BBC Archive

#OnThisDay 1984: Reporter Maggie Nelson visited the Thames Barrier ahead of its formal opening which was due to take place the following week. Whilst the flood barrier had been operational since 1982, engineers were performing final checks before its official royal opening.

#OnThisDay 1981: Experienced science broadcaster but novice hairdresser, Judith Hann tried out a new piece of technology at a Norwich hairdressing salon. The computer system gathered client information to help hairdressers deliver the perfect treatments.

As athletes gather in England's capital city, we look back to 1981 when the first ever official London Marathon took place. A few days before the event, Blue Peter showed off some of the technology which would keep track of the 7,500 runners taking part.

#OnThisDay 1985: Whistle Test looked at the boom in pop merchandise where bands were selling nearly as many t-shirts as records. Also on hand to give his in-depth analysis of the band mech industry was Paul Morley of ZZT Records.

From childhood favourite ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’, to the sleepless night inducing ‘Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep’, these were some of the most popular children’s books in a Birmingham library in 1980.

#OnThisDay 1965: The island of Foulness in Essex was in the spotlight when reporter Cathal O’Shannon applied for a permit to visit. The island has been used by the British Army since the 1800s but is also home to a small civilian population.

1984: Do you hate Mondays? In April 1984 Breakfast Time took to the streets of London to tackle an age old debate – is Monday really the worst day of the week?

#OnThisDay 1990: A new continuing drama set in Twin Peaks, a fictional town in Washington State, premiered in America. The Late Show looked at the appeal of this groundbreaking series and spoke to its co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost.

Since 1770 the village of Hallaton has had an annual Easter Monday battle with locals from the neighbouring village of Medbourne. The day starts with Hare Pie-Scrambling where pieces of pie are blessed and thrown into the crowd, followed by a sport with few rules; Bottle-Kicking.

It’s the day when hot cross buns are traditionally eaten but what do you do if you suddenly find yourself with a quarter of a million of them on your hands? When a supermarket cancelled its order, one man found himself trying to sell mountains of the buns in just three days.

#OnThisDay 1985: Regional youth programme RPM celebrated the 25th anniversary of Dr Martens boots by inviting DM wearers Alexei Sayle and musician Paul King to reflect back on the cultural impact of this iconic footwear brand. Other sturdy footwear is available.

#OnThisDay 1973: Shoppers were out in force buying expensive household items before the introduction of VAT (Value Added Tax) which began the following day. Cookers and freezers were proving popular but there had also been a run on pianos with one store having sold 170 in a week.

#OnThisDay 1970: With no mains drainage, the Scottish village of Auchmithie was a place where most residents didn’t have their own toilet and relied on a drafty communal privy. A brand-new public convenience was built, with keys for the villagers to do their business in peace.

#OnThisday in 1986 Blue Peter presenters Simon Groom and Janet Ellis showed off a 70-metre wooden replica of the Bayeux Tapestry made over eight years from solid oak. Taking up 22 wooden panels, the carving by Pierre Bataille was so big it didn’t fit into the Blue Peter studio.

#OnThisDay 1935: Voluntary driving tests were introduced by the UK government, with mandatory tests enforced later that year. Quite how you learnt was up to you and in 1960 BBC News showed a car simulator which allowed learners get a feel for the road from the safety of indoors.

With the Six Nations rugby competition drawing to its conclusion, we take a trip back to 1994 when Blue Peter presenter Tim Vincent had a crash course in all aspects of the game from members of the England team.

@BBCiPlayer The episodes were found through the work of Leicester charitable trust @FilmIsFabulous (FIF). Read more about how they were found: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

Lost #DoctorWho episodes, that haven't been viewed since airing in the 1960s, have been found in an 'eclectic' collection. Restored versions of the episodes will be released on @BBCiPlayer this Easter: bbc.co.uk/news/articles/…

#OnThisDay in 1976 Bernard Falk spoke to Chelmsford's very own birdman. Tony Appleton was hoping to secure a £6,000 prize for becoming the first man on earth to fly under his own steam, but his current personal best was 4 metres.

It’s one of the most recognisable front doors in the world and #OnThisDay in 1974 reporter Patrick Stenson went out at the crack of dawn to see some of the people whose work takes them to this very famous address.