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.

● 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: 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: A boat carrying migrants to Greece sunk off the Turkish coast, leaving at least 12 dead, Turkey’s coast guard said.

● BIRTHDAYS: Ken Loach, TV and film director, 84; Barry Manilow, singer, 77; Ken Livingstone, former London mayor, 75; Greg Kinnear, actor, 57.