SWINDON...

1947: The speed, efficiency and modern equipment of the National Fire Service was displayed to members of the Fire Brigade Committee from Swindon Borough Council at an extensive demonstration at the Fire Station, Cromwell Street, Swindon.

1957: Officials from the newly formed Penhill Amateur Boxing Club were hoping that their first tournament against either an Irish or a Welsh team will be televised. “We want to put Swindon boxing on the map,’’ said Mr J F Smith, the honorary secretary. “Every effort is being made to get the TV people to put our boys under the lights.’’

1977: Four private housing giants were combining in a £30m project for Swindon’s westward expansion. A consortium of three were joined by George Wimpey, Britain’s largest housebuilding company in the development of 232 acres of open countryside.

2013: Swindon Festival of Literature organiser Matt Holland was not a fan of cliches but even he could not resist branding this year’s event the ‘best ever’. The two-week festival rounded off with a spectacular sold-out finale, and organisers and fans alike were dismayed it had to end.

THE WORLD...

1950: Egypt announced that the Suez Canal is closed to Israeli ships and commerce.

1962: A birthday salute to US President John F Kennedy took place at Madison Square Garden, New York. The highlight was Marilyn Monroe's rendition of Happy Birthday.

BORN...

1890: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnamese politician, 1st President of Vietnam

1925: Pol Pot, Cambodian politician, 29th Prime Minister of Cambodia

1939: James Fox, English actor

1942: Robert Kilroy-Silk, English politician and television presenter

1945: Pete Townshend, songwriter and guitarist with The Who

1948: Grace Jones, singer

1953: Victoria Wood, actress and writer

1966: Jodi Picoult, American author

DIED...

1536: Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII

1935: T E Lawrence, military leader

1984: John Betjeman, poet laureate

2006: Freddie Garrity, singer with Freddie and the Dreamers