ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE OCTOBER 18, 1956
THE kind of history that will change the face of the world was made yesterday when the Queen’s gloved hand pulled a switch that turned atomic power to the service of mankind. This power station, at Calder Hall, Cumberland, is the first industrial atomic reactor producing electric power for industry and homes.
OCTOBER 18, 1963
A PUB landlord has asked customers to stop giving drinks to his three-year- old monkey Sugar — to keep him sober. Jack Cherrington, 41, of the Rummer Hotel, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, said: ‘Sugar loves gin and ginger, whisky and the froth off stout. But I put a ban on him having spirits except when he has a cold.’ Sugar is still allowed mild beer and a sip of port before bed.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
FREIDA PINTO, 35. The Indian actress played a street kid described as ‘the most beautiful girl in the world’ in Slumdog Millionaire and went on to have a six-year relationship with her British costar, Dev Patel. The exface of L’Oreal said of Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes: ‘I felt completely undermined as the only female performer in the film who wasn’t given a task other than to be a primatologist in frickin’ high heels and follow the men around.’ PAUL CHUCKLE, 72. The Rotherham-born comedian — real surname: Elliott — was one half of the Chuckle Brothers (Barry died last year). They started out on talent show Opportunity Knocks in 1967. Comic David Walliams said they were the ‘last link’ to Britain’s music hall tradition.
BORN ON THIS DAY
CANALETTO (1697-1768). The Italian artist, known for his scenes of Venice, was born Giovanni Antonio Canal, but took his ‘little canal’ nickname, to differentiate himself from his theatrical scene painter father. English aristocrats were his best customers. One said: ‘The fellow is whimsical and varies his prices every day.’ GEORGE C. SCOTT ( 1927- 1999). The fivetimes-American was the first actor to turn down an Oscar after winning in 1971 for his portrayal of General George S. Patton in Patton. He said the politics surrounding such awards were ‘demeaning’. Scott said of fame: ‘There is no question you get pumped up by the recognition. Then a self-loathing sets in when you realise you’re enjoying it.’
ON OCTOBER 18…
IN 1922, the BBC was founded. IN 1967, the Soviet Union sent the first space probe into Venus’s atmosphere. But the pressure — 90 times higher than Earth’s — is believed to have crushed Venera 4.
WORD WIZARDRY
GUESS THE DEFINITION: Gibbous (1300s) A) Deceitful. B) Badly formed. C) Of the moon when halfway full. ( Answer below)
PHRASE EXPLAINED Cabin fever:
Feeling bored and restless after long periods spent inside. Coined around 1900, it referred to being isolated in a remote area during winter.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
HOW many of our daydreams would darken into nightmares if there seemed any danger of their coming true! Logan Pearsall Smith, U.S. writer (1865-1946)
JOKE OF THE DAY
WHAT do you get when you cross an elephant and a potato? Mashed potatoes. Guess The Definition answer: C.