IT HAPPENED TODAY
1836:
The Alamo fell to Mexican forces under Santa Anna. Legendary frontiersmen Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie both died in the 12-day battle.
1899:
Chemist Felix Hoffmann patented the world’s most famous pain-relief drug, aspirin.
1926:
The Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-upon-Avon was engulfed by flames, leaving only a blackened shell.
1930:
Clarence Birdseye marketed the first frozen foods in the US.
1944:
US planes from bases in Britain began daylight bombing raids on Berlin.
1951:
Ivor Novello (David Ivor Davies, top), Welsh-born composer, playwright and actor, died in his flat above the Strand Theatre in London.
1961:
George Formby (below), film star and music hall artist, who sang comic songs and accompanied himself on the banjo, died.
1987:
The ferry Herald of Free Enterprise capsized with her bow door open leaving Zeebrugge harbour — 193 died.
1988:
Three IRA terrorists were shot dead by SAS soldiers in Gibraltar.
1997:
A gunman stole Tete de Femme, a million-dollar Picasso portrait, from a London gallery. The painting was recovered a week later.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
Entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that his dream of an express tunnel transit system could finally become a reality in Las Vegas after major setbacks in other cities.
BIRTHDAYS:
Jean Boht, actress, 88; Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano, 76; David Gilmour (below), Pink Floyd guitarist, 74; Kiki Dee, singer, 73; Rob Reiner, actor/director, 73; Tom Arnold, actor, 61; Moira Kelly, actress, 52; Shaquille O’Neal, former basketball player, 48; Rufus Hound, actor/comedian, 41.