ON THIS DAY
1689:
Death - in the Tower of London - of the despised Judge Jeffreys, who sentenced more than 300 to death at his “bloody assizes”.
American patriot Paul Revere made his famous ride from Charleston to Lexington to warn of the British Army’s advance.
San Francisco was devastated by an earthquake.
The first launderette opened in Fort Worth, Texas. It was called a Washateria.
The League of Nations was formally dissolved, its assets passing to the United Nations.
1775: 1906: 1934: 1946: 1949:
The Republic of Ireland Act came into force as Eire became a republic and withdrew from the British Commonwealth.
Colonel Gamal Abdel Nasser became prime minister and military governor of Egypt, having seized power while President Neguib was away from the capital.
Death of physicist Albert Einstein, one of the most creative intellects in history.
The Sound Of Music won an Oscar after receiving an almost universal panning from the critics.
1954: 1955: 1966:
It grossed £60m in its first year.
London Bridge was sold for £1 million to oil tycoon Robert McCullough. He had it rebuilt at Lake Havasu in the United States.
Rhodesia became the independent nation of Zimbabwe, with Canaan Banana as the country’s first president.
Hayley Mills, actress, 72; Rick Moranis, actor, 65; Jane Leeves, actress, 57; Graham Rowntree, former rugby union player/coach, 47; Melissa Joan Hart, actress, 42; Kourtney Kardashian, 39; America Ferrera, actress, 34.
1968: 1980: BIRTHDAYS: