IT HAPPENED TODAY
1509:
Henry VIII married his sisterin-law, Spanish princess Catherine of Aragon, the first of his six wives.
1776:
English landscape painter John Constable (above) was born in East Bergholt, Suffolk, son of a landowner and miller. He had seven children, four of whom became painters.
1864:
Opera composer Richard Strauss was born in Munich.
1952:
Denis Compton hit his 100th century.
1963:
US President JFK says segregation is morally wrong and that it is “time to act”.
1955:
Some 82 spectators were killed when a car skidded off the track during the Le Mans 24-hour race.
1975:
The first oil was pumped ashore from the North Sea Argyll oil fields.
1982:
E.T. the Extra-terrestrial, directed by Steven Spielberg, starring Henry Thomas and Drew Barrymore, is released.
1979:
Tough-guy actor John Wayne (above), real name Marion Michael Morrison but known as The Duke, died.
1987:
Margaret Thatcher is the first British prime minister in 160 years to win a third consecutive term.
1990:
It was reported that divorce was costing Britain £4 million a day in legal and welfare payments.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
Radiohead announced they were releasing a haul of unheard music in aid of Extinction Rebellion after the band was hacked and asked to pay a ransom.
BIRTHDAYS:
Jackie Stewart, racing driver, 81; Vince Earl, actor and comedian, 76; Joe Montana, former American footballer, 64; Hugh Laurie (below), actor, 61; Jean Alesi, racing driver, 56; Jane Goldman, screenwriter and author, 50; Joshua Jackson, actor, 42.