ON THIS DAY
721BC: The first recorded eclipse was observed by the Babylonians, according to the Greek astronomer Ptolemy. 1813: Dr David Livingstone, missionary and explorer (the first European to see the Victoria Falls on the Zambesi), was born in Blantyre, Lanarkshire. 1834: The six Tolpuddle Martyrs, who fought the decline of agricultural wages, were sentenced to seven years’ transportation to Tasmania. Public outcry had them released after two years. 1920: The US Senate rejected for a second time the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and prevented the US joining the League of Nations, fearing they would have to go to war again if another member state was invaded. 1932: Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened. It was the world’s longest single-span arch bridge. 1976: Princess Margaret and the Earl of Snowdon announced their separation after 16 years of marriage. 1986: Buckingham Palace announced the engagement of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson. . 1988: Two British soldiers who blundered into an IRA funeral cortege in West Belfast were killed by a lynch mob. 1992: Buckingham Palace confirmed that the Duchess of York was seeking a divorce from Prince Andrew.
. BIRTHDAYS Philip Roth, novelist, 83; Ursula Andress, actress, 80; Mario Monti, former Italian prime minister, 73; Glenn Close, actress, 69; Bruce Willis, actor, 61; Terry Hall, singer (The Specials), 57; Warren Barton, former footballer, 47; Kolo Toure, footballer, 35. QUOTES OF THE DAY “Groups of teenage girls on crowded buses. They are always so out of control that there is danger in the air” – Camp comedian Julian Clary on his pet hate.
“The world has changed today. It’s way more profound than you can imagine” – Campaigning chef Jamie Oliver gets carried away by the Budget tax on sugary drinks. “The Budget has been prey to more spin than a whirling dervish in a washing machine” – Shadow leader of the Commons Chris Bryant. “Noel Coward said work is more fun than fun, but then he didn’t work in the Birds Eye factory packing frozen fish fingers nine hours a day, did he?” – Comedian Paul O’Grady. “Stand-up comedy is like sex with your missus – better if you just let her get on with it on her own” – How comedienne Laura Lexx dealt with a heckler. “I tend to play rather odd men” – Rowan Atkinson of Mr Bean fame. “You have still got your hands, arms and legs” – The Duke of Edinburgh talking to lion keepers at London Zoo.