ON THIS DAY
1763: Dr Johnson and James Boswell met for the first time at Tom Davie’s bookshop in Russell Street, London.
1875: The Kentucky Derby was first run at Louisville, Kentucky.
1888: Emile Berliner gave the first demonstration of flat disc recording.
1929: The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in Hollywood.
1943: 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.
1956: Jim Laker, playing for Surrey, took all 10 Australian wickets for 88 in 46 overs at the Oval.
1983: London police began wheel clamping illegally parked vehicles.
2007: Nicolas Sarkozy took office as President of France.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: The largest cruise ship built for the UK market – with capacity for 5,200 passengers – arrived in Southampton.