On this day

[Richard Frost]

A selection of Birthdays

1525 Steven Borough, English explorer, born in Northam, Devon, (d. 1584)
1694 Henry Pelham, British Prime Minister (Whig: 1743-54) who introduced the Gin Acts, born in Laughton, East Sussex (d. 1754)
1764 Fletcher Christian, English sailor who led the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, born in Eaglesfield, Cumberland, (d. ~1790-93)
1782 Charles Robert Maturin, Irish playwright and novelist, born in Dublin, (d. 1824)
1785 George Pinto [Sanders], British violin prodigy, keyboard virtuoso, and composer,, born in Lambeth, South London (d. 1806)
1793 Felicia Dorothea Hemans, English poet, born in Liverpool, (d. 1835)
1829 William Michael Rossetti, English writer and civil servant, born in London, (d. 1919)
1835 Harry Wright, English Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder and manager (established baseball's first fully professional team, Cincinnati Red Stockings 1869), born in Sheffield, (d. 1895)
1872 Charles Blake Cochran, English theatrical manager and impresario, born in Sussex, (d. 1951)
1889 G. D. H. Cole, English political theorist and socialist, born in Cambridge, (d. 1959)
1889 C. K. Scott-Moncrieff, Scottish writer and translator, born in Stirlingshire, (d. 1930)
1906 Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer (The Gadfly), born in St Petersburg, (d. 1975)
1906 Phyllis Pearsall, British painter and writer (A to Z Map Company), born in London (d. 1996)
1913 David Hunt, British diplomat winner of the BBC's Mastermind television quiz (1977), born in Durham, (d. 1998)
1924 Norman Ayrton, actor and opera director (Royal Shakespearean Acad - UK), born London (d. 2017)
1925 William Mitchell, British physicist, born in Kingsbridge, Devon (d. 2002)
1927 Colin Davis, English conductor (NY Met 1967-71), born in Weybridge, Surrey (d. 2013)
1929 Ronnie Barker, English comedian (The Two Ronnies, Porridge), born in Bedford(d. 2005)
1931 Patric Walker, American-British astrologer, born in Hackensack, New Jersey (d. 1995)
1932 Andrew Gardner, British newscaster (News at Ten), born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire (d. 1999)
1932 Terry Medwin, Welsh footballer (Tottenham Hotspur), born in Swansea, GlamorgaN
1934 Struther Arnott, Scottish molecular biologist and chemist (cancer research), born in Larkhall, Lanarkshire (d. 2013)
1936 Edward Jones, British Army officer (UK Military Representative to NATO in Brussels), born in Altrincham, Cheshire
1938 Ron Hill MBE, British athlete (Boston Marathon 1970; C'wealth Games marathon gold 1970), born in Accrington, (d. 2021)
1939 Leon Brittan, British politician, Home Secretary and member of the European Commission, born in London (d. 2015)
1940 Tim Severin, British author and explorer who replicated historic voyages, born in Assam, British India (d. 2020)
1942 John Taylor, British jazz pianist, born in Manchester
1945 Onnie McIntyre, Scottish guitarist (Average White Band - "Pick Up The Pieces"), born in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire
1946 Felicity Kendal, English actress (Shakespeare Wallah, The Good Life), born in Olton, W. Midlands
1947 John Fiddler, English rock vocalist and guitarist (British Lions), born in Darlaston, Wednesbury,
1951 Mark Hamill, American actor (Luke Skywalker-Star Wars), born in Oakland, California
1952 Christopher Reeve, American actor (Superman, Somewhere in Time), born in New York City, New York (d. 2004)
1953 Richard Harvey, British musician and composer (Gryphon), born in London
1955 Steven Severin {Bailey], British pop bassist (Siouxsie & Banshees), born in Highgate, London,
1957 Ian Reddington, English actor (Chief Clown-Doctor Who), born in Walkley, Sheffield
1958 Michael Madsen, American actor (Reservoir Dogs, Straight Talk), born in Chicago, Illinois
1958 Eamonn Healy, Irish professor of chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, born in Newcastle West, Ireland
1960 John Hills, British racehorse trainer (d. 2014)
1962 Chris Sheldon, British record producer (Foo Fighters, Pixies, Garbage), born in Karachi, Pakistan
1964 Gary Ayles, British racing driver
1964 Maria Doyle Kennedy, Irish actress and singer, born in Clontarf
1968 Will Smith, American rapper ("Parents Just Don't Understand") and actor (Men in Black, Independence Day, Fresh Prince of Bel Air), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1969 Catherine Zeta-Jones, Welsh actress (Chicago, The Terminal, The Legend of Zorro), born in Swansea
1975 Declan Donnelly, English television presenter (Ant and Dec), born in Newcastle upon Tyne,
1975 Daniel Hyde, British actor (Hollyoaks), born in London
1978 Jodie Kidd, English model, born in Guildford

On this day in British History

[Richard Frost]

A selection of Birthdays

1525 Steven Borough, English explorer, born in Northam, Devon, (d. 1584)
1694 Henry Pelham, British Prime Minister (Whig: 1743-54) who introduced the Gin Acts, born in Laughton, East Sussex (d. 1754)
1764 Fletcher Christian, English sailor who led the mutiny on the HMS Bounty, born in Eaglesfield, Cumberland, (d. ~1790-93)
1782 Charles Robert Maturin, Irish playwright and novelist, born in Dublin, (d. 1824)
1785 George Pinto [Sanders], British violin prodigy, keyboard virtuoso, and composer,, born in Lambeth, South London (d. 1806)
1793 Felicia Dorothea Hemans, English poet, born in Liverpool, (d. 1835)
1829 William Michael Rossetti, English writer and civil servant, born in London, (d. 1919)
1835 Harry Wright, English Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder and manager (established baseball's first fully professional team, Cincinnati Red Stockings 1869), born in Sheffield, (d. 1895)
1872 Charles Blake Cochran, English theatrical manager and impresario, born in Sussex, (d. 1951)
1889 G. D. H. Cole, English political theorist and socialist, born in Cambridge, (d. 1959)
1889 C. K. Scott-Moncrieff, Scottish writer and translator, born in Stirlingshire, (d. 1930)
1906 Dmitri Shostakovich, Russian composer (The Gadfly), born in St Petersburg, (d. 1975)
1906 Phyllis Pearsall, British painter and writer (A to Z Map Company), born in London (d. 1996)
1913 David Hunt, British diplomat winner of the BBC's Mastermind television quiz (1977), born in Durham, (d. 1998)
1924 Norman Ayrton, actor and opera director (Royal Shakespearean Acad - UK), born London (d. 2017)
1925 William Mitchell, British physicist, born in Kingsbridge, Devon (d. 2002)
1927 Colin Davis, English conductor (NY Met 1967-71), born in Weybridge, Surrey (d. 2013)
1929 Ronnie Barker, English comedian (The Two Ronnies, Porridge), born in Bedford(d. 2005)
1931 Patric Walker, American-British astrologer, born in Hackensack, New Jersey (d. 1995)
1932 Andrew Gardner, British newscaster (News at Ten), born in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire (d. 1999)
1932 Terry Medwin, Welsh footballer (Tottenham Hotspur), born in Swansea, Glamorgan
1934 Struther Arnott, Scottish molecular biologist and chemist (cancer research), born in Larkhall, Lanarkshire (d. 2013)
1936 Edward Jones, British Army officer (UK Military Representative to NATO in Brussels), born in Altrincham, Cheshire
1938 Ron Hill MBE, British athlete (Boston Marathon 1970; C'wealth Games marathon gold 1970), born in Accrington, (d. 2021)
1939 Leon Brittan, British politician, Home Secretary and member of the European Commission, born in London (d. 2015)
1940 Tim Severin, British author and explorer who replicated historic voyages, born in Assam, British India (d. 2020)
1942 John Taylor, British jazz pianist, born in Manchester
1945 Onnie McIntyre, Scottish guitarist (Average White Band - "Pick Up The Pieces"), born in Lennoxtown, East Dunbartonshire
1946 Felicity Kendal, English actress (Shakespeare Wallah, The Good Life), born in Olton, W. Midlands
1947 John Fiddler, English rock vocalist and guitarist (British Lions), born in Darlaston, Wednesbury,
1951 Mark Hamill, American actor (Luke Skywalker-Star Wars), born in Oakland, California
1952 Christopher Reeve, American actor (Superman, Somewhere in Time), born in New York City, New York (d. 2004)
1953 Richard Harvey, British musician and composer (Gryphon), born in London
1955 Steven Severin {Bailey], British pop bassist (Siouxsie & Banshees), born in Highgate, London,
1957 Ian Reddington, English actor (Chief Clown-Doctor Who), born in Walkley, Sheffield
1958 Michael Madsen, American actor (Reservoir Dogs, Straight Talk), born in Chicago, Illinois
1958 Eamonn Healy, Irish professor of chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry at St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas, born in Newcastle West, Ireland
1960 John Hills, British racehorse trainer (d. 2014)
1962 Chris Sheldon, British record producer (Foo Fighters, Pixies, Garbage), born in Karachi, Pakistan
1964 Gary Ayles, British racing driver
1964 Maria Doyle Kennedy, Irish actress and singer, born in Clontarf
1968 Will Smith, American rapper ("Parents Just Don't Understand") and actor (Men in Black, Independence Day, Fresh Prince of Bel Air), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1969 Catherine Zeta-Jones, Welsh actress (Chicago, The Terminal, The Legend of Zorro), born in Swansea
1975 Declan Donnelly, English television presenter (Ant and Dec), born in Newcastle upon Tyne,
1975 Daniel Hyde, British actor (Hollyoaks), born in London
1978 Jodie Kidd, English model, born in Guildford

On this day in British History

1066 Battle of Stamford Bridge: English army under King Harold II defeat invading Norwegians led by King Harald Hardrada and Harold's brother Tostig, who were both killed
1340 England & France sign disarmament treaty
1654 England & Denmark sign trade agreement
1780 Benedict Arnold joins the British
1878 British physician Dr. Charles Drysdale warns against the use of tobacco in a letter to The Times newspaper in one of the earliest public health announcements on the dangers of smoking
1897 1st British bus service opens
1915 Battle of Loos commenced, lasted until 14th October. Chlorine gas deployed by the British was blown back into their own trenches: 59,000 British & 26,000 German casualties
1944 Operation Market Garden ends in Allied failure as the last British and Polish paratroopers are evacuated from Oosterbeek, near the town of Arnhem
1957 Great Britain performs nuclear test at Maralinga, Australia
1997 Britain's Andy Green sets jet-powered car record (714 mph)

More British History

Northern Ireland

2016 Tour Championship Men's Golf, East Lake GC: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland wins in a playoff with Kevin Chappell & Ryan Moore; biggest winner's prize in golf, US$10m

Scotland

2010-09-25 PayPal founder Elon Musk (39) weds actress Talulah Riley (24) at Dornoch Cathedral

Deaths in History

1901 Arthur Fremantle, British general and American Civil War observer (b. 1835)
1987 George Emlyn Williams, Welsh actor and playwright (David Copperfield), dies from cancer at 81
1995 Dave Bowen, Welsh soccer wing-half (19 caps; Arsenal) and manager (Wales 1964-74; Northampton Town), dies at 67
2000 R. S. Thomas, Welsh poet, dies at 87
2011 Gusty Spence, Northern Irish loyalist politician and leader of the paramilitary Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), dies at 78

[Richard Frost]

26th September 2021

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
Achieving global nuclear disarmament is one of the oldest goals of the United Nations. It was the subject of the General Assembly’s first resolution in 1946, which established the Atomic Energy Commission (dissolved in 1952), with a mandate to make specific proposals for the control of nuclear energy and the elimination of atomic weapons and all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction. The United Nations has been at the forefront of many major diplomatic efforts to advance nuclear disarmament since. In 1959, the General Assembly endorsed the objective of general and complete disarmament. In 1978, the first Special Session of the General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament further recognized that nuclear disarmament should be the priority objective in the field of disarmament. Every United Nations Secretary-General has actively promoted this goal.

Yet, today around 13,080 nuclear weapons remain. Countries possessing such weapons have well-funded, long-term plans to modernize their nuclear arsenals. More than half of the world’s population still lives in countries that either have such weapons or are members of nuclear alliances. While the number of deployed nuclear weapons has appreciably declined since the height of the Cold War, not one nuclear weapon has been physically destroyed pursuant to a treaty. In addition, no nuclear disarmament negotiations are currently underway.

A selection of Birthdays

1406 Thomas de Ros, 8th Baron de Ros, English soldier & politician, born Belvoir, Leics. (d. 1430)
1711 Richard Grenville-Temple, 2nd Earl Temple, English politician, born in London (d. 1779)
1750 Cuthbert Collingwood, 1st Baron Collingwood, British admiral, born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, (d. 1810)
1790 Nassau William Senior, British economist (New Poor Law 1834), born Compton, Berks, (d. 1864)
1792 William Hobson, first Governor of New Zealand and co-author of the Treaty of Waitangi, born in Waterford, Ireland (d. 1842)
1865 Mary Russell, Duchess of Bedford, English aviator and ornithologist, born in Stockbridge, Hampshire, (d. 1937)
1874 Charles Vyner Brooke, 3rd and last White Rajah of Sarawak (1917-46), born in London (d. 1963)
1877 Edmund Gwenn, English actor (Miracle on 34th Street), born in London (d. 1959)
1887 Edwin Keppel Bennett, English writer (Built in Jerusalem’s Wall: A Book in praise of Jerusalem), born in Wareham, Dorset (d. 1958)
1887 Barnes Wallis, scientist, engineer & inventor (bouncing bomb), born Ripley, Derbys. (d. 1979)
1888 T. S. Eliot, American poet (The Waste Land), dramatist and critic (Nobel Prize 1948), born in St Louis Missouri, (d. 1965)
1895 Fay Holden, British actress (Mother-Andy Hardy films), born in Birmingham, (d. 1973)
1897 Arthur Rhys-Davids, English flying ace (WW I), born in Forest Hill, London (d. 1917)
1898 George Gershwin [Jacob Gershvin], American composer (Rhapsody in Blue; "Embraceable You"; Summertime"), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1937)
1907 Anthony Blunt, British art historian and spy for USSR, born in Bournemouth, Hampshire (d. 1983)
1907 Ralph Michael, British actor (Quest, Doctor in the House), born in London (d. 1994)
1927 Robert Blackburn, Irish educationist (International Baccalaureate Organisation), born in Kilkenny, (d. 1990)
1934 Dick Heckstall-Smith, English jazz-blues saxophonist, born in Ludlow, Shropshire (d. 2004)
1934 Raphael Samuel, British Marxist historian, born in London (d. 1996)
1935 Bob Barber, English cricketer (dashing England lefty bat in 28 Tests 1960-68), born in Withington, Manchester
1935 Joe Sherlock, Irish Labour Party politician, born in Kildorrery, Republic of Ireland (d. 2007)
1936 Winnie Mandela [Winnie Madikizela-Mandela], South African anti-apartheid activist and ANC politician, born in Bizana, Pondoland, South Africa (d. 2018)
1938 Lennie Bennett [Michael Berry], British comedian and TV game show host (Lucky Ladders), born in Blackpool, Lancashire (d. 2009)
1939 Ricky Tomlinson, English actor and comedian (Mike Bassett: England Manager), born in Blackpool, Lancashire
1941 Martine Beswick, English actress (Dr Jekyll & Sister Hyde), born in Port Antonio, Jamaica
1944 Anne Robinson, English television host (The Weakest Link), born in Crosby, Lancashire
1945 Bryan Ferry, British rocker (Roxy Music - "Avalon"), born in Washington, County Durham
1947 Graham Faulkner, English actor (Brother Sun Sister Moon), born in London, England
1948 Olivia Newton-John, British-Australian Grammy Award-winning pop singer ("Hopelessly Devoted to You"; "Physical"), and actress (Grease) born in Cambridge
1949 Minette Walters, English novelist (The Ice House), born in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
1950 Simon Brint, British comic actor, musician, and television composer (French and Saunders; A Bit of Fry & Laurie; Monarch of the Glen), born in High Ham, Somerset (d. 2011)
1951 Stuart Tosh, Scottish drummer, and singer (The Alan Parsons Project; 10cc), born in Aberdeen
1953 Dolores Keane, Irish folk singer, born in Sylane, County Galway, Ireland
1961 Will Self, English author, born in Westminster, London
1962 Tracey Thorn, English rock vocalist (Everything But The Girl - "Missing"), born Brookmans Park, Herts.
1963 Lysette Anthony, English actress (Angelique-Dark Shadows, Switch), born in London
1964 Nicki French, English singer, born in Carlisle
1969 Paul Warhurst, English footballer, born in Metropolitan Borough of Stockport
1973 Chris Small, Scottish snooker player, born in Edinburgh
1979 Jon Harley, English footballer, born in Maidstone
1982 Rob Burrow, English rugby league halfback (England 15 Tests, GB 5 Tests; Super League C'ships 2004, 07-09, 11-12, 15, 17; Leeds Rhinos), born in Pontefract
1984 Keisha Buchanan, English singer (Sugababes), born in Kingsbury, London
1988 Mark Simpson, English clarinetist and composer, born in Liverpool
1989 Emma Rigby, English actress, born in St Helens
1989 Jonny Bairstow, English cricket wicket-keeper (only English wicket-keeper to twice claim 9 dismissals in a Test match; Yorkshire CCC), born in Bradford

Today in British History

1687 City council of Amsterdam votes to support William of Orange's invasion of England, which became the Glorious Revolution
1777 British General William Howe occupies Philadelphia during American Revolution
1786 Britain & France sign trade agreement
1884 Suriname army shoots on British-Indian contract workers, 7 killed
1901 Great Britain annexes the Ashanti Kingdom and places it under the governor of the Gold Coast (Ghana)
1904 Earl Grey is named British governor-general of Canada
1907 New Zealand and Newfoundland each become dominions within the British Empire
1917 British assault on Menin-street, France
1923 The Commonwealth Conference is held in London, where Britain recognizes the right of the Dominions to make treaties with foreign powers
1934 British liner Queen Mary is launched
1944 World War II: Battle of Arnhem ends in Allied failure as German forces link up on both sides of the Lower Rhine river and mop up last British resistance
1950 Because of forest fire in Br Columbia, blue moon appears in England
1968 Theatre censorship ends in Britain
1984 Britain & China initial agreement return Hong Kong to China in 1997
2008 Swiss pilot and inventor Yves Rossy becomes first person to fly a jet engine-powered wing across the English Channel.

Northern Ireland

1971 MP David Bleakley resigns in protest over the introduction of Internment and the lack of any new political initiatives by the Northern Ireland government

Scotland

1738 Scottish philosopher David Hume enters into a contract to publish the first two volumes of his seminal work "A Treatise of Human Nature" with John Noon in London

Deaths in History

1626 Lancelot Andrewes, English theologist/bishop of Winchester, dies at 71
1763 John Byron, English poet (b. 1692)
1940 William Henry Davies, Welsh poet (Autobiography of a Super Tramp), dies at 69
1993 James Boyden, British Labour MP (1959-79), dies at 82
1994 Jessie Kesson, Scottish writer and radio producer, dies at 77
1996 George Henderson, Scottish priest (Bishop of Argyll and the Isles from 1977-92), dies at 74
2005 Helen Cresswell, British author

[Richard Frost]

27th September 2021

World Tourism Day every September 27, raises awareness of the need for accessible tourism all over the planet. World Tourism Day is the result of the work done by the UN’s specialized agency — the World Tourism Organization (WTO).

A selection of Birthdays

1792 George Cruikshank, English caricaturist & illustrator (Grimms' Fairy Tales), born London, (d.1878)
1867 Rosa Lewis, English chef and owner (Cavendish Hotel London), born in Leyton, (d. 1952)
1879 Cyril Scott, English composer and author (Heroic Suite), born in Oxton, Cheshire (d. 1970)
1895 Woolf Barnato, British financier and racing driver, born in Spencer House, London (d. 1948)
1906 William Empson, English poet and critic (Milton's God), born in Hawdon, Yorkshire, (d. 1984)
1907 Bernard Miles, British actor (The Man Who Knew Too Much, Great Expectations, In Which We Serve), born in Uxbridge, Middlesex (d. 1991)
1910 Giles Playfair, English writer, born in Kensington, London (d. 1996)
1911 Peter Doig, British Labour Party politician, born in Lochgelly, Fife, (d. 1996)
1912 Mary Grierson, Welsh botanical artist, born in Bangor, (d. 2012)
1918 James McCallion, Scottish actor (Coogan's Bluff, Vera Cruz), born in Glasgow, (d. 1991)
1918 Malcolm Shepherd [2nd Baron Shepherd], Politician (L) and Leader of the House of Lords (1974-76), born in Blackburn, Lancashire (d. 2001)
1918 Martin Ryle, Britain, radio astronomer/astronomer royal (1972-82) (d. 1984)
1921 Dennis Nineham, British theologian, (d. 2016)
1922 James Wilson, English-Irish classical composer (Grinning At The Devil), born Islington, London (d.2005)
1925 Robert Edwards, Batley, Yorkshire, physiologist (IVF pioneer, Nobel 2010), (d. 2013)
1928 Geoffrey Haward Martin, Historian, British keeper of Public Records (d. 2007)
1928 Margaret Rule, consultant (Mary Rose Trust) (d. 2015)
1932 Geoff Bent, English soccer fullback (Manchester United 12 games; died Munich air disaster), born in Salford, Lancashire (d. 1958)
1933 Rodney Cotterill, Danish-English physicist (d. 2007)
1936 Gordon Honeycombe, British broadcaster/author, born in Karachi, Colonial India (d. 2015)
1939 Nicholas Haslam, English interior designer, born in Amersham
1940 Josephine Barstow, British opera soprano singer, born in Sheffield, South Yorkshire
1941 Peter Bonetti, English soccer goalkeeper (7 caps; World Cup 1966; Chelsea 600 games), born in London,(d. 2020)
1942 Tessa Blackstone "the Red Baroness", British politician and educator, born in Bures, Essex/Suffolk Border
1942 Alvin Stardust [Bernard Jewry], English rock singer("Jealous Mind"), born in Muswell Hill, North London, (d. 2014)
1943 Maxwell Boyce, Welsh comedian and singer, born in Glynneath, Port Talbot
1944 IDG Garnett, British Vice-Admiral, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (NATO)
1946 Robin Nedwell, English comedy actor (d. 1999)
1946 T.C. Cannon, Kiowa/Caddo artist (d. 1978)
1947 Denis Stamper Lawson, actor (Return of Jedi, Born Kicking, Chain) born in Crieff, Perth & Kinross
1947 Barbara Dickson, Scottish actress and singer (Answer Me), born in Dunfermline
1948 Michael Houlihan, director (Horniman Museum & Gardens)
1948 Michele Dotrice, English actor
1951 Paul Craig, British law professor
1953 Diane Abbott, British politician (L) 1st black woman elected to UK parliament, born in London
1961 Irvine Welsh, Scottish writer
1972 Gwyneth Paltrow, American actress (Pallbearer, Emma, Hard Eight), born in Los Angeles, California
1972 Malachy Loye, cricketer (Northamptonshire & England "A" batsman)
1976 Dean Butterworth, British drummer and percussionist (Morrissey; Good Charlotte), born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester
1991 Adam Chicksen, English Football Player

On this day in British History

1066 William the Conqueror's troops set sail from Normandy for conquest of England
1694 Hurricane hits Carlisle Bay Barbados; 27 British ships sink & 3,000 die
1779 US President John Adams negotiates Revolutionary War peace terms with Great Britain
1825 George Stephenson's "Locomotion No. 1" becomes the 1st steam locomotive to carry passengers on a public rail line, the Stockton and Darlington Railway in England
1919 British troops withdraw from the North Russian town of Archangelsk after fighting Bolsheviks/Soviets
1940 55 German aircraft shot down above England

Northern Ireland

1971 Tripartite talks involving the prime ministers of Northern Ireland, Britain, and the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) of the Republic of Ireland take place at Chequers,

Scotland

1938 British ocean liner "Queen Elizabeth" launches at Clydebank

Weddings in History

1759 Political activist Thomas Paine (22) weds household servant Mary Lambert (21)

Deaths in History

1615 Arbella Stuart, English great-great-granddaughter of King Henry VII and possible heir to the throne, dies imprisoned in the Tower of London at 39 or 40
1674 Thomas Traherne, English poet and mystic (Roman Forgeries), dies
1719 George Smalridge, English Bishop of Bristol (b. 1662)
1730 Laurence Eusden, English poet, Poet Laureate (1718-30), dies at 42
1737 John Sidney, 6th Earl of Leicester, English privy councillor, dies at 57
1742 Hugh Boulter, Irish Archbishop of Armagh (b. 1672)
1960 Sylvia Pankhurst, English feminist and suffragette, dies at 78

[Richard Frost]

28th September2021

CONFUCIUS' BIRTHDAY Chinese
"Master Kong," or Kong Qui better known as Confucius (Latin name) is believed to be born on September 28, 551 BC. Confucius (551-479 BCE) was a great Chinese scholar and social philosopher, whose thoughts and teachings have profoundly influenced Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Japanese thoughts and life. His preaching’s have guided millions for over 2500 years.

International Day for Universal Access to Information
The International Day for Universal Access to Information 2021 highlights the importance of expanding access to information laws, and their implementation worldwide to build back strong institutions for sustainable development and to uphold the vision of information as a public good, as well as to strengthen international cooperation in the field of implementing the right to information as a fundamental right. Furthermore, the global discussions on “building back better” remain context adaptive to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A Selection of Birthdays

551 BC Confucius, Chinese philosopher and founder of Confucianism, born in Zou, Lu state, China
1705 Henry Fox, 1st Baron Holland, English corrupt politician (Chiswick), born Kensington, London (d.1774)
1735 Augustus FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, British Prime Minister (1768-70), born Derbyshire (d. 1811)
1746 William Jones, British orientalist and jurist (Indo-European languages), born in London (d. 1794)
1789 Richard Bright, English physician (Bright's Disease/nephritis), born in Bristol, (d. 1858)
1824 Francis Turner Palgrave, English poet (Golden Treasury), born in Great Yarmouth, (d. 1897)
1836 Thomas Crapper, English plumber and inventor (ballcock), born Thorne, Yorkshire (d. 1910)
1844-09-28 Robert Stout, Prime Minister of New Zealand (1884-87), born Lerwick, Shetland (d. 1930)
1851 Henry Arthur Jones, English playwright (Judah), born Grandborough, Buckinghamshire, (d. 1929)
1852 John [Denton Pinkstone] French, 1st Earl of Ypres and British WWI field marshal, born in Ripple, Kent, (d. 1925)
1854 Adam Sedgwick, English zoologist (Peripatus), born in Norwich (d. 1913)
1855 Thomas Frederick Tout, Historian (Manchester school of historiography), born London, (d. 1929)
1861 Amélie of Orléans, Queen of Portugal, wife of Carlos I, born in Twickenham, London (d. 1951)
1864 Barry Pain, English writer (Punch), born in Cambridge, (d. 1928)
1872 Lena Ashwell, British actress and theatrical manager who was the 1st to organize large-scale entertainment for WWI troops at the front, born on the ship Wellesley (d. 1957)
1872 Tom Terriss, English director (His Buddy's Wife, Sumuru), born in London, (d. 1964)
1881 Henry Geehl, English composer, born in London (d. 1961)
1888 Herman McNeile, soldier, novelist (Bull-Dog Drummond), born in Bodmin, Cornwall (d. 1937)
1895 Sir Charles Alexander Petrie, 3rd Baronet CBE, historian, born in Liverpool, (d. 1977)
1913 Edith Mary Ellis Peters Pargeter OBE BEM author of works in many categories, especially history and historical fiction, and was also honoured for her translations of Czech classics. (d. 1995)
1914 Lord Abinger [James Richard Scarlett], Datchet, Berkshire, English Conservative peer, campaigned for reform of the ancient law on treasure trove (d. 2002)
1916 Lord Cockfield, vorn in Horsham, West Sussex, British politician (European Commissioner) (d. 1989)
1916 Peter Finch, actor (Network, Windom's Way, Raid on Entebbe), born in London (d. 1977)
1922 Dame Phyllis Friend, DBE FRCN chief nursing officer (DHSS) (d.2013)
1923 John Scott, Duke of Buccleuch, Scottish peer, then largest landowner in Scotland, 1st MP in a wheelchair (d. 2007)
1930 Doug Holden, English soccer winger (5 caps; Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End), born in Manchester, (d. 2021)
1934 Brigitte Bardot, French actress, model, animal activist and sex kitten (And God Created Women), born in Paris
1934 Janet Munro, British actress (d. 1972)
1935 Heather Sears, actress (Room at the Top), born in London, (d.1994)
1939 Rudolph Walker, Trinidadian-born British actor (Eastenders)
1946 Fiona Lewis, born Westcliff On Sea, Essex, actress (Stunts, Lisztomania)
1946 Helen Shapiro, British pop and jazz vocalist ("You Don't Know"), born in Bethnal Green, London
1946 Peter Egan, actor born Hampstead, London (Bean, Chariots of Fire)
1947 Gillian Rose, born in London, philosopher/writer (d. 1995)
1947 Peter Hope-Evans, British singer and harmonicaist (Medicine Head), born in Brecon, Powys
1947 Jon Snow, British TV journalist (Channel 4)
1950 Paul Burgess, British drummer born in Manchester (10cc-Not Alone)
1950 Brian Keenan, Irish author (An Evil Cradling), born in Belfast
1953 Jim Diamond, Scottish singer-songwriter (I Should Have Known Better), born in Glasgow, (d. 2015)
1962 S C Grant, British Lt-General
1964 Paul Jewell, English football manager and former player, who was most recently director of football at Swindon Town. born in Liverpool, Jewell began his playing career with Liverpool, continued at Wigan Athletic and concluded in a ten-year spell with Bradford City, apart from a short loan spell with Grimsby Town. When his playing career ended
1968 Naomi Watts, British actress (King Kong, 21 Grams), born in Shoreham, Kent
1971 Alan Wright, English former professional footballer and more recently manager of Southport after spells coaching at Blackpool and Northwich Victoria. born Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, He has played over 750 league and cup games for eight clubs, including an eight-year spell for Aston Villa. He has also played for Blackburn Rovers, Blackpool, Middlesbrough and Sheffield United plus he has had loan spells at Derby County, Leeds United, Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers and Nottingham Forest. His position was left back, and he is known for being one of the shortest players in Premier League history standing at only 5 feet 4 inches tall hence his popular nickname 'the mighty atom'
1983 Stefan Moore, English former footballer who played as a striker, born Birmingham
1989 Mark Randall, English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for NIFL Premiership club Larne. born Milton Keynes.

On This day in British History

1066 William the Conqueror invades England landing at Pevensey Bay, Sussex
1106 Battle at Tinchebrai: English King Henry I beats his brother Robert
1652 English-Dutch sea battle at Kentish Knock
1928 Juan de la Cierva makes 1st helicopter flight over English Channel

Deaths in History

1582 George Buchanan, Scottish historian (b. 1506)
1618 Joshua Sylvester, English poet (b. 1563)
1781 William Henry Nassau de Zuylestein, 4th Earl of Rochford, British diplomat and statesman (b. 1717)
1935 William Kennedy Dickson, Scottish inventor (devised an early motion picture camera), dies at 75
1973 Wystan H Auden, British/American writer (Spain/Platonic Blow), dies at 66
1992 John Leech, British mathematician, dies at 66

[Richard Frost]

29th September 2021

The first Metropolitan Police officers appear on the streets of London.

MICHAELMAS National
One of the four Quarter Days in the UK legal calendar.

International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
September 29 was designated as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste by the United Nations in order to promote global efforts and collective action against responsible consumption and production of food.

A Selection of Birthdays

1240 Margaret of England, Queen consort of Scotland, (d. 1275)
1328 Joan of Kent, wife of Edward, the Black Prince (d. 1385)
1388 Thomas of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Clarence, son of Henry IV of England (d. 1421)
1547 Miguel de Cervantes y Saavedra, Spanish author (Don Quixote), born in Alcalá de Henares, Habsburg Spain (d. 1616)
1636 Thomas Tenison, Archbishop of Canterbury (1694-1715), born in Cottenham, Cambs. (d. 1715)
1639 Lord William Russell, English politician and plotter against Charles II (d. 1683)
1691 Richard Challoner, English leading Catholic bishop (Douay–Rheims bible translation), born in Lewes, Sussex (d. 1781)
1725 Robert Clive, explorer and founder (British Empire in India), born in Styche, Shropshire (d. 1773)
1727 Henry Harington, English composer and musician, born in Kelston, Somerset (d. 1613)
1758 Horatio Nelson, British admiral and hero of Trafalgar, born in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk (d. 1805)
1794 William Michael Rooke, Irish composer and violinist, born in Dublin (d. 1847)
1810 Elizabeth Gaskell, English novelist (North and South), born in London, (d. 1865)
1849 Ladislao Joseph Philip Paul Zavrtal, Czech-English composer, born in Milan
1899 Billy Butlin, South African-British holiday camp promoter (Butlins), born in Cape Town, Cape Colony (d. 1980)
1904 Dorothy Emmet, English philosopher, born in London, (d. 2000)
1904 Greer Garson, British actress (Mrs Miniver), born in East Ham, Essex (d. 1996)
1907 Michael Shepley, British actor (Squibs, Dick & the Duchess), born in Plymouth, Devon (d. 1961)
1908 Norman Anderson, English lawyer, missionary and Arabist, born in Aldeburgh, Suffolk (d. 1994)
1911 Reginald Victor Jones, British scientist who worked in military intelligence in WWII, born in London, (d. 1997)
1913 Trevor Howard, English actor in over 70 films (Brief Encounter, Superman, The Third Man), born in Kent, (d. 1988)
1916 Carl Ronald Giles, English cartoonist (Giles), born in London, (d. 1995)
1920 Peter D. Mitchell, English chemist, (1978 Nobel Prize for Chemistry), born in Mitcham, (d. 1992)
1924 David Atkinson, British air marshal, honorary physician to the Queen (d. 2013)
1928 Eric Reginald Lubbock, Lord Avebury, English politician (Liberal MP for Orpington 1962-70)
1930 Colin Dexter, English crime writer (Inspector Morse), born in Stamford, Lincolnshire (d. 2017)
1932 Jeremy Isaacs, Scottish TV executive (Channel 4) and director of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, born in Glasgow, Scotland
1932 Peter Stormonth Darling, Scottish investment banker (Mercury Asset Management Group, largest fund management in the UK), (d. 2019)
1932 Ronald B. Kitaj, American-British painter and graphic artist (pop art), born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio (d. 2007)
1935 David Hannay, British diplomat (Representative to the UN and the EU),born in London,
1935 Jerry Lee Lewis, American rock and roll piano player and singer ("Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On"; "Great Balls Of Fire"), born in Ferriday, Louisiana
1937 Barry Heywood, British director of the British Antarctic Survey (d. 2021)
1939 Jim Baxter, Scottish footballer (d. 2001)
1940 Jimmy Knapp, British trade unionist (National Union of Railwaymen) (d. 2001)
1941 David Steele, British cricketer (England batsman, courageous v Lillee 1975), born in Bradeley, Stoke-on-Trent,
1941 Frederick "Fred" West, British contractor and serial killer (12 charges of murder), born in Herefordshire, (d. 1995)
1942 Ian McShane, British actor (Roots; Bare Essence), born in Blackburn
1943 Peter Rigby, British businessman and one of UK richest (Specialist Computer Holdings)
1945 Sarah Tyacke, English historian and Keeper of British Public Records, born in Chelmsford, Essex
1946 Alasdair Fraser, Scottish-born Northern Irish lawyer, director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland, born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 2012)
1946 Patricia Hodge, English actress (Heat of the Day, Miranda), born in Cleethorpes, Lincs.
1946 Ian Wallace, British rock drummer (King Crimson, 1971-72), born in Bury, Lancashire (d. 2007)
1947 Richard J. Evans, English historian ( The Third Reich Trilogy), born in London
1954 Steve Platt, British journalist and magazine editor (New Statesman & Society)
1956 Sebastian Coe, British 1500m runner (Olympic gold 1980, 84), born in London
1957 Chris Broad, English cricketer (prolific England opening batsman 1984-89), born in Bristol
1957 Mari Wilson, British singer (Just What I Always Wanted)
1961 Julia Gillard, Australian politician, 1st Australian female Prime Minister (2010-2013), born in Barry, Wales
1965 Iain Baker, English pop musician (Jesus Jones), born in Charshalton, Surrey
1968 Luke Goss, English actor (Traffick) and musician (Bros. - "I Owe You Nothing"), born in London,
1968 Matt Goss, English singer-songwriter (Bros. - "I Owe You Nothing"), born in London
1970 Emily Lloyd, English actress (Wish You Were Here, In Country), born in London
1971 Mackenzie Crook, British actor and comedian (The Pirates of the Caribbean, Detectorists), born in Maidstone, Kent
1972 Oliver Gavin, British racing car driver (Corvette Racing 2002-present), born in Huntingdon, Cambs.
1973 Scout Niblett, British singer-songwriter, born in Stone, Kent
1976 Darren Byfield, English football player, born in Sutton Coldfield, W. Midlands
1980 Patrick Agyemang, English footballer, born in London,

On this day in British History

1364 Battle of Auray, English forces defeat French in Brittany
1608 Captain Newport arrives from England with supplies for colonists
1650 Henry Robinson opens 1st marriage bureau (England)
1829 The first units of the London Metropolitan Police appear on the streets of the British capital
1853 Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348 with over 450 people aboard that sailed from Liverpool on the 9th of September 1853 on a voyage to Quebec
1885 First practical public electric tramway in the world is opened in Blackpool,
1915 British army conquers Chilly al Imara, Mesopotamia

Scotland

1853 Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348 with over 450 people aboard that sailed from Liverpool on the 9th of September 1853 on a voyage to Quebec

Deaths in History

1913 Rudolf Diesel, German engineer (invented the diesel engine), disappears aboard the ship Dresden in the English Channel at 55
1952 John Cobb, British speed record holder (World Land Speed Record 1938-39, 47), dies attempting to break world Water Speed Record at Loch Ness, Scotland, at 52
1954 William John Gruffydd, Welsh poet and scholar, dies at 73
1981 Bill Shankly, Scottish football manager (Liverpool, 1959-74) dies of a heart attack at 68

[Richard Frost]

Thursday 30th September 2021

International Translation Day
This day is celebrated every year on September 30th, to increase awareness of the translation industry and to honour language experts’ efforts. It contributes to the preservation of cultural legacy and mutual respect in our ever-changing world. The importance of interpreters and translators cannot be overstated. They can bring individuals together and share new and fascinating information that was previously only available to members of a specific community. Their work has the potential to affect international relations and possibly change the course of history. Interpreters and translators do an incredible job, and they deserve to be recognised for it. This necessity prompted the creation of International Translation Day.

A Selection of Birthdays

1207 Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi, Persian mystic and poet, born in Khorassan, Afghanistan (d. 1273)
1627 Robinson Crusoe, fictional character, according to Daniel Defoe
1631 William Stoughton, American judge at the Salem witch trials (d. 1701)
1710 John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford, British statesman (d. 1771)
1732 Jacques Necker, French finance minister of Louis XVI whose decisions contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution, born in Geneva, Switzerland (d. 1804)
1788 FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan, British Army officer (commander of the British forces during the Crimean War), born in Badminton, Glos. (d. 1855)
1800 Decimus Burton, British architect (Hyde Park, Palm House Kew Gardens), born in London, (d. 1881)
1824 Peter Milne, Scottish composer and violinist, born in Kincardine, Fife (d. 1908)
1832 Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, VC, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCIE, VD, PC, FRSGS (Bobs) British gov of Natal (Ireland-Boer war) was a British Victorian era general who became one of the most successful British military commanders of his time. Born in India to an Anglo-Irish family, Roberts joined the East India Company Army and served as a young officer in the Indian Rebellion during which he was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry. He was then transferred to the British Army and fought in the Expedition to Abyssinia and the Second Anglo-Afghan War, in which his exploits earned him widespread fame. Roberts would go on to serve as the Commander-in-Chief, India before leading British Forces for a year during the Second Boer War. He also became the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the post was abolished in 1904. (d. 1914)
1852 Charles Villiers Stanford, Irish organist, conductor, composer, and music teacher (Royal College of Music, 1882-1924), born in Dublin, (d. 1924)
1865 Bonnor Middleton, South African cricket fast bowler (6 Tests, 24 wickets; Western Province), born in Chester-le-Street, Co Durham, (d. 1913)
1883 Robert Lightfoot, English theologist and exegetist (St John's Gospel) (d. 1953)
1904 Frank Lawton, British actor (Devil Doll, Invisible Ray), born in London, (d. 1969)
1904 Ralph Forbes [Taylor], British screen and stage actor (Romeo and Juliet; Piccadilly Jim; Daniel Boone), born in Wandsworth, London, (d. 1951)
1905 Michael Powell, English director, screenwriter, producer (Red Shoes), born in Bekesbourne, Kent, (d. 1990)
1905 Nevill Francis Mott, English physicist (Nobel Prize for Physics 1977 for work on amorphous semiconductors), born in Leeds, (d. 1996)
1906 Éamonn Ó Gallchobhair [Eamonn O Gallagher], Irish composer, born in Dundalk, (d. 1982)
1906 John I M Stewart [pseudonym Michael Innes], Scottish detective writer (Comedy of Terrors), born in Edinburgh, (d. 1994)
1925 Gwyn A Williams, Welsh historian/socialist, born Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil. (d. 1995)
1934 Anna Kashfi [Joan O'Callaghan], Welsh actress and 1st wife of Marlon Barando, born in Darjeeling, India (d. 2015)
1935 Johnny Mathis, American pop vocalist ("Chances Are"; "Wild Is The Wind"; The Twelfth of Never"), born in Gilmer, Texas
1942 (Angus) "Gus" Dudgeon, British pop record producer (Elton John, David Bowie), born in Woking, Surrey (d. 2002)
1943 Ian Ogilvy, British Actor born Woking, Surrey, He is best known as the star of the television series Return of the Saint (1978–79), in which he assumed the role of Simon Templar from Roger Moore (1962–69)
1944 Jimmy Johnstone, Scottish soccer forward (23 caps; Celtic FC), born in Viewpark, North Lanarkshire (d. 2006)
1947 Marc Bolan, British rock vocalist and guitarist (T-Rex - "Bang A Gong (Get It On)"; "Jeepster"), born in London (d. 1977)
1947 Rula Lenska [Róża Łubieńska], British stage and screen actress (Coronation Street; The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy), born in St Neots,Cambs.
1950 Victoria Tennant, actress, born in London (All of Me, Chiefs, Winds of War)
1952 Jack Wild, British actor (Oliver!, H.R. Pufnstuf), born in Royton, Lancashire, (d. 2006)
1955 Frankie Kennedy, Irish folk flute player (Altan), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 1994)
1965 Omid Djalili, British stand-up comedian, actor of Iranian heritage, born in Chelsea, London
1977 Roy Carroll, Northern Irish footballer, born Enniskillen, He is best known for his spells at Wigan Athletic, Manchester United (where he won a Premier League winners medal and the 2004 FA Cup) and Olympiacos (where he won the Greek Superleague and the Greek Cup twice). He has also represented Northern Ireland 45 times at full international level, gaining his first cap in 1997, aged 19.
1982 Michelle Marsh, English former glamour model, known for her appearances on Page 3 of several tabloids and in numerous British lads' mags. born Royton, Manchester.
1992 Lady Marina Charlotte Alexandra Katharine Helen Windsor is a British noblewoman. born Cambridge. Although she is a great-great-granddaughter of King George V, and a second cousin once removed of Charles, Prince of Wales, she was removed from the line of succession to the British throne in 2008 after being confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church.

On This day in History

1399 King Richard II of England's (supposed) abdication read out in the House of Commons by the Archbishop of Canterbury. In reality deposed by his cousin and successor Henry IV
1544 King Henry VIII draws his armies out of France
1659 Robinson Crusoe is shipwrecked (according to Daniel Defoe)
1777 Continental Congress, flees to York, Pennsylvania, as British forces advance
1818 Congress of Aken: Russia, Austria, Prussia, France & England
1885 Bechuanaland becomes a British protectorate
1936 Pinewood Studios opens in Buckinghamshire
1938 Treaty of Munich signed by Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Édouard Daladier and Neville Chamberlain, forces Czechoslovakia to give territory to Germany. Chamberlain infamously declares "Peace for our time" on his return to London.
1939 Britain first evacuates citizens in anticipation of war.
1940 47 German aircraft shot down above England
1945 Bourne End rail crash, Hertfordshire, killed 43
1966 Bechuanaland, in southern Africa, gains independence from Great Britain, becomes Republic of Botswana
1977 Ringo Starr releases album "Ringo the 4th"
1986 Mordechai Vanunu, who revealed details of Israel covert nuclear program to British media, is kidnapped in Rome, Italy
1989 NASA closes down tracking stations in Hawaii & Ascension


Northern Ireland

1970 A Protestant man is shot and killed by Loyalists in Belfast, North Ireland
1971 Ian Paisley and Desmond Boal launch the [Ulster] Democratic Unionist Party

Scotland

1887 8th America's Cup: New York Yacht Club’s cutter Volunteer beats Scottish challenger Thistle by 11:48.75 seconds on corrected time to win series, 2-0 off Newport, RI

Weddings in History

1939 Nobel Prize-winning author William Golding (28) weds analytic chemist Ann Brookfield

Deaths in History

1440 Reginald Grey, 3rd Baron Grey de Ruthyn, English soldier and politician
1628 Fulke Greville, 1st Baron Brooke, English poet (b. 1554)
1770 Thomas Robinson, 1st Baron Grantham, English politician and diplomat
1770 George Whitefield, English-born Methodist leader and preacher, dies in Newburyport, Massachusetts, at age 55
1772 James Brindley, English engineer (canals and watermills), dies at about 76
1811 Thomas Percy, English literary and bishop of Dromore, dies at 82
1888 Catherine Eddowes, English woman murdered by Jack the Ripper at 45
1888 Elizabeth Stride "Long Liz", English woman murdered by Jack the Ripper at 45
1960 St John Philby, British explorer and Arabist, dies at 75
1993 Alex Lyon, English Labour Lower house leader (1966-83), dies at 61
1996 Kenneth Muir, English scholar, dies at 89
1997 Richard Selwyn Francis Schiling, British professor of occupational health, dies at 86

[Richard Frost]

Friday 1st October 2021

A Selection of Birthdays

1207 Henry III, King of England (1216-72, Provisions of Oxford), born in Winchester Castle, Hampshire, (d. 1272)
1691 Arthur Onslow, English politician (Speaker of the House of Commons 1728-61), born in Kensington, London (d. 1768)
1760 William Beckford, British writer (Epsiodes of Vathek), born in Soho Square, London (d. 1844)
1847 Annie Besant, English social reformer and supporter of Indian independence, born in London (d. 1933)
1881 William Boeing, American aviation pioneer who founded The Boeing Company, born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1956)
1890 Stanley Holloway, English actor (Higgins-Our Man Higgins), born in London, (d. 1982)
1898 Karl Rankl, Austrian-born British composer and conductor (Covent Garden Opera Company), born in Gaaden, Austria (d. 1968)
1900 Tom Goddard, English cricket off-spin bowler (8 Tests; 22 wickets @ 26.72; Gloucestershire), born in Gloucester, Gloucestershire (d. 1966)
1903 George Coulouris, British actor (Runaway Bus), born in Manchester, (d. 1989)
1906 John Lorne Campbell, Scottish folklorist, born in Argyll, (d. 1996)
1907 Barbara Morrison, English actress (Project Moonbase), born in Weston-Super-Mare (d. 1992)
1910 Bonnie Parker, American outlaw of Bonnie and Clyde fame, born in Rowena, Texas (d. 1934)
1914 Michael Goodliffe, British actor (A Night to Remember, Cromwell, 5th Day of Peace), born in Bebington, Cheshire, (d. 1976)
1920 Walter Matthau, American actor and comedian (The Odd Couple, Bad News Bears), born in NYC, New York (d. 2000)
1921 James Whitmore, American actor (The Shawshank Redemption, Give 'em Hell Harry), born in White Plains, New York (d. 2009)
1924 Jimmy Carter, American politician, 39th US President (D) (1977-81), born in Plains, Georgia
1927 Henderson Alexander Gall, (Sandy) CMG, CBE, Malaysian-born British journalist and newscaster
1930 Richard Harris, Irish actor (Man Called Horse) and singer (MacArthur Park), born in Limerick, Ireland (d. 2002)
1935 Julie Andrews, British actress and singer (Mary Poppins; The Sound Of Music), born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
1936 Duncan Edwards, English soccer midfielder (18 caps; Manchester United), born in Dudley, Worcestershire (d. 1958)
1939 Geoffrey Whitehead, English actor, born Sheffield
1947 Martin Turner, British rock bassist, songwriter and singer (Wishbone Ash - Argus), born in Torquay, Devon,
1947 Rob Davis, English musician and songwriter (Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)), born in London
1947 Larry Lamb, British actor (EastEnders; Gavin & Stacey), born in Edmonton, Middlesex
1954 Rodney William "Rod" Ansell, Australian bushman and inspiration for "Crocodile Dundee", born in Murgon, Queensland (d. 1999)
1956 Theresa May, British Prime Minister (Conservative: 2016-19), born in Eastbourne
1958 Martin Cooper, British new wave keyboard player and saxophonist (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark), born in Liverpool
1962 Paul Walsh, English soccer forward (5 caps; Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Charlton), born in London
1964 Matthew Keith Hall (Harry Hill,) is an English comedian, television presenter, and writer. He won the Perrier Award for Best Newcomer at the 1992 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and began his career in radio and television comedy with the radio series Harry Hill's Fruit Corner (1993–1997). He has hosted his own television comedy show Harry Hill's TV Burp (2001–2012), and has narrated You've Been Framed! since 2004. His other projects include The Harry Hill Movie, released in 2013. Born Woking.
1967 Geraldine Heaney, Canadian ice hockey defense (Olympics gold 1998), born in Lurgan,
1968 Phil de Glanville, English rugby union centre and captain (38 caps; Bath RUFC), born in Loughborough, Leicestershire
1974 Keith Duffy, Irish pop singer (Boyzone), born in Dublin,
1985 Emerald Fennell, English, actress, writer and director (The Crown), born in London
1987 Michaela Coel, English actress, filmmaker and singer (Chewing Gum), born in London
1990 Charles Joseph McDonnell (born 1 October 1990) is a British filmmaker, screenwriter, musician, former vlogger and author from Bath, Somerset. On 15 June 2011, his YouTube channel charlieissocoollike became the first in the UK to reach one million subscribers.As a musician, McDonnell was a member of Doctor Who-themed rock band Chameleon Circuit and was also a member of the short-lived project Sons of Admirals until it was disbanded in May 2011. In 2010, McDonnell released a solo album titled This Is Me. McDonnell directed a series of short films from 2013 to 2014, and co-hosted the weekday morning YouTube breakfast show Cereal Time with Capital FM presenter and fellow YouTube vlogger Jimmy Hill from 2015 to 2016. In 2016, he published a book, Fun Science. After over a decade of regular uploads, McDonnell ended his YouTube career in December 2018 and moved on to screenwriting and television production duties. His first series, the science fiction drama Don't Look Deeper, was released on the streaming platform Quibi in July 2020.

On this day in British History

959 Edgar I, the Peaceful, becomes king of all England
1569 Duke of Norfolk arrested by Queen Elizabeth I for conspiring to marry Mary Queen of Scots
1688 Prince Willem III of Orange accepts invitation of take up the British crown
1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie flees to France
1768 British troops under General Thomas Gage land in Boston
1801 Britain & France sign Preliminary of London
1852 Alfred Russel Wallace returns to the U.K. after four years of travel, collecting, and research in South America
1887 Balochistan conquered by the British Empire.
1914 The first division of Canadian troops, 33,000 sail for Britain; most Canadians are volunteers, anxious to prove their loyalty to the Commonwealth
1918 World War I: Combined Arab and British force under the Lawrence of Arabia, T. E. Lawrence captures Damascus from the Turks
1932 Oswald Mosley forms British Union of Fascists
1939 Winston Churchill calls Russia a "riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma"
1952 Monte Bello-Island (Great Britain 1st atom bomb explosion)
1954 British colony of Nigeria becomes a federation
1958 Britain transfers Christmas Island (south of Java) to Australia
1960 Nigeria gains independence from Great Britain (National Day)
1968 The Guyanese government takes over the British Guiana Broadcasting Service (BGBS).
1969 Guernsey & Jersey begin issuing their own postage stamps
1975 Britain grants internal self-government to Seychelles
1995 Bermuda begins using new area code 441
2007 Most of the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 came into force in the United Kingdom.

Scotland

1569 Duke of Norfolk arrested by Queen Elizabeth I for conspiring to marry Mary Queen of Scots

Deaths in History

959 King Edwy (Eadwig) of England (955-959) "the All-Fair", dies at about 18
1500 John Alcock, English Catholic bishop
1768 Robert Simson, Scottish mathematician (Simson line), dies at 80
1795 Robert Bakewell, English cattle breeder, dies at about 70
1838 Charles Tennant, Scottish chemist and industrialist, dies at 70
1904 William Harcourt, British Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer, dies at 76
1965 Gareth Hughes, Welsh actor (Midnight Girl), dies at 71
1972 Louis Leakey, British paleoanthropologist and archaeologist (Olduvai Gorge), dies at 68
1988 Sacheverell Sitwell, English writer (People's Palace), dies at 90
2000 Reginald Kray "Reggie", British gangster, one of the Kray Twins, dies of cancer at 66
2012 Eric J. Hobsbawm, British Marxist historian, dies from pneumonia at 95

[Richard Frost]

Saturday 2nd October 2021

International Day of Non-Violence
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

A selection of birthdays

1452 Richard III, King of England (1483-85), born in Fotheringhay Castle, Northamptonshire, (d. 1485)
1832 Edward Burnett Tylor, English anthropologist (Primitive Culture), born in London (d. 1917)
1852 William Ramsay, Scottish chemist who discovered noble gases (Nobel 1904), born in Glasgow, (d. 1916)
1854 Patrick Geddes, Scottish biologist and town planner who coined the term conurbation, born in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, (d. 1932)
1866 Charles Ricketts, British artist and illustrator, born in Geneva, Switzerland (d. 1931)
1869 Mahatma Gandhi [Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi], Indian independence activist and spiritual leader, born in Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, British India (d. 1948)
1873 Sir Pelham Warner, English cricket batsman, tour manager and administrator (15 Tests; MCC chairman of selectors), born in The Hall, Port of Spain, Trinidad (d. 1963)
1901 Christopher Clarkson, British test pilot, born in Dunsfold, Surrey (d. 1994)
1904 Dermot Boyle, Marshal of the Royal Air Force, born Rathdowney, County Laois, (d. 1993)
1904 Godfrey Baseley, British radio executive, born in Alverchurch, Worchestershire, (d. 1997)
1904 [Henry] Graham Greene, English novelist (Brighton Rock, The Power and the Glory), born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire (d. 1991)
1906 John Humphreys Whitfield, British scholar of Italian language & literature, born in Wednesbury, (d. 1995)
1907 Alexander Robertus Todd, British organic chemist (Nobel Prize 1957), born in Glasgow (d. 1997)
1911 Stuart Rose, British designer (British Post Office), born in London (d. 1993)
1912 Eric Charles Twelves Wilson, English British Army officer (awarded Victoria Cross), born in Sandown, Isle of Wight, (d. 2008)
1913 Vivian Ridler, British scholar and printer (Oxford University), born in Cardiff, (d. 2009)
1914 Bernarr Rainbow, English historian of music education, organist, and choir master, born in London (d. 1998)
1917 Francis Jackson, British organist and composer, born in Malton, Yorkshire,
1920 William Cramond, Scottish psychiatrist and vice-chancellor (Stirling University), born in Aberdeen, (d. 2004)
1921 Robert Runcie, Archbishop of Canterbury, born in Liverpool, (d. 2000)
1926 Jan Morris, Welsh journalist, historian and travel writer (Among the Cities, Hong Kong, Journeys), born in Clevedon, Somerset, England (d. 2020)
1928 Anthony Tippet, British Royal Navy officer and Chief of Fleet Support (d. 2006)
1929 Kenneth Leighton, British pianist and composer, born in Wakefield, Yorkshire (d. 1958)
1932 Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, Irish paramilitary and political leader of Sinn Féin, born in Longford, Ireland (d. 2013)
1933 (Albert Ronald) "Ronnie" Ross, Scottish jazz and session baritone saxophonist, born in Calcutta, India (2 October 1933 (d. 1991)
1934 Duncan Thomson, keeper (Scottish National Portrait Gallery)
1934 Geoff Millman, English cricket wicket-keeper (6 Tests), born in Bedford, Bedfordshire (d. 2005)
1934 Richard Scott, Baron Scott of Foscote, British high court judge, born in Dehradun, India
1935 Peter Frankl, Hungarian-British pianist, born in Budapest, Hungary
1936 Roger Sainsbury, Anglican Bishop of Barking
1940 Lord Davies, British engineer and chairman (Welsh National Opera)
1943 Anna Ford, British broadcaster and actress (Secret Policeman's Ball), born in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire
1948 Sir Trevor Brooking, English soccer midfielder (47 caps; West Ham United 528 games), born in Barking, Essex
1950 Michael Rutherford, British rock bassist and guitar player (Genesis; Mike & the Mechanics - "Living Years"), born in Chertsey, Surrey
1950 Ian McNeice, English actor (Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls), born in Basingstoke, Hampshire
1951 Sting [Gordon Sumner], British singer-songwriter and bassist (The Police - "Every Breath You Take") and actor (Dune), born in Wallsend, Northumberland
1952 George Meegan, British adventurer who walked 19,019 miles from Argentina to Alaska, born in London
1952 John Otway, English cult rocker, born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
1955 Philip Oakey, British rock vocalist (The Human League - "Don't You Want Me"), born in Hinckley, Leicestershire
1957 Wade Dooley, English rugby union lock (57 caps; 2 caps British Lions), born in Warrington, Cheshire
1958 Daniel Peacock, British actor (Only Fools and Horses), director and writer (Cavegirl), born in Hammersmith, London
1960 Django Bates, British jazz musician, composer and educator, born in Beckenham, Kent
1968 Victoria Derbyshire, British radio presenter
1969 Badly Drawn Boy [Damon Gough], British singer-songwriter (Have You Fed The Fish?), born in Dunstable, Bedfordshire
1974 Simon Gregson [Simon Gregory], British actor (Coronation Street), born in Manchester

On this day in British History

1492 King Henry VII of England invades France
1518 English cardinal Thomas Wolsey makes European plan
1656 English North American colony of Connecticut passes law against Quakers
1804 Britain mobilizes to protect against French invasion
1836 After 5 years at sea Charles Darwin returns to England aboard the HMS Beagle
1902 Beatrix Potter's "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" is published by Frederick Warne & Co. in London
1923 British occupying army leaves Constantinople
1940 17 German aircraft shot down over England
1940 British Council receives Royal Charter
1940 British liner Empress, loaded with refugees for Canada, sunk

Northern Ireland

1975 The Ulster Volunteer Force kill 7 civilians in a series of attacks across Northern Ireland; 6 were Catholic civilians and 1 was a Protestant civilian

Scotland

1263 The battle of Largs fought between Norwegians and Scots.

Weddings in History

1970-10-02 Scottish singer Donovan (24) weds Linda Lawrence at Windsor Registry Office

Deaths in History

1746 Josiah Burchett, English Secretary of the Admiralty
1764 William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire, 5th Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1756-57), dies at 44
1780 John Andre, British Army officer of the American Revolutionary War, hanged by Americans (spied with B Arnold) at 30
1782 Charles Lee, British and U.S. general (b. 1732)
1916 Benjamin Kidel, English sociologist (Social Evolution), dies at 58
1931 Thomas Lipton, Scottish yachtsman (5-time America's Cup challenger) and tea merchant (Lipton Tea), dies at 81
1988 Alec Issigonis, Greek-British automotive designer who designed the Mini, dies at 81
2007 Christopher Derrick, British writer, dies at 86

[Richard Frost]

Sunday 3rd October 2021

A Selection of Birthdays

1792 Cipriani Potter, English pianist and composer, born in London (d. 1871)
1844 Patrick Manson, Scottish physician and parasitologist (Father of tropical medicine), born in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, (d. 1922)
1860 Annie Horniman, English theatre owner (Abbey Theatre, Dublin), born in Surrey Mount, Forest Hill, London (d. 1937)
1862 Johnny Briggs, English cricket all-rounder (33 Tests; 118 wickets @ 17.75), born in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (d. 1902)
1866 Learmont Drysdale, Scottish composer, born in Edinburgh (d. 1909)
1888 Claud Allister, British actor (Kiss Me Kate, Quartet, Bulldog Drummond), born in London (d. 1970)
1908 David Herbert, British writer and raconteur (d. 1995)
1911 Michael Hordern, British actor (Watership Down, The Spy Who Came In From The Cold), born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire (d. 1995)
1916 James Herriot [Alfred Wight], English veterinarian and novelist (All Creatures Great and Small), born in Sunderland, County Durham (d. 1995)
1940 Sheila Fearn, British actress (The Likely Lads; George and Mildred), born in Leicester
1941 Chubby Checker [Ernest Evans], American singer-songwriter ("The Twist"; "Limbo Rock"), born in Spring Gully, South Carolina.
1951 Jack Harris, British rock vocalist (The Alan Parsons Project), born in, Shoreditch, Hackney, London
1961 Robbie Jaymes, British rock keyboardist (Modern Romance), born in London
1964 Clive Owen, English actor (Closer), born in Coventry
1973 Lena Headey, British actress (Game of Thrones), born in Hamilton, Bermuda
1980 Danny O'Donoghue, Irish rock singer-songwriter (The Script - "For The First Time"), born in Dublin
1987 Danny Willett, British golfer (US Masters 2016), born in Sheffield

On this day in British History

1778 Captain James Cook anchors at Alaska
1929 British Labour government recovers diplomatic relations with USSR
1932 Iraq gains full independence from Britain, joins League of Nations
1943 British 8th army lands at Termoli, East Italy
1952 1st British nuclear test during Operation Hurricane at Monte Bello Island, Australia, UK becomes the world's third nuclear nation
1985 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) adopts constitution

Ireland

1691 English & Dutch army occupies Limerick Ireland
1968 The proposed civil rights march in Derry, Northern Ireland, is banned from the area of the city centre and the Waterside area; the banning order is issued under the Public Order Act by William Craig, then Home Affairs Minister
1981 Irish Nationalists at Maze Prison near Belfast end 7-month hunger strike

Scotland

1712 The Duke of Montrose issues a warrant for the arrest of Rob Roy MacGregor
1971 Scotsman Jackie Stewart finishes 5th in the season ending US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen to claim his second Formula 1 World Drivers Championship by 29 points from Swede Ronnie Peterson
2018 Most expensive whisky ever sold at auction for $1.1 million, the Macallan Valerio Adami 1926, in Edinburgh, Scotland

Wales

1283 Dafydd ap Gruffydd, Prince of Gwynedd, Wales, becomes the first person executed by being hanged, drawn and quartered

Weddings in History

1970 75th Prime Minister of UK John Major (27) weds Norma Johnson (28) at St Matthew's Church, Brixton

Deaths in History

1283 Dafydd ap Gruffyd, last monarch of Gwynnedd (North-Wales), dies
1656 Myles Standish, Plymouth Colony leader, dies of strangury at 72
1690 Robert Barclay, Scottish writer (b. 1648)
1701 Joseph Williamson, English politician (b. 1633)
2000 John Grant, British politician (b. 1932)
2006 John Crank, British mathematician (b. 1913)
2015 Denis Healey, English politician (Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer), dies at 98