IT HAPPENED TODAY
1377:
Richard II inherited the English throne, aged 10.
1757:
George Vancouver, the explorer after whom Vancouver Island and Vancouver are named, was born.
1814:
MCC beat Hertfordshire in the first major cricket match played at the present Lord’s cricket ground in St John’s Wood.
1894:
Harry Houdini (above), the Hungarian-born American illusionist and stunt performer noted for his sensational escape acts, married Bessie Rahner.
1896:
Marconi patented the wireless.
1937:
Joe Louis won the world heavyweight boxing title by knocking out James J Braddock in Chicago. He successfully defended the crown 25 times before announcing his retirement on March 1, 1949.
1940:
France capitulated and accepted the Armistice terms of Germany.
The German Army invaded Russia.
1969:
Singer Judy Garland (above) was found dead in her flat in London, aged 47.
1982:
Prince Charles and Princess Diana took their newborn son, Prince William, home from hospital.
1987:
Fred Astaire, American tap dancer, presenter and actor, died aged 88.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
A former NASA astronaut revealed that the sprawling Glastonbury Festival site can be seen from space.
BIRTHDAYS:
Prunella Scales, actress, 86; Kris Kristofferson, singer/actor, 82; Esther Rantzen, TV presenter, 78; Meryl Streep (below), actress, 69; Lindsay Wagner, actress, 69; Alastair Stewart, newscaster, 66; Danny Baker, DJ and presenter,61; Jimmy Somerville, singer, 57; Dan Brown, author, 54.