ON THIS DAY
1825: The Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world’s first public passenger service – built by George Stephenson – was inaugurated. 1888: The Central News Agency in London received a letter which began “Dear Boss, I keep on hearing the police have caught me, but they won’t fix me just yet...” It was signed Jack the Ripper, the first time the name had been used. 1930: Bobby Jones of the US won the US National Amateur Championships to complete the first golfing grand slam. 1938: The 80,000-tonne liner Queen Elizabeth was launched at John Brown’s Yard in Clydebank. 1940: Imperial Japan signed a 10-year military and economic alliance, known as the “axis alliance”, with Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. 1960: Bank Underground station in London opened the first travelator, or “moving pavement”, in Europe. 1968: The rock musical Hair opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre, London, the day after censorship in the theatre was lifted. 1979: Dame Gracie Fields, English comedienne, singer and music hall entertainer, died in retirement at her home on the Isle of Capri, Italy, aged 81. 1979: BBC’s Question Time was broadcast for the first time, with Robin Day in the chair. He stayed with the show for 10 years. 1987: The Great Britain and European Ryder Cup Team defeated the US for the first time on US soil to retain the trophy. ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Jeremy Corbyn was given a lesson in harmony – and basic maths – by a 10-year-old violinist during a visit to a youth orchestra. BIRTHDAYS: Nicky Haslam, interior designer, 78; Denis Lawson, actor, 70; Meat Loaf, rock singer and actor, 70; Barbara Dickson, singer, 70; Michele Dotrice, actress, 69; Diane Abbott, Labour MP, 64; Gwyneth Paltrow, actress, 45; Avril Lavigne, singer, 33.