ON THIS DAY
1711: Ascot became “Royal” with the attendance of Queen Anne at the horse races.
1840: Parliament passed an Act prohibiting the employment of climbing boys as chimney sweeps.
1858: Ottawa was chosen by Queen Victoria to be the capital of Canada.
1876: Mata Hari (Margaretha Zelle), exotic spy who passed secrets to Germany during the First World War, was born. The French arrested her in 1917 and she was killed by firing squad.
1925: British Summer Time became permanent with the passing of the Daylight Saving Act.
1926: The first British Motor Racing Grand Prix was held at the Brooklands track, over a distance of 110 laps and 287 miles.
1957: Oliver Hardy, the comedian who, with his partner Stan Laurel, formed one of the most successful double acts of all time, died.
1958: The Litter Act came into force in Britain.
1981: The Washington Star published it’s final edition after 128 years of publication.
2012: Sir Chris Hoy made Olympic history when he won his sixth gold medal in the frenzied atmosphere of the velodrome.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: As the highly contagious Ebola virus caused concerns, travel across the Rwanda and Congo borders was discouraged.
BIRTHDAYS: Nick Ross, broadcaster, 73; Greg Chappell, former cricketer, 72; Alexei Sayle, comedian, 68; Bruce Dickinson, heavy metal musician, 62; David Duchovny, actor, 60; Brian Conley, comedian/actor, 59; Dominic Cork, former cricketer, 49.