IT HAPPENED TODAY
1564:
Galileo Galilei, the 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.
1852:
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London, admits it’s first patient.
1874:
The Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton (above) was born in Kilkee, Co Clare.
1882:
The first shipment of frozen meat left New Zealand for England.
1901:
The first 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.
Singapore surrendered to Japan. “A heavy military defeat,” said Winston Churchill of the loss of the fortress.
1965:
Nat King Cole (above), US singer and pianist, died of cancer.
1971:
Britain changed over to decimal coinage on Decimal Day.
1981:
Football League games were played on a Sunday for the first time.
2005:
YouTube, the internet site on which videos may be shared and viewed by others, launched in the US.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
Scientists discovered a certain type of stem cell could train the immune system to attack the growth of tumours.
Gerald Harper, actor, 90; Glyn Johns, music producer, 77; Clare Short, politician, 73; Jane Seymour (above), actress, 68; Matt Groening, The Simpsons creator, 65; Ali Campbell, singer (UB40), 60; Alexander Wurz, racing driver, 45; Ronnie Vannucci Jnr, drummer (The Killers), 43.