BITS OF HISTORY

1986: Seven astronauts died when the space shuttle Challenger exploded 72 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral.

2009: President Raul Castro began the first visit to Russia by a Cuban leader since the end of the Cold War. The last time a Cuban leader visited Russia was Fidel Castro's trip to Moscow in 1986.

2011: Nelson Mandela arrives home from hospital.

2016:  World Health Organisation announces outbreak of Zika Virus.