On this day

1796: Robert Burns, national poet of Scotland, died in Dumfries, aged 37, from endocarditis induced by rheumatism.

1868: Harry Relph, English music hall star better known as Little Tich, was born. Hewas 4ft 6in tall and had six digits on each hand.

1896: The first Royal Command Film Performance was held atMarlborough House, London, when an assortment of 20 filmswas shown to 40 guests. 1897: The Tate Gallery in Londonwas officially opened, built on the site of the formerMillbank Prison. 1904: The Trans-Siberian railwaywas completed. The 4,607 miles of track took 13 years to lay.

1960: Francis Chichester – later Sir – docked in New York in Gypsy Moth II, setting a new record of 40 days for a solo Atlantic crossing. 1962: The Rolling Stones made their first appearance, at theMarquee club in London.

1984: The man who popularised jogging, James Fixx, had a heart attack and diedwhile out running in Vermont. Hewas 52.

2011: America’s space shuttle programme passed into historywith thewords “wheels stop” crackling over the cockpit radio for the last time. In an end to the 30-year-old programme, Atlantis and its four astronauts glided to a landing after one last visit to the International Space Station, completing the 135th and final shuttle flight.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: Prince George’s second birthdaywas marked by the release of an official picture showing the toddler smiling as he is held by his proud, beaming father.