IT HAPPENED TODAY
1301:
The first Prince of Wales was created. Edward of Caernarvon later became Edward II.
1812:
Victorian author Charles Dickens (above) whose novels include Great Expectations, Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol was born at Landport, Portsmouth.
1845:
The Portland Vase, a 10-inch Roman glass vessel, was smashed by a hooligan while on loan to the British Museum. It was successfully restored.
1928:
An amended version of the Book of Common Prayer was approved by the Church of England.
1940:
Walt Disney’s Pinocchio (below) had its world premiere.
1976:
Two ladies made sporting history: Joan Bazely became the first woman referee of an all-male football match at Croydon, and Diana Thorne became the first woman jockey to win under National Hunt Rules.
1990:
In the USSR, the Central Committee agreed to end the communist monopoly on power, paving the way for a multi-party democracy.
1991:
The IRA launched a mortar bomb attack on 10 Downing Street from a van in Whitehall. No one was hurt.
2014:
XXII Winter Olympic Games open in Sochi, Russia.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
The Duchess of Cambridge prepared for a visit to Essex to open a new treatment centre to help people to beat addiction.
BIRTHDAYS:
Mick McCarthy, football manager, 60; James Spader, actor, 59; Garth Brooks (below), country singer, 57; David Bryan, musician, 57; Eddie Izzard, comedian/ actor, 57; Ray Mears, survival expert/ TV presenter, 55; Chris Rock, actor/ comedian, 54; Richie Burnett, darts player, 52; Ashton Kutcher, actor, 41.