ON THIS DaY

EVE OF MICHAELMAS: At one time in the Scottish highlands, this was called Crack-Nut day and nuts were eaten in churches.

■490BC: The original Marathon was won by a breathless messenger who ran 24 miles from the scene of the Battle of Marathon to the city of Athens. “Rejoice, we conquer,” he gasped – then dropped dead.

■929: King Wenceslaus of Bohemia, Good King Wenceslas of the Christmas carol, was murdered by his younger brother, Boleslaw.

■1573: Caravaggio, Italian painter, was born in Italy.

■ ■1685: Judge Jeffreys was appointed Lord Chancellor of England.

■ ■1745: God Save The King was first performed at Drury Lane Theatre, arranged by Thomas Arne.

■1865: Elizabeth Garrett Anderson qualified to become Britain’s first practising woman doctor.

■ ■1923: The Radio Times was first published.

■ ■1964: Harpo Marx, above, the silent one who chased girls and played the harp, died aged 75.

■ ■1978: Pope John Paul I died after only 33 days as Pontiff.

■ ■1991: Miles Davis, the legendary jazz trumpeter, died aged 65. He invented an entirely new sound which became known as “cool” jazz.

■ ■ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Fans, aspiring writers and famous names including Mark Billingham, Martina Cole, Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves, Don Winslow, Robert Glenister, gathered in London for the Capital Crime Festival.

■ ■BIRTHDAYS: Sir Jeremy Isaacs, TV producer and former general director of the Royal Opera House, 88; Brigitte Bardot, actress and animal rights activist, 86; Helen Shapiro, singer, 74; Jon Snow, journalist, 73; Jennifer Rush, singer, 60; Janeane Garofalo, actress and comedian, 56; Mira Sorvino, actress, 53; Mika Hakkinen, former racing driver, 52; Carre Otis, model and actress, 52; Naomi Watts, actress, 52; Hilary Duff, actress and singer, 33.

The recycled paper content of UK newspapers in 2016 was 62.8%