Anniversaries

TODAY: Births: Sir John Tenniel, artist and illustrator, 1820; Linus Carl Pauling, double Nobel prizewinner, 1901. Deaths: Henry James, novelist, 1916; Ruby Ethel Keeler, actress, 1993. On this day: Ladysmith was relieved, 1900; the last British troops left India, 1948; a general election in Britain resulted in no overall majority, 1974. Today is the Feast Day of the Martyrs of the Plague at Alexandria, St Hilarus, pope, St Lupicinus, St Oswald of Worcester, St Proterius and St Romanus.

TOMORROW: Births: Frederic-Francois (Fryderyk Franciszek) Chopin, composer, 1810; Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, architect, 1812; James David Graham Niven, actor, 1910. Deaths: Thomas Campion, poet and composer, 1620; George Herbert, clergyman and poet, 1633; Gabriele D'Annunzio, poet, politician and playwright, 1938. On this day: Vasco da Gama discovered Mozambique, 1498. Tomorrow is the Feast Day of St Aubin or Albinus of Angers, St David or Dewi, St Felix III, Pope, St Rudesind or Rosendo and St Swithbert.