ON THIS DAY
FROM THE DAILY MAIL ARCHIVE
JULY 10, 1940 HOUSEHOLDS are asked to help with Britain’s aircraft production drive by handing over aluminium kitchenware to the local headquarters of the Women’s Voluntary Services. Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of Aircraft Production, in an appeal states: ‘Give us your aluminium. We will turn your pots and pans into Spitfires and hurricanes, Blenheims and Wellingtons.’
JULY 10, 1997 TONY BLAIR plunged into an emotion-charged political row yesterday by throwing his full authority behind the campaign to ban foxhunting. he stunned the Commons by announcing that he would vote for a private member’s Bill outlawing hunting with hounds. [The hunting ban came into force in 2005.]
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
FIONA SHAW, 62. The Bafta and Olivierwinning Irish actress, who dreamed of being a tennis player, has starred in the harry Potter films, Killing eve and Fleabag. In 2015, she posed naked with a ruby snapper to raise awareness of over-fishing.
VIRGINIA WADE, 75. The tennis star from Bournemouth won 55 singles titles and was the last British woman to win the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles (in 1977). In 2013, David Cameron was criticised for referring in the house of Commons to Andy Murray as ‘the first British player to win Wimbledon in 77 years’, forgetting Wade’s triumph.
BORN ON THIS DAY
GEORGE CLAYTON JOHNSON (19292015). The American science fiction writer wrote the first episode of Star Trek — broadcast in 1966 — and co-wrote the 1967 novel Logan’s Run, which turned into the classic 1976 film. he was described as a hippie, who evangelised about his vegetarianism and campaigned for the legalisation of marijuana. he married his wife of 63 years just two weeks after meeting.
JAKE EBERTS (1941-2012). The Canadian film producer, whose movies won 37 Oscars, made Chariots of Fire, Gandhi, The Killing Fields, Driving Miss Daisy and Dances With Wolves. The latter’s director and star Kevin Costner said: ‘hollywood is full of people who either have intelligence or integrity. Jake is the only one with both.’ The former chemical engineer and investment banker moved to Paris to separate himself from hollywood.
ON JULY 10...
IN 2008, the drum skin used on the cover of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper album sold for $1million (£541,250) at a London auction. IN 2019, the last Volkswagen Beetle came off an assembly line in Mexico.