ON THIS DAY

■■1579: Sir Francis Drake anchored the Golden Hind just north of what would one day be San Francisco Bay, naming the area New Albion.

1703: The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, was born, the 15th of 19 children of a clergyman.

■■1775: The Battle of Bunker Hill, the second major clash of the American War of Independence, was fought just north of Boston, Massachusetts.

1823: Charles Macintosh patented the waterproof cloth he was to use to make raincoats. ■■1867: Joseph Lister performed a mastectomy on his sister Isabella using carbolic acid as an antiseptic. It was the first operation using antiseptic.

1929: Hitchcock’s Blackmail was premiered in London. The first reel was shot before the studio was equipped for sound and has only sound effects and music: the dialogue begins in reel two.

■■1970: Edwin Land patented his Polaroid camera.

1972: Five burglars were caught in the Watergate office complex in Washington, election headquarters of the Democratic Party, sparking a major political scandal.

■■1982: Italian banker Roberto Calvi, known as ‘God’s banker’ due to his close ties with the Vatican, was found hanging under Blackfriars Bridge in London.

1991: In South Africa, the repeal of the Population Registration Act of 1950 officially ended apartheid. ■■ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced everyone aged 18 and over would be able to book their Covid-19 vaccine in England from Friday, calling the vaccination programme “an incredible achievement”.

BIRTHDAYS: Ken Loach, TV and film director, 86; Barry Manilow, singer, 79; Ken Livingstone, former London mayor, 77; Estelle Morris, Baroness Morris of Yardley, Labour politician, 70; Greg Kinnear, actor, 59; Diane Modahl, former athlete, 56; Jason Patric, actor, 56; Venus Williams, tennis player, 42, above.