ON THIS DAY
NATIONAL DAY OF GHANA
Formerly the Gold Coast, it became the first British colony in Africa to achieve independence, on March 6, 1957)
1836:
The Alamo fell to Mexican forces under Santa Anna. Legendary frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie both died in the 12-day battle.
1890:
An ornithologist released 100 starlings in New York’s Central Park as a memorial to Shakespeare. The starling is now America’s worst bird pest.
1899:
Chemist Felix Hoffmann patented the world’s most famous pain-relief drug, aspirin.
1926:
The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon was engulfed by flames, leaving only a blackened shell.
1930:
Clarence Birdseye marketed the first frozen foods in Massachusetts.
1944:
US planes from bases in Britain began daylight bombing raids on Berlin.
1951:
Ivor Novello (David Ivor Davies), Welsh-born composer, playwright and actor, died in his flat above the Strand Theatre, London.
1961:
George Formby, film star and music hall artist, who sang comic songs and accompanied himself on the banjo, died.
1987:
The ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized with her bow door open leaving Zeebrugge harbour - 193 died.
1988:
Three IRA terrorists were shot dead by SAS men in Gibraltar.
1997:
A gunman stole Tete de Femme, a million-dollar Picasso portrait, from a London gallery. The painting was recovered a week later.