This week in history

Tizane Navea-Rogers delves into The Independent's archive to see which world events made the front page of our paper

- TIZANE NAVEA-ROGERS

A week of extremes plays out across the headlines. Thirty-eight people are killed when hurricane-force winds tear through Britain; the UK's most prolific serial killer, Harold Shipman, is finally jailed. In Washington, President Bill Clinton fights for his political survival, issuing a now-infamous denial that he "did not have sexual relations" with Monica Lewinsky. Beyond the world of scandals and storms, a milestone in technology arrives as Apple unveils the iPad, described by The Independent as the most eagerly awaited tablet "since Moses". And in sport, the "fairytale continues" as Roger Federer claims his 20th grand slam title aged 36 at the Australian Open. All are captured on our front pages...

1 February 1988 - SDP backs merger with Liberal Party

A new political party is born as the Social Democratic Party votes to back a merger with the Liberal Party, paving the way for the creation of the Liberal Democrats. The Independent reports mixed reactions among party faithful after what is described as a weekend of "rage and torment", reflecting deep divisions exposed during the debate leading up to the decision.

26 January 1990 - Deadly storm tears through Britain

Hurricane-force winds sweep across Britain, killing at least 38 people and leaving widespread destruction as buildings collapse, trees are torn from the ground and roofs ripped away. The Independent reports damage running into hundreds of millions of pounds as the storm cuts a deadly path from west to east. The death toll later rises to more than 40, prompting renewed scrutiny of weather warnings and emergency preparedness in the wake of one of the most severe storms of the decade.