ON THIS DAY

66 years ago (1952)

We reported how the Queen was planning to let more members of the public see her by introducing longer processional routes. President-elect Eisenhower as on a “whirlwind” threeday visit to Korea where he claimed to have “no trick” to settling the conflict. Ike kept a low profile with the South Koreans feeling “snubbed” that he hadn’t turned up to an “elaborate” reception.

97 years ago (1921)

The three-year Irish War of Independence between Britain and the Irish Republican Army came to an end under the AngloIrish Treaty. A year later the Irish Free State was established as part of the British Commonwealth, comprising 26 of the 32 counties of Ireland.

35 years ago (1983)

A team of 20 doctors and nurses at Harefield Hospital in North London performed the first successful heart and lung transplant on Swedish journalist, Lars Ljungberg. He died 13 days later from pulmonary hypertension

– a condition he had before the operation.

23 years ago (1995)

Pop star Michael Jackson was hospitalised after fainting on stage during a rehearsal for an upcoming cable television special. Jackson, 38, was rushed to Beth Israel North Hospital shortly after 5pm, suffering from low blood pressure.