This Day In History

What's happened before on this date? Courtesy of BBC.

1 August 2010

1976: Lauda fights for life after Grand Prix crash

F1 racing driver Niki Lauda is in a critical condition in hospital after crashing at the German Grand Prix. read more

1944: Uprising to free Warsaw begins

The Polish Underground Army begins battle to liberate Warsaw, the first European city to fall to the Germans. read more

1971: Apollo 15 finds rock from birth of Moon

Astronauts uncover a rock which may date back to the origin of the Moon. read more

1994: Library fire wipes out historic records

Thousands of historic documents and more than 100,000 books are destroyed in a blaze which ripped through Norwich Central Library early today. read more

1989: Britain's oldest person turns 112

Charlotte Marion Hughes from Cleveland celebrates her birthday - and enters the record books. read more

2001: Boy 'held prisoner for eight years'

Officers from Scotland Yard's Child Protection Team are investigating a boy's claims he was held captive in his own home for eight years. read more