FACTBOX: Biggest falls in FTSE's history

(Reuters) - European finance ministers voiced concern on Tuesday as stock markets, spooked by fear of a recession, bled for a second day with scant regard for assurances that Europe would weather a storm blowing from the United States.

The ministers were speaking before the U.S. Federal Reserve slashed its benchmark interest rate by 75 basis points. The surprise move reversed earlier losses in European stocks, with the FTSEurofirst 300 up 2.1 percent at 1631 GMT and Britain's FTSE 100 adding 2.9 percent.

Following is a list of the biggest falls in the FTSE 100 or its equivalent since 1935:

Mar 16, 1938 - Britain's top index falls by 5.4 percent in the wake of fears of war and rising taxes.

Sept 26, 1938 - The top index swings lower by 5.4 percent as tensions over diplomacy which will lead up to World War Two affects the markets.

May 28, 1962 - The top index falls by 6.4 percent following the U.S. steel industry's woes.

Dec 6, 1973 - Britain's top index registers 5.5 percent fall as oil shock affects global markets with rising prices.

Dec 14, 1973 - The top index falls by 5.4 percent as markets continue to move downward in the wake of oil price rises following war in the Middle East.

Mar 1, 1974 - Markets react adversely to Labour election win, registering a deep fall at 7.3 percent.