ON THIS DAY
1867: John Galsworthy, English author, was born in Kingston Hill, Surrey. When his Forsyte Saga was dramatised on BBC TV on Sunday nights in the 1960s, clergymen had to change the times of evening services to get a congregation. 1880: Cologne Cathedral was completed. It was started in 1248. 1893: The world’s first car registration plates were introduced in France. 1908: The first international beauty contest in Britain was held at the Pier Hippodrome in Folkestone. 1945: Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allies. VJ Day was officially celebrated on the following day, August 15. 1948: Don Bradman played his last innings at The Oval. After a standing ovation, he was bowled for a duck – blinded, it is said, by tears in his eyes. 1967: The Marine Broadcasting Act came into force after midnight, outlawing pop pirate radio stations broadcasting within British territorial waters. 1969: British troops were deployed in Northern Ireland to restore order. 1975: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the longest-running release in film history, opened at the USA Theatre in Westwood, Los Angeles, California. 1979: The longest lasting rainbow on record shone over North Wales from the coast of Gwynedd to Clwyd, remaining for more than three hours. 2010: Summer Youth Olympic Games – the first ever Youth Olympics, officially started in Singapore. 2013: Egypt declared a state of emergency after security forces killed hundreds of demonstrators supporting the former president Mohamed Morsi. ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Mo Farah and Laura Trott both made history by winning third Olympic golds at Rio 2016, bringing Team GB’s haul on Super Saturday to eight medals. BIRTHDAYS: Frederic Raphael, novelist, 86; Liz Fraser, actress, 87; David Crosby, rock singer, 76; Steve Martin, comedian/actor, 72; Danielle Steel, writer, 70; Gillian Taylforth, actress, 62; Marcia Gay Harden, actress, 58; Sarah Brightman, singer, 57; Halle Berry, actress, 51; Darren Clarke, golfer, 49; Adrian Lester, actor, 49.