ON THIS DAY
December 4, 2018
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE DECEMBER 4, 1944
The King spoke on the radio last night, following the Home Guard ‘stand down’ parades all over the country. He said: ‘I am very proud of what the Home Guard have done, and I give my heartfelt thanks to you all. You have served your country with a steadfast devotion. I know that your country will not forget that service.’
DECEMBER 4, 1958
ROY castle and Bruce Forsyth, two big hits of this year’s Royal Variety Show, are to be groomed for stardom. They will head a team of new faces in New look, an hour-long revue planned for ATV. It means that Castle, a 26-year-old Yorkshireman, may soon be able to make the final payment on the house near Blackpool where his parents live.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Jeff Bridges, 69. The Oscar-winning American star of Crazy Heart and True Grit made his screen debut when he was one and has been described as possibly ‘the most natural screen actor that has ever lived’. He says his favourite role was in The Big lebowski, which he admits to watching every time it comes on TV. TYRA BANKS, 45. The U.S. supermodel presented and produced the TV series America’s Next Top Model for 22 seasons. She was the first black woman to appear solo on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, and once said: ‘I made my living being 20-30lb heavier than the average model. Victoria’s Secret said I sold more bras and panties than anybody else.’
BORN ON THIS DAY
DeNNIS Wilson (1944-1983). The U.S. musician was the sex symbol of the Beach Boys, who brought surfing culture to the masses with their music. He dated Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie, who said he had ‘a split personality’: ‘Half of him was like a little boy, the other half was insane.’ He befriended cult leader Charles Manson, even inviting him to move in. Manson was later convicted of seven murders. Edith Cavell (1865-1915). The nurse from Norfolk treated soldiers from both sides during World War I. After helping more than 200 Allied servicemen escape to the Netherlands, she was convicted of treason and executed by the Germans. Her heroism led edith to become a popular name for girls in France and Belgium.
ON DECEMBER 4… IN 1961,
the Museum of Modern Art in New York discovered Henri Matisse’s le Bateau had been hanging upside down for 47 days.
IN 1980, British rock band led Zeppelin announced they were disbanding, following the death of drummer John Bonham.
WORD WIZARDRY GUESS THE DEFINITION: Dipterous (late 18th century) A) Relating to a fly B) Relating to a bat C) Relating to a finch Answer below
Bell, book and candle: Used to accompany a severe reprimand, involving total exclusion or rejection. It derives from ceremonial excommunications from the Roman Catholic Church, with the bell being tolled, the book closed and the candle extinguished.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
I keep fitter than you think. I have my own treadmill at home — I’m only doing widths at the moment. Ronnie Corbett, Scottish comedian (1930-2016)
JOKE OF THE DAY
WHAT do nans eat for breakfast? Granola. Guess The Definition answer: A.