Today in History

[Gemini]

1918

A series of accidental collisions on a misty night, off the Isle of May at the entrance to the Firth of Forth, led to the loss of two Royal Navy submarines and damage to another five British warships. In all 270 people lost their lives.

[Daisy]

What an awful tragedy, Gem, and probably avoidable.

[Gemini]

1965

P.J. Proby, the US rock singer, was banned by ABC Theatres and the BBC after he had deliberately split his trousers during his act. The mainly female audience and the tabloids, who claimed Proby’s act was obscene, went wild. It was the beginning of the end for the flamboyant performer. (Note - We went to a concert that year, but Proby had been banned and was replaced with a then unknown singer called Tom Jones!)

[Gemini]

1999

Glenn Hoddle was sacked as England's football coach after his comments that disabled people were reaping the punishment for something done in a previous life.

I remember this well. I was shocked and felt sure it must be a misquote.
My then OH was a big Spurs fan, and I had always liked Glen Hoddle. He seemed so nice and kind and was always the first to swap shirts with opposing team members. I even gave one of our cats at the time the middle name of Hoddle !

[Daisy]

Gem - it's disappointing when someone you have liked and/or respected proves themselves to be unworthy of your admiration.

At the moment I feel a bit like that about Christ Packham. Last week he broadcast about how he thinks there are too many animals on the New Forest and that they are ruining all the grand old beech trees because they're stripping bark which they are doing because the Forest is being overgrazed. The truth is that yes, they have stripped bark from some trees in as far as I know one area, but it's not for food, and if they took the livestock off the Forest it would change the character of it completely, including habitats for some incredibly rare plants, animals and insects. He's got his facts wrong, but it still got broadcast.

[Gemini]

1935

The first 'League of Ovaltineys' created by the manufacturer of the drink Ovaltine. It became a children's 'secret society', promoting high morals and consideration towards others. At the height of its popularity, there were over five million members . In 1975 the song 'We Are The Ovaltineys' came back to a new audience when it was used by Ovaltine in a TV advertisement and also released as a single record.

[Daisy]

Gem - I remember The Oveltineys (first time round) and treasured my Ovaltine mug. I think there was a programme on the radio for Ovaltineys, but mum never let me listen to the radio. I don't know how they got round the 'no advertising' on the BBC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMyY1hTqTzc

[Gemini]

2013
A skeleton found beneath a Leicester car park in August 2012 was confirmed as that of English king Richard III.
He was reintered at Leicester Cathedral on 26th March 2015 after experts from the University of Leicester said that DNA from the bones matched that of descendants of the monarch's family

[Gemini]

1967

A ban by the Musicians' Union, 'in the cause of decency', stopped The Rolling Stones' latest record Let's Spend the Night Together, from being performed on television.

[Daisy]

Gem, it's amazing how many records were 'off limits' for such reasons. I think the BBC were particularly 'hot' on lyrics they thought naughty or inappropriate.

[Gemini]

1886

While building a cottage for a prospector in the Transvaal, South Africa, an Englishman, George Walker, found a clear streak of gold. It became the richest gold reef in the world.

What a lucky find that was!!

[Gemini]

2002

The Queen's sister, Princess Margaret, aged 71, died in her sleep after suffering a stroke and a heart attack. Her body was laid to rest at Kensington Palace in order for the Royal Family to pay their respects.

I didn't realise she died so young.

[Daisy]

I think she had suffered ill health for many years and was a heavy smoker.

[Gemini]

Yes, she lived the 'party lifestyle' didn't she Daisy?

[Gemini]

1840

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, both aged 20, were married in St James' Palace, London