IT HAPPENED TODAY
1855:
Bread riots broke out in Liverpool.
1878:
Thomas Edison patented the phonograph.
1897:
The Women’s Institute was founded at Stoney Creek, Ontario, by Adelaide Hoodless.
1906:
In America, William Kellogg formed the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company to make the breakfast cereal he developed as a health food for mental patients.
1942:
About 150 Japanese war planes attack the Australian city of Darwin.
1957:
Emergency Ward 10, the first continuous TV series began on ITV — it was shown twice-weekly for 10 years.
1959:
Britain, Turkey and Greece sign agreement granting Cyprus independence.
Actor Peter Sellers (38, weds actress Britt Ekland in London.
Iceland broke off diplomatic relations with Britain after the two countries failed to agree on limits in the Cod War fishing dispute.
1977:
Space shuttle Enterprise makes its first test flight atop a 747 jetliner.
1985:
EastEnders began on BBC TV, the first time that the broadcaster had produced a successful television soap to rival Coronation Street and Emmerdale Farm.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was the biggest success at the Bafta Film Awards with five wins, while Gary Oldman was the only British star to take an acting award.
BIRTHDAYS:
Gwen Taylor actress, 80; Smokey Robinson, singer, 79; Jeff Daniels, actor, 64; Prince Andrew, Duke Of York, 59; Hana Mandlikova, former tennis player, 57; Seal, singer, 56; Benicio del Toro, actor, 52.