ON THIS DAY
IT’S DAY 341 OF 2016
THE earliest recorded use of a crossbow was in 341BC at the Battle of Ma-Ling, Linyi, China, according to Guinness Records. The weapons were not introduced to England until the Normans arrived in 1066. IN 2015 — the year in which the Queen overtook Victoria to become the longestreigning monarch in British history — Her Majesty carried out 341 engagements. This was more than the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry combined.
THERE ARE 25 DAYS LEFT
Your body could lift 25 tons — if only you could use the combined force of all your 600 muscles at the same time. ACCENTS in the UK change noticeably every
25 miles, according to David Crystal, professor of linguistics the university of Wales. IT’S a tradition in Denmark, if your friends are still unmarried when they turn 25 years
old, to douse them in cinnamon. It’s pepper if you’re still single at 30.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
ANDREW FLINTOFF, 39. The Preston-born cricketer, better known as Freddie, played for England for 12 years before more recently trying his hand at boxing. He didn’t return home from India for the birth of his son because he was given the chance to captain his country. His wife said: ‘When he’s older and asks: “Where were you at my birth?” you can say: “Well, I was actually captaining England!” ’ Flintoff added: ‘Hopefully, he’ll be all right with that.’ NICK PARK, 58. The animator, also born in Preston, has been described as Lancashire’s ‘answer to Walt Disney’. He created Wallace ( right) and Gromit while studying at film school and has gone on to win five Baftas and four Academy Awards. He forgot to pack a bow tie to collect his first Oscar, for Creature Comforts, so made one out of wrapping paper and sticky tape.
BORN ON THIS DAY
DAVE BRUBECK (1920-2012). The pioneering American jazz pianist and composer wrote a number of classics of the genre including the 1959 single Take Five, although he claimed that 90 per cent of his band’s songs were made up as they went along. Before turning to music, he had begun training as a vet. BABY FACE NELSON (1908-1934). The American bank robber (real name Lester J. Gillis) earned his nickname from fellow criminals because he was only 5ft 4in tall. He murdered three FBI agents in the line of duty — more than anyone in history. He was named Public Enemy No 1 and was eventually killed by agents in a shoot-out. Mickey Rooney (pictured) played Nelson in an eponymous 1958 film.
ON DECEMBER 6 . . .
IN 1983, Britain’s first heart and lung transplant operation was successfully carried out on Swedish journalist Lars Ljunberg at Harefield Hospital, North-West London, but he died 13 days later — as a result of the pulmonary hypertension from which he had been suffering before surgery.
IN 1994, after studies suggested there could be up to £1 billion worth of oil lying beneath Windsor Castle, the Queen gave permission for drilling to take place in its grounds. But the Government did not renew the licence needed for exploration to take place.