town became an important source of information about life in Roman times. Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy.

In 1899 in Argentina writer and translator Jorge Luis Borges is born.

In 1929 in Jerusalem, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is born. In 1994 along with Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres he received the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1947 Brazil was born writer Paulo Coelho. His book, Veronika Decides to Die is unwinds in Ljubljana, otherwise it is best known for his novel The Alchemist.

In 1958 American actor and comedian Steve Guttenberg is born. He became well known after a series of starring roles in films Three Men and a Baby and Police Academy.

In 1991 after a failed coup against him Mikhail Gorbačov resigns as leader of the Soviet Union.

In 1995 the sale begins of Microsoft Windows 95.

MUSIC HISTORY
1974 - Paul Anka and Odia Coates take the top spot on the American charts with 'You're Having My Baby'.

1975 - Queen begins to record 'Bohemian Rhapsody', the recording took three weeks.

1985 - Huey Lewis and The News are Npo.1 on the American charts with 'The Power Of Love'.

1991 - Lenny Kravitz takes the top spot on the American charts with 'It Ain't Over Till It's Over'.

BORN ON THIS DAY
1945 - Ken Hensley, a guitarist, singer and producer best known for his work with Uriah Heep during the 1970s.