IT HAPPENED TODAY
1707:
The Acts of Union became law, making England and Scotland one country.
1726:
Sir John Vanbrugh playwright and architect of Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and many more, died.
1780:
The British Gazette And Sunday Monitor, the first Sunday newspaper in Britain, was published.
1827:
Deaf composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna, aged 57. His last words were reputedly: “I shall hear in Heaven.”
1937:
Popeye became the first cartoon character to have his statue erected — by spinach growers in Crystal City, Texas.
1973:
The first woman stockbroker set foot on the floor of the London Stock Exchange.
1979:
Israel and Egypt ended 30 years of war with a peace deal brokered by the US.
1992:
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was jailed after being found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of criminal deviate conduct.
1997:
The bodies of 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult were found after a mass suicide — they believed they would join aliens following the Hale-Bopp comet.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
Scientists revealed that more than 100 genes important to memory had been identified using an imaging genetics technique combining tissue analysis and brainwave readings.
BIRTHDAYS:
Erica Jong, writer, 76; Bob Woodward, Watergate journalist, 75; Diana Ross, singer, 74; Steve Tyler, rock musician with Aerosmith, 70; Martin Short, actor, 68; Jennifer Grey, actress, 58; William Hague, Conservative politician, 57; Amy Smart, actress, 42; Keira Knightley
actress, 33.