October 12, 2020 ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE OCTOBER 12, 1939
Armistice Day, for the first time since its inception 20 years ago, will not be celebrated as usual this year. There will be no twominutes silence and the service at the cenotaph and similar celebrations elsewhere will not be held. This announcement was made last night in the following statement: ‘The King has decided that, in view of the outbreak of war, the usual service at the cenotaph shall not be held. in view of the risk of confusion with air-raid warning signals, it will not be possible to signal a two-minutes silence.’
OCTOBER 12, 1982
The £4 million rescue of the Mary Rose came close to disaster twice yesterday.
But each time henry Viii’s flagship escaped harm and last night her wooden hull was safe above water for the first time since she sank 437 years ago.
Shortly before midday yesterday, just as the cheers which welcomed Mary Rose from the sea were subsiding, a loud crack echoed across the Solent. One of the pins holding the top lifting frame had sheared.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Sarah Clarke, 55. The first female Black Rod in the 669 years of the role was born in Wolverhampton. clarke controls access to the house of Lords and is responsible for the ceremonial role of banging on the commons door at the State Opening of Parliament with an ebony rod. LES DENNIS, 67. The comedian from Liverpool hosted Itv’s Family Fortunes and starred in coronation Street. Born Leslie heseltine, his agent told him: ‘Being a gameshow host for years, you become like wallpaper.’ So after 15 years presenting his show, he took a role in a play called Murderer, in which: ‘i killed a girl and took her upstairs and dismembered her in the bath.’
BORN ON THIS DAY
Magnus Magnusson (1929-2007). The icelandic-born, Scottish-based broadcaster asked 64,000 questions during 25 years hosting Mastermind. Although the quiz show’s format was inspired by its producer’s experience as a prisoner of war, Magnusson said: ‘The contenders all say i’m a terrible old softie.’ Ramsay MacDONALD ( 1866- 1937). Labour’s first prime minister was born in Lossiemouth and died on a liner on his way to America to try to sort out his health. The former teacher appointed the first female minister, Margaret Bondfield. in 2006, love letters were unearthed that revealed he had unsuccessfully proposed three times to an earl’s daughter 15 years his junior.
ON OCTOBER 12…
IN 1948, the first edition of the BBC’s Any Questions? was broadcast. IN 1999, the global population reached six billion, according to the united Nations.
WORD WIZARDRY
GUESS THE DEFINITION: Supposititious (c 1610) A) Sullen, shy and repellent in manner. B) hypothetical; spurious; not genuine. c) Restless. Answer below PHRASE EXPLAINED To take an early bath: To stop doing something that you are involved in and leave before you have finished.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
Every generation revolts against its fathers and makes friends with its grandfathers. Lewis Mumford, U.S. cultural critic (1895-1990)
JOKE OF THE DAY
Who are the coolest people at the hospital? The ultra-sound guys. Guess The Definition answer: B.