IT HAPPENED TODAY
1709:
Samuel Johnson, poet and lexicographer, was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, the son of a bookseller. His dictionary, which took him eight years to compile, contained some eccentric explanations, such as: “Oats: A grain which in England is generally given to horses but in Scotland supports the people.”
1851:
The New York Times was first published.
1905:
Greta Garbo the Swedish shop girl who became one of the most legendary film stars of all time, was born.
1948:
Some 7,000 tons of food supplies and petrol were airlifted into Berlin by British and American aircraft, defying a three-month Russian blockade.
1961:
UN secretary-general Dag Hammarskjold was killed when his plane was sabotaged and crashed in the jungle in Northern Rhodesia.
1970:
Rock star Jimi Hendrix died in an ambulance on the way to hospital, apparently suffering from a drug overdose.
1976:
In China, 800m citizens paid a last tribute to their leader Mao TseTung at a memorial service. For three minutes, one-fifth of the world’s population stood in silence.
1981:
France abolished execution by guillotine.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
A biker who took selfies and pulled wheelies on a motorway before speeding at up to 117mph was jailed for eight months and given a 28-month driving ban.
BIRTHDAYS:
Peter Shilton, former goalkeeper/football manager, 69; John Aldridge, former football manager and TV pundit, 60; John Fashanu, TV presenter and former footballer, 56; Darren Gough, former cricketer, 48; Jada Pinkett Smith tress/singer, 47; James Marsden, actor, 45; Sol Campbell, footballer, 44; Dizzee Rascal, singer/rapper, 34.