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
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