ON THIS DAY
IT’S DAY 247 OF 2015
FORMER U.S. President Bill Clinton’s TV statement in August 1998 confessing his sexual relationship with intern Monica Lewinsky lasted for 247 seconds. WHEN Radio 1 was being set up in 1967 — in response to a government ban on pirate stations — it was originally going to be named Radio 247, after the wavelength on which it was to be broadcast. IN 1933, the Boeing 247 — considered the first modern commercial aircraft — went into service. It took 20 hours, with seven stops, to fly from New York to Los Angeles. That flight takes just six hours today. THE Grand Duchy of Luxembourg could fit into France 247 times.
THERE ARE 118 DAYS LEFT
SIX months after publishing his famous dictionary in 1755, Dr Samuel Johnson was arrested for a debt of 118 shillings. He had to be bailed out by his friend, fellow writer Samuel Richardson. WHEN Hadrian’s Wall, between Wallsend on the River Tyne and Carlisle on the Solway Firth, was built in the 2nd century, it was 118km (73 miles) long.
THE city of Venice is built on 118 islands.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
POP star Beyonce, 34, (right). The Texas-born singer’s unusual first name comes from her mother’s maiden name — Beyince. She and her r apper husband Jay Z have an estimated net worth in excess of $1 billion. BILL KENWRIGHT, 70. The millionaire, Liverpool-born theatrical producer and chairman of Everton Football Club began his career on Coronation Street, playing Gordon Clegg, and in 1972 appeared as a reporter in Carry On Matron. MARK RONSON, 40. The London-born record producer, who has worked with Amy Winehouse and Adele, is the nephew of property magnate, ex-convict and philanthropist Gerald Ronson.
BORN ON THIS DAY
COMPUTER scientist John McCarthy (1927-2011), who coined the term ‘artificial intelligence’. Earlier this year, Microsoft announced it had developed the first ‘deep learning machine’ with a higher IQ than the average university-educated human. JAGUAR founder Sir William Lyons (1901-85). A Blackpool-born engineer, he produced the popular SS1, a two- door sports saloon. Lyons changed the name of the company from SS to Jaguar at the end of World War II to avoid any possible Nazi connotations. DICK YORK ( 1928- 92, right). Best remembered as Darrin Stephens, the mortal husband of white witch Samantha in the TV comedy series Bewitched. A back injury meant he had to leave the series and, bedridden, he later become addicted to painkillers and tobacco. He died of emphysema aged 63.
ON SEPTEMBER 4 . . .
IN 1965, The Who’s van and instruments were stolen outside Battersea Dogs’ Home — while they were inside looking for a guard dog to protect their kit. In 1972, at the age of 22, American swimmer Mark Spitz became the first person to win seven Olympic gold medals at one Games — in Munich. In 1955, Kenneth Kendall became the first newsreader to appear on screen in BBC bulletins. He later presented Treasure Hunt, fronted by Anneka Rice.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
Grandchildren are so much fun, I should have had them first.
American author Lois Wyse
JOKE OF THE DAY
WHAT type of cheese is made backwards? Edam.