IT HAPPENED TODAY
1707:
The Acts of Union became law, making England and Scotland one country.
1726:
Sir John Vanbrugh, playwright and architect of Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and many castles and houses, died.
1780:
The British Gazette And Sunday Monitor, the first Sunday newspaper in Britain, was published.
1827:
Famously deaf composer Ludwig van Beethoven (above)died in Vienna, aged 57. His last words were reputedly: “I shall hear in Heaven.”
Popeye (below) the sailorman became the first cartoon character to have his statue erected — by spinach growers in Crystal City, Texas.
1937: 1945:
David Lloyd George, who laid the foundations of the Welfare State and led Britain through the First World War, died at the age of 82.
1973:
The first woman stockbroker set foot on the floor of the London Stock Exchange.
1981:
The so-called Gang of Four (Roy Jenkins, David Owen, William Rodgers and Shirley Williams) launched the Social Democratic Party.
1992:
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was jailed after being found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of criminal deviate conduct.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
George Harrison’s sitar was damaged in an ‘unfortunate accident’ at the Victoria & Albert Museum, it was reported.
BIRTHDAYS:
Erica Jong, writer, 78; Bob Woodward, Watergate journalist, 77; Diana Ross (below), singer, 76; Steve Tyler, rock musician (Aerosmith), 72; Martin Short, actor, 70; Jennifer Grey, actress, 60; William Hague, Conservative politician, 59; Amy Smart, actress, 44; Keira Knightley, actress, 35.