ON THIS DAY
September 22,2020
SEPTEMBER 22, 1955
At 7.05 tonight a quiet voice will say: ‘this is london,’ and television in Britain will acquire a new dimension. at 7.05 tonight Independent television [ITV] makes its bow. It has been estimated at least three million people will see the opening show.
SEPTEMBER 22, 1980
HOUSEWIVES, John lennon knows just how you feel. for years the ex-Beatle and his wife Yoko swapped roles. He baked the bread and babysat for son sean; she looked after the vast family fortunes, including five flats and six luxury homes. ‘Yoko became the breadwinner, taking care of bankers and deals. and I became the housewife. It was like one of those reversal comedies,’ he said.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
RUTH JONES, 54. the actress from Bridgend co- starred in and co-wrote Gavin & stacey, which won the Bafta for Must- see Moment 2020 when her character Nessa proposed to James Corden’s smithy. she went to school with Gavin & stacey’s rob Brydon, and Catherine ZETAJONES. ruth Jones said: ‘If I could change one thing about myself ... it would be my lack of confidence.’ BILLIE PIPER, 38. the actress from swindon won a modelling competition for magazine smash Hits at 15, then gained a record contract and became the youngest person ever to go straight to number one with her first single. at 18, she met broadcaster Chris Evans and they married six months later in las Vegas. after taking up acting and starring in doctor Who, she was soon described as ‘Britain’s youngest national treasure’.
BORN ON THIS DAY
ARTHUR LOWE ( 19151982). the actor, descended from a long line of butlers, played pompous bank manager Captain Mainwaring in dad’s army. His first wish — to join the Merchant Navy — was thwarted when he was rejected because of poor eyesight. In later life he suffered from narcolepsy, frequently falling asleep between takes. DAME CHRISTABEL PANKHURST (18801958). suffragette leader Emmeline Pankhurst’s eldest daughter also led the votes for women movement. favouring a more militant approach, the law graduate encouraged the heckling of MPs and vandalism. When a warrant was issued for her arrest for conspiracy to commit damage, she fled to france. later in life she emigrated to the u.s. and became a Christian preacher.
ON SEPTEMBER 22…
IN 1980, Iran was invaded by Iraq, marking the start of an eight-year war.
IN 2000, liam Gallagher and Patsy Kensit’s three-year marriage ended with the granting of a decree nisi after the actress cited the oasis singer’s unreasonable behaviour.
WORD WIZARDRY
GUESS THE DEFINITION: Vicinage (coined late 13th century)
a) a neighbourhood, district or region. B) a church congregation. C) Wine dregs let over after bottling. answer below
PHRASE EXPLAINED: Yada yada —
Meaningless chat; this u.s. phrase first appeared in the first half of the 20th century and is thought to derive from ‘yatter’, meaning to talk incessantly or to chatter.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
Nothing is more dangerous than an idea, when you have only one idea.
Émile Chartier, French writer (1868-1951)
JOKE OF THE DAY
Most people get a shock when they find out … how incompetent I am as an electrician.
Guess the Definition answer: A.