ON THIS DAY
1709: Samuel Johnson, poet and lexicographer, was born in Lichfield, Staffordshire, the son of a bookseller. His dictionary, which took him eight years to compile, contained some eccentric explanations, such as “Oats: A grain which in England is generally given to horses but in Scotland supports the people.” 1851: The New York Times was first published.
1905: Greta Garbo, the Swedish shop girl who became one of the most legendary film stars of all time, was born. 1948: Some 7,000 tons of food supplies and petrol were airlifted into Berlin by British and American aircraft, defying a three-month Russian blockade. 1949: The British pound was devalued by 30% by Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir Stafford Cripps, from 4.03 dollars to 2.80 dollars. 1970: Musician Jimi Hendrix died in London. He was 27. The inquest ruled cause of death was asphyxia due to barbiturate intoxication.
1976: In China, 800 million citizens paid a last tribute to their leader Mao Tse-Tung at the beginning of a memorial service. For three minutes, one-fifth of the world’s population stood in silence.
ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: US Supreme Court judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg died aged 87.