ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE NOVEMBER 15, 1967
Harold ‘ Kim’ Philby, former head of the Soviet section of the british Secret intelligence Service, admitted in moscow today that he spied for russia for 30 years and said: ‘i would do it again tomorrow.’ He added that the depression and the pre-war split in british socialism led him to devote his life to the ‘fight for communism’.
NOVEMBER 15, 1968
HYSTERICAL chileans almost crushed the Queen and Prince Philip in a few terrifying minutes as police cordons were swept aside by rapturous crowds [on their State visit]. ‘Stop, stop!’ yelled Prince Philip as the excited mob tried to touch Her majesty.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jonny lee miller, 45. the english actor, star of trainspotting and mansfield Park, had a short-lived marriage to angelina Jolie. the bride wore rubber trousers and one of miller’s white t-shirts with his name written on it in blood to their 1996 wedding. miller says they remain great friends. His grandfather was bernard lee, who played m in 11 James bond films. Petula Clark, 85. the Surrey-born downtown singer and actress (pictured) was the first british woman to win a Grammy award. as a child, she entertained World War ii troops on the radio and in concert. of performing into her 80s, she said: ‘the whole obsession with age is something i don’t understand. doing your job well is what matters. i love performing.’
BORN ON THIS DAY
aneurin bevan (1897-1960). the labour minister of health was the architect of the NHS but resigned in 1951 in protest at the introduction of prescription charges for dental care and spectacles. the Welsh-born miner’s son did poorly at school and left at 13 to work in a colliery. a decade later he won a scholarship to study economics, history and politics at college. ERWIN rommel (1891-1944). the German field marshal, nicknamed the desert Fox, aroused respect among his enemies. churchill said in 1942: ‘We have a very daring and skilful opponent against us, and, may i say across the havoc of war, a great general.’ in 1944, rommel was accused of taking part in a plot to assassinate Hitler and was persuaded to take his own life.
ON NOVEMBER 15…
IN 1837, isaac Pitman introduced his shorthand system.
IN 1899, Winston churchill, then a young war correspondent, was captured and imprisoned by boers in South africa.
IN 1984, american baby Stephanie Fae beauclair died three weeks after the world’s first cross-species heart transplant, having been given a baboon’s heart.
WORD WIZARDRY GUESS THE DEFINITION Lagan (coined 1531)
a) an awkward situation. b) Goods thrown overboard but tied to a buoy in order to be found again. c) a young rabbit. PHRASE EXPLAINED Barnstorming: a flamboyantly energetic and successful performance or performer; from actors touring the countryside in the early 19th century, performing in barns.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
My FEAR is that in a totally sane society, madness is the only freedom J. G. Ballard, English science fiction writer (1930-2009)
JOKE OF THE DAY
WHAT do you call an unshaven british spy? Stubble-07. Guess The Definition answer: B.