In 1786, the first potato arrived in Britain, having been broughT from Colombia by Sir Thomas Harriot.

In 1858, fingerprints were used for the first time as a means of identification, by William Herschel.

In 1914, the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia, triggering the start of World War 1.

25 years ago

From the Telegraph & Argus of July 28th, 1979...

ADVERTISEMENT: ALHAMBRA Sunday, 9th September - THE DOOLEYS. 18th September (5 days) SALAD DAYS. Tuesday 2nd October HAMLET, starring Derek Jacobi. Wed. 31st. October( 4 days only ) KEN DODD. Sunday 4th November THE SPINNERS' 21st ANNIVERSARY CONCERT. Sunday 18th November FIVEPENNY PIECE. Week comm. 19th November SOOTY. 7th 8th December MIKE HARDING. PANTO! IT'S MAGIC ! Bill Maynard ( Selwyn Froggitt) in DICK WHITTINGTON and His Cat. Please ask for details,

50 years ago

From the Telegraph & Argus of July 28th, 1954...

The insured working population of Bradford, according to the lastest figures, was slightly higher last year than in 1952, but showed a drop of more than 7,000 on the 1951 figure. The quarterly report of the Bradford and District Employment Committee, which met today, states that the 1953 total was 147,854, against 155,153 in 1951. More than 50 per cent. of the total number of unemployed men in the city are aged 50 and over, and a fairly large proportion of these are disabled men whose employment opportunities are limited. The need to retain older workers and to remove age barriers in Bradford firms is being stressed.