ON THIS DAY
1687:
The first Huguenots set sail from France for South Africa to escape religious persecution.
1695:
A window tax was imposed in Britain, resulting in many windows being bricked up.
1720:
Charles Edward Stuart – Bonnie Prince Charlie, the ‘Young Pretender’ – was born in Rome. As leader of the Scottish Jacobites, he attempted to depose George II, but was finally defeated at Culloden.
1911: Marie Curie received her second Nobel prize, unprecedented in the history of the award.
1923: The chimes of Big Ben were broadcast by the BBC for the first time.
1935: Charles Darrow patented his board game Monopoly.
1938: Dr R N Harger’s ‘Drunkometer’ was officially used to breathalyse drivers by the Indianapolis Police Department.
1960: The farthing ceased to be legal tender.
1981: Former flight lieutenant Jerry Rawlings overthrew the government of President Hilla Limann to seize power in Ghana.
1999: First President of Russia Boris Yeltsin, above, resigned from office, with the prime minister, Vladimir Putin, becoming his successor.
2014: John Fortune, the comedian made famous on Bremner, Bird and Fortune, died at the age of 74.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
A couple who led the charge to become civil partners rather than husband and wife were among thousands making history by entering into civil partnerships.
BIRTHDAYS:
Sir Anthony Hopkins, actor, 83; Sir Alex Ferguson, former football manager, 79; Sarah Miles, actress, 79; Andy Summers, rock guitarist, 78; Sir Ben Kingsley, actor, 77; Alex Salmond, former Scottish First Minister, 66; Val Kilmer, actor, 61; Steve Bruce, football manager, 60.
YOUR CHRONICLE: If you have any queries regarding the quality of production of this newspaper, please do not hesitate to contact our Newspaper Sales Department on 0191 232 7500 or write to the Newspaper Sales Department, ncjMedia, 2nd Floor, INTU Eldon Square, Eldon Court, Percy Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7JB