ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE
AUGUST 7, 1948 DOCTORS who refuse to accept NHS patients — such as children or old people — on the grounds that too much work is involved, were criticised by the British Medical Association yesterday. Earlier, Labour MP Alice Bacon had declared that many doctors were refusing to take on their lists people who needed special attention. AUGUST 7, 1963 THE United States has issued the Common Market countries an ultimatum in the war of the chickens: unless the Six lower the duties on American broilers, it will put reprisal duties on European imports, including lorries, wines, brandy and cheese. ‘Our patience is exhausted,’ the Americans said.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
CHARLIZE THERON, 43. The South African-born actress (right), who won an Oscar for her portrayal of a serial killer in Monster, was 15 when her mother shot dead her alcoholic father in self-defence. As a child, a bout of jaundice caused her dental problems: ‘I had no teeth until I was 11. I had these fangs because I was on so many antibiotics that my teeth rotted.’ BRUCE DICKINSON, 60. The frontman of heavy metal band Iron Maiden is also an author and competes internationally at fencing. A trained pilot, he flies the band’s Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet, Ed Force One, when the band tours. After being treated for cancer of the tongue in 2014, he said: ‘Someone tells you you’re gonna die of tongue cancer…and two years later I’m parking a 747 with Iron Maiden down the side of it and going to sing in front of 50,000 people. If you can’t say I’m really grateful... you’re a pretty weird individual.’
BORN ON THIS DAY
RICK GENEST (1985-2018). Canadian artist, actor and model (right) known as Zombie Boy — his body and face were tattooed as a living skeleton — who starred in a Lady Gaga video in 2011. Last week, six days before his 33rd birthday, he died after falling from the balcony of his home in Montreal. JOHN HEATHCOAT (1783-1861). Derbyshire industrialist who invented lace-making machines. After Luddites attacked his factory in Loughborough, he established a mill in Tiverton, Devon, taking his staff with him — they walked the 180 miles. Many royal wedding veils were made there, including Queen Victoria’s and Princess Diana’s.
ON AUGUST 7…
IN 1840, Parliament banned children under 16 from working as chimney sweeps.
IN 1973, Ugandan dictator Idi Amin said all Asians who were not citizens must leave the country within 90 days. About 30,000 found sanctuary in the UK.
WORD WIZARDRY
GUESS THE DEFINITION: Expergefactor (1823) A) A vow. B) A firework. C) Something that awakens a sleeper. Answer below PHRASE EXPLAINED
At the drop of a hat: Meaning to do something instantly. When men wore hats as a matter of course, they were useful to signal with. Dropping a hat often indicated a fight was about to begin.
QUOTE FOR TODAY
I Am glad I did not go to school — it would have rubbed off some of the originality. Beatrix Potter, English author and illustrator (1866-1943)
JOKE OF THE DAY
My MUM asked me: ‘Anton, do you think I’m a bad mother?’ my name is Paul. Guess The Definition answer: C