ON THIS DAY
1792:
The Mint of the United States was established, striking its first silver dollars.
Nelson put a telescope to his blind eye at the Battle of Copenhagen and thus ignored the command to cease fighting. He continued the action until the pro-French Danish fleet was totally subdued.
Hans Christian Andersen, master of the fairytale, was born in Odense, Denmark.
British trains were fitted with toilets – but only in sleeping cars.
The first human cannonball
1801: 1805: 1873: 1877:
act was performed at London’s Amphitheatre, when acrobatic Lady Zazal was shot by elastic springs into a safety net.
The Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst was formed.
Britain’s first TV soap opera, The Grove Family (named after Lime Grove Studios), was transmitted.
Charlotte Brew on Barony Fort became the first woman to ride in a Grand National. Her mount refused at the 27th fence. The winner was Red Rum, scoring his third win, the only horse ever to
1947: 1954: 1977:
do so.
Argentinian forces invaded and occupied the British Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.
Penelope Keith, actress, 80; Linda Hunt, actress, 75; Camille Paglia, social critic and author, 73; Paul Gambaccini, DJ and broadcaster, 71; Linford Christie, former Olympic gold medal-winning athlete and athletics coach, 60; Keren Woodward, singer (Bananarama), 59; Dermot Reeve, former cricketer/commentator, 57; Teddy Sheringham, former footballer, 54.
1982: BIRTHDAYS: