IT HAPPENED TODAY
1564:
Galileo Galilei Italian astronomer and mathematician, was born in Pisa.
1842:
The first adhesive stamp was used in the USA by the City Despatch Post, a private concern later acquired by the Government for $1,200.
1874:
The Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton was born in Kilkee, Co Clare.
1882:
The first shipment of frozen meat left New Zealand for England.
1901:
The first British Parliament of the 20th century opened with a new member for Oldham. His name was Winston Churchill.
1913:
Sir Barry Jackson opened the first repertory theatre in Birmingham.
1942:
Singapore surrendered to Japan. “A heavy and far-reaching military defeat,” said Winston Churchill of the loss.
1965:
American jazz pianist and vocalist Nat King Cole died of cancer. He recorded more than 100 songs that became hits. Cole also acted in films and performed on Broadway. He made history as the first black man to host an American television series.
1971:
Britain changed over to decimal coinage on Decimal Day.
1981:
Football League games were played on a Sunday for the first time.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
More than three million people across the UK could stave off infections such as colds or flu every year if everyone took Vitamin D supplements, experts announced.
BIRTHDAYS:
Gerald Harper, actor, 89; Glyn Johns, music producer, 76; Clare Short, Labour politician, 72; Jane Seymour actress, 67; Matt Groening, The Simpsons creator, 64; Ali Campbell, singer (UB40), 59; Alexander Wurz, racing driver, 44; Ronnie Vannucci Jnr, drummer with The Killers, 42.