Today in History

[Gemini]

1995

Red Rum, three times winner of the Grand National at Aintree, died at the age of 30, an exceptional age for a horse. He was buried at Aintree.

[Daisy]

What an amazing horse he was.

[Gemini]

1991

London's Royal Opera House had to cancel its performance, as orchestra members, pursuing an industrial dispute, refused to wear dinner jackets and turned up in jeans.

[Gemini]

1972

Gordon Banks, England’s star goalkeeper, damaged his eyes in a car crash.

[Daisy]

Poor man. I think he lost his sight in one eye and that ended his career (I only know this because he was playing for Stoke City and was highly thought of by City fans!)

[Gemini]

1961

Malta was granted independence from Britain.

[Gemini]

1936

American Wallis Simpson, the future Duchess of Windsor, was granted a divorce from her second husband Ernest, leaving her free to marry King Edward VIII.

[Daisy]

I think it's quite hard for us to imagine now, what a major piece of news this was in 1936.

[Gemini]

1949

The glove puppet Sooty, with Harry Corbett, made his first appearance on BBC TV.

[Daisy]

I don't suppose there many children with tvs in their homes to watch him, though.

[Gemini]

1951

Zebra crossings came into use for the first time in Britain, in Slough, Berkshire.

[Gemini]

1982

The first edition of 'Countdown' the British TV game show involving word and number puzzles. It was hosted by Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman and was also the first programme to be aired on Channel 4.

[Gemini]

1942

The Church of England relaxed its rule that women must wear hats in church.

[Daisy]

I never knew that wearing hats in church had been compulsory, but my mother in law would never dream of going to church without a hat.

[Gemini]

2010

Tens of thousands of people protested against plans to treble tuition fees and cut university funding in England. The Conservative Party headquarters were stormed and outside, placards and banners were set on fire and missiles were thrown.