From the archives

25 YEARS AGO Denis Thatcher tried to persuade his tearful wife to “chuck it all in” when, as education Secretary in 1970, she was branded the “milk-snatcher,” according to a biography just published in the United States. However the author, Christopher Ogden, wrote that Mrs Thatcher looked up and swore: “I’ll see them in hell first.” Mrs Thatcher had decided to end the free milk programme for primary schoolchildren. 50 YEARS AGO The possibility of abolishing the fees at Glasgow Corporation’s five fee-paying schools is being special examined by the executive of the controlling Labour group in the corporation. The report sets out the arguments for and against the retention of fees and contains suggestions on the possible curtailment of the primary courses at the fee-paying Hillhead and Notre Dame primary schools. 100 YEARS AGO The Church of Scotland Social Work Committee have opened a small maternity home at 22 Herbert Street, off North Woodside Road. It is meant for first maternity cases, for young girls who without such a sanctuary would be homeless and friendless and in great peril. 150 YEARS AGO President Johnson has discharged from imprisonment all enlisted men of the Confederate army not above the rank of captain, and those of the navy not above the rank of lieutenant, on taking the oath of allegiance, except those who were excluded by the amnesty proclamation.