IT HAPPENED TODAY
1763:
Dr Johnson and James Boswell met for the first time at Tom Davie’s bookshop in Russell Street, London.
1770:
The Dauphin of France (later Louis XVI) married Marie Antoinette.
1875:
The Kentucky Derby was first run at Louisville, Kentucky.
1888:
Emile Berliner gave the first demonstration of flat disc recording and reproduction before members of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia.
1919:
Pianist and entertainer (Wladziu Valentino) Liberace (above) was born in Wisconsin.
1920:
1929:
1943:
1956:
1983:
1991:
2007:
Joan of Arc was canonised.
The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in Hollywood — the name Oscar was not used for another few years.
The Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in Germany were attacked by 19 Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron, led by Guy Gibson, using the “bouncing bombs” invented by Dr Barnes Wallis.
Jim Laker, playing for Surrey, took all 10 Australian wickets for 88 in 46 overs at the Oval. A month later, playing for England, he took 19 wickets in the Test match against Australia at Old Trafford.
London police began wheel clamping illegally parked vehicles.
Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the US Congress.
Nicolas Sarkozy (above) took office as President of France.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR:
A woman made history by becoming the youngest British climber to scale Mount Everest from both sides.
BIRTHDAYS:
Roy Hudd, comedian, 82; Judy Finnigan, TV presenter/columnist, 70; Christian Lacroix, fashion designer, 67; Pierce Brosnan, actor, 65; Olga Korbut, former gymnast, 63; Hazel O’Connor, singer and actress, 63; Debra Winger, actress, 63; Janet Jackson (below), singer, 52; Gabriela Sabatini, former tennis player, 48