ANNIVERSARIES

Births: 1729 Lord Cockburn, Edinburgh- born judge; 1759 George Jacques Danton, French revolutionary leader; 1803 Joseph Hansom, inventor of the hansom cab; 1879 Leon Trotsky, one of founders of Soviet state; 1905 Viscount Muirshiel, formerly Jack Maclay, Scottish Secretary; 1919 Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran 19411979; 1911 Sorley Maclean, poet and teacher; 1911 Mahalia Jackson, gospel singer; 1916 Francois Mitterand, president of France 1981- 1995; 1924 John Campbell Arbuthnott CBE, 16th Viscount of Arbuthnott , Lord Lieutenant of Grampian 1977- 99; 1942 Bob Hoskins, British actor.

Deaths: AD899 Alfred the Great; 1764 William Hogarth, painter and engraver; 1845 Carolina Oliphant ( Lady Nairne), poet and songwriter; 1932: Molly Brown, socialist, activist and Titanic survivor; 1966 Alma Cogan, singer; 1972 Igor Sikorsky, Russianborn American engineer who developed first successful helicopter in 1939.