On this day ...

SEPTEMBER 27

1930: Bobby Jones of the US won the US National Amateur Championships to complete the first golfing grand slam.

1938: The 80,000-tonne liner Queen Elizabeth was launched at John Brown’s Yard in Clydebank.

1940: Imperial Japan signed a 10-year military and economic alliance, known as the ‘axis alliance’, with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

1960: Bank Underground station in London opened the first travelator, or “moving pavement”, in Europe.

1968: The rock musical Hair opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, the day after censorship in the theatre was lifted.

1979: Dame Gracie Fields, English comedienne, singer and music hall entertainer, died in retirement at her home on the Isle of Capri, Italy, aged 81.

1979: BBC’s Question Time was broadcast for the first time, with Robin Day, above, in the chair. He stayed with the show for 10 years.

1987: The Great Britain and European Ryder Cup Team defeated the US for the first time on US soil to retain the trophy.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: A lucky metal detector enthusiast’s breathtaking find was a first in British history, according to archaeologists.

BIRTHDAYS: Nicky Haslam, interior designer, 79; Denis Lawson, actor, 71; Meat Loaf, rock singer and actor, 71; Barbara Dickson, singer, 71; Michele Dotrice, actress, 70; Diane Abbott, Labour MP, 65; Gwyneth Paltrow, above, actress, 46; Avril Lavigne, singer, 34.