24 August

On 24 August, 79, the Tenth Doctor caused Mount Vesuvius to erupt to kill the Pyrovile. The whole population of Pompeii was wiped out except for one family. (TV: The Fires of Pompeii) The Seventh Doctor and Melanie Bush were in the city at the time of the eruption but managed to escape unharmed. (AUDIO: The Fires of Vulcan)

On the same day, in 1572, another tragedy occurred. The First Doctor and Steven visited Paris just in time to witness the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre. (TV: The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve, PROSE: The Massacre)

Behind the scenes

 * 1911 - Actor Maurice Quick was born.
 * 1924 - Actor Jimmy Gardner was born.
 * 1932 - Actor William Morgan Sheppard was born.
 * 1962 - Actor Gordon Warnecke was born.
 * 1968 - Episode three of The Dominators was first broadcast on BBC1.