ON THIS DAY

• 1855: Bread riots broke out in Liverpool. The cause was attributed to unemployment among corn porters and dock labourers in the city, whose usual work and wages had been affected by the frost.

• 1878: Thomas Edison patented the phonograph.

• 1897: The Women’s Institute was founded at Stoney Creek, Ontario, by Adelaide Hoodless.

• 1906: In America, William Kellogg formed the Battle Creek Toasted Corn Flake Company to make the breakfast cereal he developed as a health food for mental patients.

• 1942: The Japanese bombed the Australian city of Darwin.

• 1957: Emergency Ward 10, the first continuous TV series, began on ITV – it was shown twiceweekly for 10 years.

• 1976: Iceland broke off diplomatic relations with Britain after the two countries failed to agree on limits in the Cod War fishing dispute.

• 1985: EastEnders began on BBC TV. The highlight was when Arthur Fowler, Ali Osman and Den Watts forced their way into Reg Cox’s flat and found Reg close to death.

• ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri was the biggest success at the Bafta Film Awards with five wins, while Gary Oldman was the only British star to take an acting award.

• BIRTHDAYS: Gwen Taylor, actress, 80; Smokey Robinson, singer, 79; Jeff Daniels, actor, 64; Prince Andrew, Duke Of York, 59; Hana Mandlikova, former tennis player, 57; Seal, singer, 56; Benicio del Toro, actor, 52; Beth Ditto, rock singer (Gossip), 38.