In 1926, 600 people were reported dead after the French bombarded Damascus in Syria during a rebellion.

In 1939, MPs debated the Soviet offer of a treaty with Britain and France.

In 1947, the House of Lords attacked a plan for a power station at Bankside, opposite St Paul's.

25 years ago

Taken from the Telegraph & Argus of May 19, 1981...The Home Office has firmly quashed a rumour that convicted child murderer Myra Hindley has been freed from prison and is living in Bradford under an assumed name. Lord Longford, a peer who befriended Hindley, told the Telegraph & Argus that she was still in prison.

50 years ago

Taken from the Telegraph & Argus of May 19, 1956...Numbers attending the annual Otley show were slightly down this year thanks to the event falling for the first time on Whit Sunday. Cattle and sheep events drew more visitors than last year, with smaller numbers in some of the fanciers' sections.