March 31: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.166 %
Standard deviation	1.066
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	151	21	2	329
Avg. % change	0.091%	0.742%	0.763%	-0.443%
Standard deviation % change	1.478	2.214	1.888	1.223
No. of times price has gone up	9	10	11	0
No. of times price has gone down	8	7	4	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
London shares end off lows as Wall St recovery provides some late cheer (AFP)
European stocks fall in early trading (AFP)
Bids for British stock exchange face competition probe delays (AFP)
Stocks End Higher on Economic Optimism (AP)
Chirac says EU fiscal reform won't affect euro's credibility (AFP)
Dollar Higher Against Yen in Asia Trading (AP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)

On this day
1957 End of rationing for diesel oil in the UK.

BBC - On This Day
1990: Violence flares in poll tax demonstration
An anti-poll tax rally in central London erupts into the worst riots in the city for a century.
1953: Queen Mary laid to rest in Windsor
More than 1,500 attend the funeral of Queen Mary at St George's Chapel in Windsor.
1959: Dalai Lama escapes to India
The spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama, crosses the border into India after an epic 15-day journey on foot over the Himalayan mountains.
1972: CND begins march to Aldermaston
More than 500 people attend a rally in London ahead of a four-day demonstration against nuclear arms.
1986: Outgoing London council pulls in crowds
Thousands of people take part in festivities to mark the historic final hours of 97 years of local rule in London.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 31

March 30: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.41 %
Standard deviation	1.021
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	6

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	230	179	270	321
Avg. % change	-0.052%	0.035%	-0.133%	-0.343%
Standard deviation % change	1.053	1.878	1.477	0.888
No. of times price has gone up	8	9	10	0
No. of times price has gone down	11	13	9	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks fall after poor Asia showing (AFP)
Bids for British stock exchange face competition probe delays (AFP)
Stocks End Higher on Economic Optimism (AP)
Chirac says EU fiscal reform won't affect euro's credibility (AFP)
Dollar Higher Against Yen in Asia Trading (AP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)

BBC - On This Day
1981: President Reagan is shot
President Ronald Reagan is shot and wounded when a lone gunman opens fire in Washington.
1979: Car bomb kills Airey Neave
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Airey Neave is killed by a car bomb as he leaves the House of Commons car park.
1951: Rosenbergs guilty of espionage
An American electrical engineer and his wife are found guilty by the Federal Court in New York of passing secrets about the atomic bomb to Russia.
2002: Queen Mother dies
Buckingham Palace announces that the Queen Mother has died peacefully in her sleep aged 101.
1992: John Major climbs onto his soapbox
Prime Minister John Major gets onto his soapbox to persuade Conservatives to come out and vote.
1978: Tories recruit advertisers to win votes
Saatchi &Saatchi gets the job of revamping the Conservative Party image ahead of the General Election.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 30

March 29: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.195 %
Standard deviation	0.811
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	6

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	292	272	283	254
Avg. % change	-0.165%	-0.203%	-0.168%	-0.122%
Standard deviation % change	0.74	1.375	1.152	0.592
No. of times price has gone up	7	8	6	1
No. of times price has gone down	9	12	11	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
Bids for British stock exchange face competition probe delays (AFP)
Stocks End Higher on Economic Optimism (AP)
Chirac says EU fiscal reform won't affect euro's credibility (AFP)
Dollar Higher Against Yen in Asia Trading (AP)
European stocks rise in early deals ahead of Easter weekend (AFP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)

On this day
1989 Michael Milken, junk bond king, indicted in New York for racketeering.

BBC - On This Day
1971: Calley guilty of My Lai massacre
Lieutenant William Calley is found guilty of murder at a court martial for his part in the My Lai massacre which claimed the lives of 500 South Vietnamese civilians.
1967: Bombs rain down on Torrey Canyon
The stricken oil supertanker, the Torrey Canyon, refuses to sink despite more than a day of heavy bombing by the RAF and the Royal Navy.
1971: Manson sent to gas chamber
Charles Manson and three members of his hippy cult are sentenced to death in Los Angeles.
1999: Hanratty family wins right to appeal
The case of James Hanratty is sent back to the Court of Appeal - 37 years after he was hanged for the notorious A6 murder in Bedfordshire.
1981: Triumph at first London Marathon
Thousands of people jog through the normally quiet Sunday streets of the capital to try and cross the finish line of the first ever London marathon.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 29

March 28: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.268 %
Standard deviation	0.792
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	248	351	193	201
Avg. % change	-0.087%	-0.747%	0.012%	-0.032%
Standard deviation % change	1.059	2.704	1.03	0.214
No. of times price has gone up	9	8	10	1
No. of times price has gone down	10	13	7	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
Chirac says EU fiscal reform won't affect euro's credibility (AFP)
Dollar Higher Against Yen in Asia Trading (AP)
European stocks rise in early deals ahead of Easter weekend (AFP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)
EU sees Wolfowitz as 'serious candidate'for World Bank job (AFP)
EU Leaders Endorse Looser Budget Pact (Reuters)

On this day
1979 The Three Mile Island disaster on this day was the first nuclear accident in US history. Following it, no new nuclear plants were built and many existing ones were shut down.

BBC - On This Day
1979: Nuclear leak causes alarm in America
Radioactive steam has leaked into the atmosphere at Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania prompting fears for the safety of the plant's 500 workers.
1991: Family anger at Hillsborough verdict
A jury returns a verdict of accidental death at the end of the inquest of 95 Liverpool football fans crushed to death in Sheffield.
1965: Thousands join Dr King in Alabama rally
Martin Luther King leads protests to the steps of the state capital of Montgomery in Alabama.
1979: Early election as Callaghan defeated
Prime Minister James Callaghan loses a parliamentary vote of confidence by a minority of one - forcing him to call an early general election.
1983: Macgregor named as coal boss
Ian Macgregor, leader of the British Steel Corporation is named as the new chairman of the National Coal Board.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 28

March 27: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.119 %
Standard deviation	1.087
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	211	318	299	299
Avg. % change	-0.021%	-0.4%	-0.234%	-0.24%
Standard deviation % change	1.61	3.93	2.366	0.757
No. of times price has gone up	9	14	9	1
No. of times price has gone down	8	7	9	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks rise in early deals ahead of Easter weekend (AFP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)
EU sees Wolfowitz as 'serious candidate'for World Bank job (AFP)
EU Leaders Endorse Looser Budget Pact (Reuters)
Highlights of the Amended Euro Zone Pact (AP)
EU leaders approve reform of budget pact (AFP)

On this day
1958 CBS Labs announced new stereophonic records.

BBC - On This Day
1977: Hundreds dead in runway collision
At least 560 people die when two jumbo jets collide on a runway in what is thought to be the world's worst disaster involving aircraft on the ground.
1980: North Sea platform collapses
At least 120 oil rig workers are feared dead as a North Sea accommodation platform collapses during gales.
1963: Railways to be slashed by a quarter
A far-reaching report giving the first full description of the state of the railways recommends the closure of large sections of the network.
1989: Millions of Russians go to the polls
Russian voters have gone to the polls - with early indications that many Communist candidates have been rejected by the electorate.
1994: Maiden flight for future fighter jet
The troubled European Fighter Aircraft makes its inaugural flight two years later than expected.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 27

March 26: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.341 %
Standard deviation	0.99
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	350	330	357	235
Avg. % change	-0.405%	-0.481%	-0.608%	-0.089%
Standard deviation % change	1.783	1.77	2.187	1.542
No. of times price has gone up	7	10	7	3
No. of times price has gone down	12	13	13	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks rise in early deals ahead of Easter weekend (AFP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
European stocks poised for a flat open (FT.com)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)
EU sees Wolfowitz as 'serious candidate'for World Bank job (AFP)
EU Leaders Endorse Looser Budget Pact (Reuters)
Highlights of the Amended Euro Zone Pact (AP)

On this day
1999 Dow Jones Industrial Average closes over 10,000 for the first time.
1973 Women are allowed on the trading floor of the London Stock Exchange for the first time.

BBC - On This Day
1979: Israel and Egypt shake hands on peace deal
In a ceremony at the White House, Israel and Egypt end 30 years of war with a handshake, after the signing of the Egypt-Israel peace treaty.
2000: Pope prays for Holocaust forgiveness
Pope John Paul II, visiting Jerusalem, has prayed for forgiveness for those involved in the Holocaust.
1981: 'Gang of four' launches new party
The Social Democrats launch their new political party pledging to 'reconcile the nation' and 'heal divisions between classes'.
1999: Record compensation for miners
Ex-miners suffering from lung diseases win the biggest industrial injuries case in British legal history.
1973: Stock Exchange admits women
Women are allowed on to the trading floor of the London Stock Exchange for the first time in the institution's 200 year history.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 26

March 25: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.081 %
Standard deviation	0.881
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	6

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	335	311	359	313
Avg. % change	-0.316%	-0.367%	-0.623%	-0.316%
Standard deviation % change	1.129	2.077	1.804	1.632
No. of times price has gone up	9	12	8	3
No. of times price has gone down	10	11	12	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks rise in early deals ahead of Easter weekend (AFP)
Dollar Strength Helps European Stocks (Reuters)
European stocks poised for a flat open (FT.com)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
European stocks heading for opening losses (FT.com)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)
EU sees Wolfowitz as 'serious candidate'for World Bank job (AFP)
EU Leaders Endorse Looser Budget Pact (Reuters)

On this day
1957 The Treaty of Rome, establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), was signed.

BBC - On This Day
1975: Saudi's King Faisal assassinated
King Faisal of Saudi Arabia has died after a gun attack despite the efforts of doctors to keep him alive.
1975: National Front rallies against Europe
Members of an extreme right-wing UK party, flanked by 2,000 police officers, march through north London protesting against integration with Europe.
1980: Britain will go to Moscow Olympics
The British Olympic Association votes by a large majority to defy government requests and send athletes to the Olympic Games in Moscow.
2000: Trimble narrowly wins leadership challenge
David Trimble narrowly beats off a challenge to his leadership of the Ulster Unionist Party.
1950: Ski jumpers soar over Hampstead Heath
Norway comes to North London for a ski-jumping competition complete with imported snow.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 25

March 24: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.38 %
Standard deviation	1.432
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	24	24	21	240
Avg. % change	0.434%	0.688%	0.484%	-0.105%
Standard deviation % change	1.562	2.563	1.79	1.23
No. of times price has gone up	10	11	10	1
No. of times price has gone down	9	10	9	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks steady in early deals ahead of Easter weekend (AFP)
European Shares Inch Up (Reuters)
European stocks poised for a flat open (FT.com)
EU rallies round France to head off constitution crisis (AFP)
EU in Tactical Retreat to Save French Referendum (Reuters)
German Business Confidence Dips in March (AP)
France, Germany Win Concessions at Summit (AP)
European stocks heading for opening losses (FT.com)
Schroeder: EU Gov'ts May Back Wolfowitz (AP)
EU sees Wolfowitz as 'serious candidate'for World Bank job (AFP)
EU Leaders Endorse Looser Budget Pact (Reuters)

On this day
1898 The first recorded sale of an automobile in the US.

BBC - On This Day
1989: Exxon Valdez creates oil slick disaster
An oil tanker, the Exxon Valdez, has run aground off the Alaskan coast, releasing crude oil into the sea.
1978: Wrecked tanker splits in two
Violent seas split the wreck of the Amoco Cadiz super tanker destroying any hopes of salvaging any remaining oil.
1953: Queen Mary dies peacefully after illness
Her Majesty, Queen Mary, has died peacefully in her sleep after a lengthy illness.
1981: Biggs rescued after kidnapping
Great Train robber Ronnie Biggs is rescued by Barbados police following his kidnapping.
1965: Millions watch space probe crash into Moon
Ranger 9 beams live pictures of the Moon to ordinary Americans as it hurtles down to crash on the surface.
1992: Punch ends 150 years of satire
Punch, Britain's oldest satirical magazine, is to close after suffering crippling losses of £1.5m a year.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 24

March 23: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.059 %
Standard deviation	0.861
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	4

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	115	32	203	72
Avg. % change	0.16%	0.588%	-0.007%	0.16%
Standard deviation % change	1.097	1.837	1.141	1.074
No. of times price has gone up	10	12	9	1
No. of times price has gone down	8	8	9	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
Euroshares Fall on Threat of Higher Rates (Reuters)
EU leaders, at Brussels summit, aiming to whip up economic growth (AFP)
European stocks heading for opening losses (FT.com)
EU Ministers Seen Moving to Back Wolfowitz (AP)
EU Loosens Budget Rules, Backtracks on Services (Reuters)
EU sees Wolfowitz as 'serious candidate'for World Bank job (AFP)
EU Leaders Endorse Looser Budget Pact (Reuters)
Highlights of the Amended Euro Zone Pact (AP)
EU leaders approve reform of budget pact (AFP)
EU Leaders Approve Changes in Euro Pact (AP)
London shares turn higher at the close (AFP)

On this day
1901 Dame Nellie Melba revealed the secret of her famous toast.

BBC - On This Day
1987: 30 hurt as car bomb hits Army base
More than 30 people are injured in a car bomb explosion at the UK Army headquarters in Rheindahlen, West Germany.
1983: Reagan launches Cold War into space
President Reagan has unveiled plans to combat nuclear war in space.
1981: New measures to contain farm disease
The government bans all animal transport to contain an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
1977: Government wins no confidence vote
The government survives a vote of "no confidence"in the House of Commons thanks to support from the Liberals.
1991: Tories launch 'citizen charter'
Failing public service providers will be forced to offer customers cash refunds or face government budget cuts, the Prime Minister announces.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 23

March 22: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.576 %
Standard deviation	1.28
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	100	29	79	272
Avg. % change	0.185%	0.61%	0.287%	-0.161%
Standard deviation % change	0.749	1.258	0.852	1.008
No. of times price has gone up	14	17	13	1
No. of times price has gone down	6	6	7	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European Stocks Up Led by Allianz (Reuters)
Britain in bid to postpone EU lift on China arms ban (AFP)
EU leaders gather for economy boosting summit (AFP)
ECB fears undermining of public finance confidence (FT.com)
ECB Concerned on Deficit Spending Rules (AP)
Central Bank Slams EU's New Budget Pact (Reuters)
Budget Deal Will Help Start EU Summit (AP)
Dollar Gains More Than a Cent on the Euro (AP)
EU hails accord to reform fiscal rules (AFP)
European stocks begin week on steady footing (AFP)
EU resolves fiscal row, seeks to relaunch growth (AFP)

On this day
1903 Niagara Falls ran out of water because of a drought.

BBC - On This Day
1963: Profumo denies affair with model
The Secretary of State for War, John Profumo, denies any impropriety with Christine Keeler.
1979: British ambassador assassinated in Holland
British ambassador in Holland Sir Richard Sykes is shot dead outside his Dutch home.
1956: King convicted for bus boycott
Civil rights leader, the Reverend Martin Luther King, has been convicted of organising an illegal boycott by black passengers of buses in the US state of Alabama.
1980: Schild family reunited with daughter
Teenager Annabel Schild is reunited with her mother after being released from seven months in captivity in Sardinia.
2002: Woman granted 'right to die'
A woman paralysed from the neck down wins the legal right to die by having her treatment withdrawn.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 22

March 21: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.038 %
Standard deviation	1.112
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	9
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	90	346	363	317
Avg. % change	0.198%	-0.656%	-0.731%	-0.335%
Standard deviation % change	2.408	2.004	2.052	0.759
No. of times price has gone up	9	11	9	0
No. of times price has gone down	10	11	11	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
EU strikes deal on reforming budget pact (AFP)
EU Eases Budget Pact as Germany Wins Waiver (Reuters)
EU Clears Hurdle on Euro Stability Reform (AP)
EU nations weigh new ideas to ease euro's stability rules (Canadian Press)
Portugal to seek EU aid to help farmers deal with severe drought (AFP)
FTSE 100 rises slightly, but off session highs (AFP)
Euroshares Perk Up as Oil Rally Pauses (Reuters)
European stocks ending week in positive territory (AFP)
Chancellor Schroeder seeks corporate tax cut to spur German economy (Canadian Press)
EU finds no evidence it funded Mideast violence (AFP)
EU's Barroso Comes Under Fire on Plans (AP)

On this day
1924 Mass Investors Trust became the first mutual fund set up in US.

BBC - On This Day
1960: Scores die in Sharpeville shoot-out
More than 50 Africans die and 169 are injured as police open fire in the South African township of Sharpeville.
1991: Heseltine unveils new property tax
The government has revealed plans for a new property tax in place of the controversial poll tax.
1999: Comedy genius Ernie Wise dies
One of Britain's most loved and most successful comedians, Ernie Wise, dies aged 73.
1984: EEC summit collapses over rebate row
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher comes under attack for the breakdown of negotiations at the European Economic Community common market summit in Brussels.
1963: Train drives itself
The first automatic train on the London underground could be hurtling into stations in three weeks, the government has revealed.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 21

March 20: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.173 %
Standard deviation	1.061
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

---

Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	19	14	15	191
Avg. % change	0.466%	0.882%	0.549%	-0.027%
Standard deviation % change	1.573	2.047	1.666	1.159
No. of times price has gone up	13	15	12	2
No. of times price has gone down	8	8	6	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
EU in crunch talks on budget pact ahead of summit (AFP)
Portugal to seek EU aid to help farmers deal with severe drought (AFP)
FTSE 100 rises slightly, but off session highs (AFP)
Euroshares Perk Up as Oil Rally Pauses (Reuters)
European stocks ending week in positive territory (AFP)
Chancellor Schroeder seeks corporate tax cut to spur German economy (Canadian Press)
EU finds no evidence it funded Mideast violence (AFP)
EU's Barroso Comes Under Fire on Plans (AP)
French Finance Chief Unveils Budget Plans (AP)
Britain set for 3.0-3.5 percent growth in 2005: finance minister (AFP)
EU ministers call for EU to help finance 320 bln euro housing repairs (AFP)

On this day
1992 first trading day of the newly privatised Forth Ports

BBC - On This Day
2003: US launches missiles against Saddam
American missiles hit the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, signalling the start of the US-led campaign to topple Saddam Hussein.
1993: Child killed in Warrington bomb attack
One boy is dead and more than 50 people are injured as two bombs explode in the centre of Warrington.
1989: Senior RUC men die in gun attack
Two senior RUC officers negotiating cross-border security co-operation in south Armagh are ambushed and shot dead by the IRA.
1974: Kidnap attempt on Princess Anne
Princess Anne and her husband Captain Mark Phillips escape an apparent kidnap attempt.
1966: Football's World Cup stolen
The football World Cup is stolen while on exhibition in London.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 20

March 19: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.153 %
Standard deviation	0.775
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	5
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	10

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	16	18	73	51
Avg. % change	0.509%	0.823%	0.292%	0.232%
Standard deviation % change	2.081	5.027	1.644	1.233
No. of times price has gone up	12	11	9	4
No. of times price has gone down	8	12	11	1

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
FTSE 100 rises slightly, but off session highs (AFP)
Euroshares Perk Up as Oil Rally Pauses (Reuters)
European stocks ending week in positive territory (AFP)
Chancellor Schroeder seeks corporate tax cut to spur German economy (Canadian Press)
EU finds no evidence it funded Mideast violence (AFP)
EU's Barroso Comes Under Fire on Plans (AP)
French Finance Chief Unveils Budget Plans (AP)
Britain set for 3.0-3.5 percent growth in 2005: finance minister (AFP)
EU ministers call for EU to help finance 320 bln euro housing repairs (AFP)
London shares close higher (AFP)
Both Sides Claim Victory in WTO Name Fight (AP)

BBC - On This Day
1976: Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon to split
Buckingham Palace announces that Princess Margaret will separate from Lord Snowdon after 16 years of marriage.
1982: Argentine flag hoisted on Falklands
A group of Argentines land at the British colony of the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic and plant their nation's flag.
1970: Willi and Willy meet in East Germany
Crowds of East Germans cheer West Germany's Chancellor Willy Brandt as he meets East Germany's leader Willi Stoph for the first time since the two countries were divided.
1992: Fergie and Andrew split
Buckingham Palace announces the Duke and Duchess of York are to separate due to irreconcilable differences.
1964: 'Ambitious' plans for south east
Three new cities are proposed for south east England as part of the largest regional expansion plan in Britain as the population is expected to boom by three million.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 19

March 18: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.005 %
Standard deviation	0.875
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	29	320	70	315
Avg. % change	0.407%	-0.427%	0.295%	-0.326%
Standard deviation % change	1.094	3.009	1.945	1.144
No. of times price has gone up	11	12	12	1
No. of times price has gone down	8	10	8	4

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
Chancellor Schroeder seeks corporate tax cut to spur German economy (Canadian Press)
EU finds no evidence it funded Mideast violence (AFP)
EU's Barroso Comes Under Fire on Plans (AP)
European stocks mixed amid record high oil prices (AFP)
Euroshares Flat as Insurers Offset Oils (Reuters)
FTSE 100 closes sharply lower (AFP)
French Finance Chief Unveils BudgetPlans (AP)
Britain set for 3.0-3.5 percent growth in 2005: finance minister (AFP)
Technology and oil weigh on equities (FT.com)
EU ministers call for EU to help finance 320 bln euro housing repairs (AFP)
London shares close higher (AFP)

On this day
1891 Britain was linked to the continent by telephone.

BBC - On This Day
1967: Supertanker Torrey Canyon hits rocks
The supertanker Torrey Canyon has run aground between Land's End and the Scilly Isles, leaking oil into the sea.
1979: Three die in Golborne mine blast
Three die and eight are seriously injured in an explosion at a colliery in Lancashire.
1974: Violent border clashes at Golan Heights
Two Israeli soldiers are killed and three others injured along the Golan Heights.
1992: South Africa votes for change
White South Africans back an overwhelming mandate for political reforms to end apartheid.
1950: Government falls as Belgians vote for king
The Belgian government collapses over a referendum on the return from exile of King Leopold III.
1982: Judge halts 'obscenity' trial
Charges of gross indecency brought by Mary Whitehouse against a National Theatre director end today after intervention by the Attorney-General.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 18

March 17: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.119 %
Standard deviation	1.208
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	6
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	8

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	365	363	361	164
Avg. % change	-0.661%	-1.064%	-0.673%	-0.005%
Standard deviation % change	2.085	3.416	2.938	0.515
No. of times price has gone up	7	7	7	3
No. of times price has gone down	13	16	11	2

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
FTSE 100 closes sharply lower (AFP)
French Finance Chief Unveils Budget Plans (AP)
Britain set for 3.0-3.5 percent growth in 2005: finance minister (AFP)
European shares slump on record oil prices and US trade gap, GM warning (AFP)
Technology and oil weigh on equities (FT.com)
EU ministers call for EU to help finance 320 bln euro housing repairs (AFP)
London shares close higher (AFP)
Both Sides Claim Victory in WTO Name Fight (AP)
German President Comments on Unemployment (AP)
Roche, Oils Lead European Shares Higher (Reuters)
ECB Chief Optimistic on Continuing Recovery (AP)

On this day
1845 Rubber band patented by Stephen Perry of London.

BBC - On This Day
1978: Civilians flee southern Lebanon
Thousands of Palestinian civilians flee a third day of Israeli attacks.
1957: BEA withdraws Viscount aircraft
British European Airways withdraws 25 Viscount 701s in the wake of the fatal Manchester aircrash.
1995: Killer Ronnie Kray dies
Notorious gangland killer Ronnie Kray dies in hospital two days after he collapses in his ward at Broadmoor.
1968: Anti-Vietnam demo turns violent
More than 200 people are arrested after thousands clash in an anti-Vietnam war protest outside the United States embassy in London.
1984: Boat race halted before starting
The 130th Boat Race is postponed less than an hour before it is due to start after the Cambridge vessel is involved in a collision.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 17

March 16: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.053 %
Standard deviation	1.147
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	5

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	263	249	257	61
Avg. % change	-0.11%	-0.152%	-0.109%	0.201%
Standard deviation % change	1.252	1.566	1.533	0.712
No. of times price has gone up	8	10	9	2
No. of times price has gone down	11	11	9	1

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
Technology and oil weigh on equities (FT.com)
EU ministers call for EU to help finance 320 bln euro housing repairs (AFP)
London shares close higher (AFP)
Both Sides Claim Victory in WTO Name Fight (AP)
European stocks higher in afternoon deals (AFP)
German President Comments on Unemployment (AP)
Roche, Oils Lead European Shares Higher (Reuters)
ECB Chief Optimistic on Continuing Recovery (AP)
EU: Europeans Generally Love the Euro (AP)
EU stability pact reform is necessary, accord not assured: Almunia (AFP)
US not discouraged by Iran's rejection of anti-nuke incentives (AFP)

On this day
1961 Jaguar Cars Ltd introduced the XK-E, or E-Type, at the Geneva Auto Show.

BBC - On This Day
1988: Three shot dead at Milltown Cemetery
A gunman kills three mourners and injures at least 50 people attending a funeral for IRA members shot dead in Gibraltar.
1978: Aldo Moro snatched at gunpoint
Former Italian premier Aldo Moro has been kidnapped at gunpoint in Rome by a gang who are believed to be from the Red Brigade.
1976: Prime Minister Harold Wilson resigns
Harold Wilson, Labour leader for 13 years and Prime Minister for almost eight, announces his resignation to a shocked nation.
1953: Marshal Tito makes historic visit to London
Marshal Josef Tito of Yugoslavia has arrived in Britain, the first Communist head of state to visit the country.
2001: Teenage woman guilty of rape
An 18-year-old woman is convicted of rape after a horrific sex attack.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 16

March 15: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.098 %
Standard deviation	0.895
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	7
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	282	233	242	78
Avg. % change	-0.145%	-0.115%	-0.082%	0.143%
Standard deviation % change	0.858	1.201	0.914	0.449
No. of times price has gone up	9	10	11	3
No. of times price has gone down	11	12	7	1

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
Roche, Oils Lead European Shares Higher (Reuters)
ECB Chief Optimistic on Continuing Recovery (AP)
EU: Europeans Generally Love the Euro (AP)
European stocks subdued in afternoon deals (AFP)
EU stability pact reform is necessary, accord not assured: Almunia (AFP)
US not discouraged by Iran's rejection of anti-nuke incentives (AFP)
Germany Wants to Reduce EU Contributions (AP)
EU economic credibility at risk in fresh reform push (AFP)
Italy's deficit will exceed three percent limit: Prodi (AFP)
US, EU Launch Joint Carrot-And-Stick Iran Strategy (Reuters)
London Shares Are Higher (AP)

On this day
1988 Budget reduces top income tax rate from 60% to 40%.
2002 Energis and Thus, both formerly FTSE100 constituents, were demoted from the FTSE 250 to the FTSE SmallCap index.

BBC - On This Day
1990: Observer journalist executed in Iraq
Iraqi authorities execute The Observer journalist Farzad Bazoft in Baghdad bringing strong condemnation from Britain.
1976: Tube driver shot dead
The driver of a London Underground train is shot dead as he chases a gunman after a bomb exploded on his train.
1981: Pakistani jet hostages released
The passengers and crew of a Pakistan Airways plane held hostage for nearly two weeks have been released in Syria.
1974: Architect jailed over corruption
Architect John Poulson has been jailed for five years for bribing public figures to win contracts.
1962: Liberals seize Orpington
The Liberals get their first by-election victory for four years, seizing Orpington from the government.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 15

March 14: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.76 %
Standard deviation	1.102
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	2
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	12

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	303	359	231	250
Avg. % change	-0.207%	-0.928%	-0.06%	-0.114%
Standard deviation % change	1.181	3.514	0.963	0.827
No. of times price has gone up	10	12	11	2
No. of times price has gone down	11	11	9	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European stocks mixed in early deals (AFP)
US not discouraged by Iran's rejection of anti-nuke incentives (AFP)
Germany Wants to Reduce EU Contributions (AP)
EU economic credibility at risk in fresh reform push (AFP)
Italy's deficit will exceed three percent limit: Prodi (AFP)
US, EU Launch Joint Carrot-And-Stick Iran Strategy (Reuters)
London Shares Are Higher (AP)
Intel, Oil Price Retreat Cheer Eurostocks (Reuters)
U.S. in Shift to Back EU on Iran Incentives (Reuters)
Shares slide, weighed down by weak oil and mining stocks (AFP)
Bank of England leaves key rate at 4.75 percent (AFP)

On this day
2000 Oil giant BP Amoco agreed to buy Burmah Castrol for £3bn.
2000 Shares in Lastminute.com soared 40% on their first day of trading on the LSE to close at 487.5p (giving the stock a market cap of £750m).

BBC - On This Day
1991: Birmingham Six freed after 16 years
The Birmingham Six walk free from jail after their convictions for the murder of 21 people in two pubs are quashed by the Court of Appeal.
1984: Sinn Fein leader shot in street attack
Gunmen shoot and injure the Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, in an attack in central Belfast.
1964: Jack Ruby sentenced to death
Jack Ruby has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald.
1960: Radio telescope makes space history
The radio telescope at Jodrell Bank sets a new space record making contact with the American Pioneer V satellite at a distance of 407,000 miles.
1958: 'Bonny' Prince Albert of Monaco born
A celebratory 101-gun salute has been fired in Monaco after Princess Grace - formerly film star Grace Kelly - gave birth to a son.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 14

March 14: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	0.76 %
Standard deviation	1.102
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	2
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	12

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	303	359	231	250
Avg. % change	-0.207%	-0.928%	-0.06%	-0.114%
Standard deviation % change	1.181	3.514	0.963	0.827
No. of times price has gone up	10	12	11	2
No. of times price has gone down	11	11	9	3

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

---

Yahoo European Business
European stocks mixed in early deals (AFP)
US not discouraged by Iran's rejection of anti-nuke incentives (AFP)
Germany Wants to Reduce EU Contributions (AP)
EU economic credibility at risk in fresh reform push (AFP)
Italy's deficit will exceed three percent limit: Prodi (AFP)
US, EU Launch Joint Carrot-And-Stick Iran Strategy (Reuters)
London Shares Are Higher (AP)
Intel, Oil Price Retreat Cheer Eurostocks (Reuters)
U.S. in Shift to Back EU on Iran Incentives (Reuters)
Shares slide, weighed down by weak oil and mining stocks (AFP)
Bank of England leaves key rate at 4.75 percent (AFP)

On this day
2000 Oil giant BP Amoco agreed to buy Burmah Castrol for £3bn.
2000 Shares in Lastminute.com soared 40% on their first day of trading on the LSE to close at 487.5p (giving the stock a market cap of £750m).

BBC - On This Day
1991: Birmingham Six freed after 16 years
The Birmingham Six walk free from jail after their convictions for the murder of 21 people in two pubs are quashed by the Court of Appeal.
1984: Sinn Fein leader shot in street attack
Gunmen shoot and injure the Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, in an attack in central Belfast.
1964: Jack Ruby sentenced to death
Jack Ruby has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald.
1960: Radio telescope makes space history
The radio telescope at Jodrell Bank sets a new space record making contact with the American Pioneer V satellite at a distance of 407,000 miles.
1958: 'Bonny' Prince Albert of Monaco born
A celebratory 101-gun salute has been fired in Monaco after Princess Grace - formerly film star Grace Kelly - gave birth to a son.

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 14

March 11: FTSE100 Performance Analysis For This Day

Average percentage change for this day	-0.313 %
Standard deviation	1.073
No. of times the FTSE has gone down today since 1984	8
No. of times FTSE has gone up today since 1984	7

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Metals data for today

	Gold	Silver	Platinum	Paladium
Day ranking (out of 365)	342	186	211	15
Avg. % change	-0.347%	0.017%	-0.018%	0.48%
Standard deviation % change	1.001	2.323	1.387	1.343
No. of times price has gone up	9	12	10	5
No. of times price has gone down	10	11	8	0

Gold:since 1970, Silver : 1970, Platinum: 1976, Paladium: 1996

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Yahoo European Business
European Shares Boosted by Techs (Reuters)
U.S. in Shift to Back EU on Iran Incentives (Reuters)
Shares slide, weighed down by weak oil and mining stocks (AFP)
Bank of England leaves key rate at 4.75 percent (AFP)
Schroeder to Consider Economic Action (AP)
Bank of England Keeps Key Rate Steady (AP)
European stocks fall after Wall Street hammered by rising oil prices (AFP)
Officials Discuss EU's Economic Plan (AP)
EU warning as talks on budget rules fail (AFP)
With two weeks to deadline, EU countries deadlocked on euro rules reform (Canadian Press)
Brown warns against leaving EU fiscal rules unchanged (AFP)

On this day
1991 first trading day of the newly privatised International Power
1991 first trading day of the newly privatised PowerGen

BBC - On This Day
2004: 170 die as bombs destroy Madrid trains
At least 170 people are killed after powerful explosions tear through three Madrid train stations during the morning rush-hour.
1985: Gorbachev becomes Soviet leader
There is a new man in charge at the Kremlin - Mikhail Gorbachev takes over following the death of Konstantin Chernenko.
1955: Farewell to scientist who discovered penicillin
Sir Alexander Fleming - the man who first discovered the life-saving drug penicillin - dies of a heart attack.
1977: Roman Polanski charged with rape
French film director Roman Polanski is charged with raping a 13-year-old girl in Hollywood.
1974: 'Anti-IRA spies' break out of jail
Two self-proclaimed British Government spies have escaped from a top-security prison in Ireland where they were serving sentences for armed robbery.
2001: Big rise in new cases of foot-and-mouth
It is the worst day for new foot-and-mouth cases since the disease was first diagnosed two weeks ago

Wikipedia On This Day
Wikipedia entry for March 11