On this day

1613: The Globe Theatre in London burned down after a cannon was fired during a Shakespeare play and set fire to the straw roof.

1620: After earlier denouncing smoking as a health hazard, King James I banned the growing of tobacco in Britain.

1801: The first census in Britain was carried out showing a population totalling 8,872,000.

1855: The Daily Telegraph was published in London for the first time, priced two pence, with Alfred Bate Richards its first editor.

1868: The Press Association, the UK’s national news agency, was founded in London.

1905: The inaugural meeting of the Automobile Association (AA) took place at the Trocadero Restaurant in London, attended by 50 motorists.

1956: Actress Marilyn Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller.

1960: BBC Television Centre opened in London.

1966: Barclays Bank introduced Barclaycard, the first British credit card.

1986: Richard Branson’s boat Virgin Atlantic Challenger II completed the fastest Atlantic crossing in three days, eight hours and 31 minutes.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Ed Miliband called on successor Jeremy Corbyn to quit as Labour leader, saying his position was “untenable”.

BIRTHDAYS: Charlotte Bingham, novelist, 75; Gary Busey, actor, 73; Nicole Scherzinger, singer, 39; Katherine Jenkins, opera singer, 37.