1 January 1973 – The United Kingdom became a fully-fledged member of the European Economic Community

7 January 1990 – The Leaning Tower of Pisa was closed to the public for the first time in 800 years amid speculation the structure was on the verge of toppling over

8 January 1959 – General Charles de Gaulle was proclaimed the first President of the new Fifth Republic in France during a ceremony at the Elysée Palace in Paris

10 January 1957 – Harold Macmillan accepted the Queen’s invitation to become UK prime minister following the resignation of Sir Anthony Eden

17 January 1983 – Britain’s first breakfast news programme went on air at 0630 GMT, presented by Frank Bough, Selina Scott and Nick Ross

20 January 1961 – John F Kennedy was sworn in as the youngest ever elected president of the United States

31 January 1983 – Drivers and front seat passengers in Britain had to wear seatbelts under a new law which came into force on this day