Anniversaries

Anniversaries

Births: Vespasian, Roman Emperor, AD 9; Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber, composer, 1786; Louis-Jacques Mande Daguerre, photographic pioneer, 1789; Nils Adolf Erik Nordenskjold, Arctic explorer, 1832; Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, playwright and librettist, 1836; Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett, Baron Blackette, physicist, 1897; George Horace Gallup, public opinion pollster, 1901; John Herndon (Johnny) Mercer, composer and singer, 1909. Deaths: Reginald, Cardinal Pole, 1558; Dr Thomas Frognall Dibdin, bibliographer, 1847; Chester Alan Arthur, 21st US president, 1886; Marcel Proust, writer, 1922; Thomas Power O'Connor, journalist and politician, 1929; Niels Henrik David Bohr, physicist, 1962; Mervyn Laurence Peake, writer and artist, 1968; Walter Wanger (Feuchtwanger), film producer, 1968; Ted Heath, bandleader, 1969. On this day: William Caxton issued his first dated, printed book, 1477; St Peter's, Rome, was consecrated, 1626; the first Mickey Mouse cartoon - Steamboat Willie - was shown, 1928; fire broke out at King's Cross underground station, and 30 people died, 1987; Terry Waite, held hostage in Beirut for four years, was released, 1991. Today is the Feast Day of St Mawes or Maudez, St Odo of Cluny and St Romanus of Antioch.