ON THIS DAY
1740: The Marquis de Sade, French aristocrat whose lifestyle gave rise to the word sadism, was born in Paris.
1868: The first Trades Union Congress was held in Manchester.
1896: Marconi patented his broadcasting system using electromagnetic waves.
1938: Robert and Edward Kennedy, youngest sons of the American ambassador to London, opened the children’s zoo in Regent’s Park. Children were charged sixpence to watch chimpanzees have a tea party.
1941: Clothes rationing was introduced in Britain and not lifted until 1949. Some 60 clothes coupons were allowed each year for all except baby clothes. One dress used 11 coupons, and a man’s suit took 26.
1946: Italy abolished its monarchy and became a republic.
1953: Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey on a dull, showery day. It was the first coronation to be televised.
1954: Lester Piggott, at 18, became the youngest jockey to win the Derby when he rode Never Say Die to victory at Epsom. The colt, a 33-1 outsider, won by two lengths.
1997: Timothy McVeigh was convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma bombing.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR
Football fans were warned not to buy tickets for the Champions League final on the street as they could be stolen..
TODAY’S BIRTHDAYS
Sally Kellerman, actress, 81; Stacy Keach, actor, 77; Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, 77; Joanna Gleason, actress, 68; Tony Hadley, singer (Spandau Ballet), 58; Mark and Steve Waugh, former cricketers, 53; Jon Culshaw, comedian, 50; Zachary Quinto, actor, 41; Dominic Cooper, actor, 40.