On This Day...

5:01am Thursday 5th June 2008

5th June

1661 - Isaac Newton is admitted to Trinity College, Cambridge, as a student.

1783 - The first ascent by hot air balloon takes place. It lasts 10 minutes.

2000 - A report claims that almost 2,000 British soldiers deserted or went AWOL in 1999. It is the highest figure since National Service was abolished.

2000 - The man who found 52 stolen Oscar statuettes just days before the awards ceremony has $40,000 of his $50,000 reward money stolen from his apartment while he is on holiday.

2005 - The Iraqi government reveals that Saddam Hussein will face 12 charges when he goes to trial, despite a possible 500 cases against him. If convicted, Hussein will face the death penalty.

2005 - England's female football team win 3-2 against Finland in their opening European 2005 match.