ON THIS DAY
NATIONAL DAY OF ITALY 1740: The Marquis de Sade, French aristocrat whose lifestyle gave rise to the word sadism, was born in Paris. 1840: Thomas Hardy, English novelist and poet, was born in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, where his father was a stonemason. Most of his stories are based in Dorset (Wessex). 1857: Composer Sir Edward Elgar was born in Broadheath, Worcestershire. 1868: The first Trades Union Congress was held in Manchester. 1896: Marconi patented his broadcasting system using electromagnetic waves. 1938: Robert and Edward Kennedy, youngest sons of the American Ambassador to London, opened the children’s zoo in Regent’s Park. Children were charged sixpence to watch chimpanzees have a tea party. 1941: Clothes rationing was introduced in Britain and not lifted until 1949. Some 60 clothes coupons were allowed each year for all except baby clothes. One dress used 11 coupons, and a man’s suit took 26. 1946: Italy abolished its monarchy and became a republic. 1953: Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey on a dull, showery day. It was the first coronation to be televised. 1954: Lester Piggott, at 18, became the youngest jockey to win the Derby when he rode Never Say Die to victory at Epsom. The colt, a 33-1 outsider, won by two lengths. 1997: Timothy McVeigh was convicted on 15 counts of murder and conspiracy for his role in the 1995 Oklahoma bombing. ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Former BHS owner Sir Philip Green said he was “saddened and disappointed” to learn the retailer would disappear, resulting in up to 11,000 job losses after administrators failed to find a buyer. BIRTHDAYS: Sally Kellerman, actress, 80; Stacy Keach, actor, 76; Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, 76; Joanna Gleason, actress, 67; Tony Hadley, singer (Spandau Ballet), 57; Mark and Steve Waugh, former cricketers, 52; Jon Culshaw, comedian, 49; Zachary Quinto, actor, 40; Dominic Cooper, actor, 39.