SWINDON...

1947: Elsie and Doris Waters (Gert and Daisy) the radio stars who were appearing at the Empire Theatre in Swindon, visited the Stratton Hospital after receiving requests from more than 30 patients in the women’s surgical ward. They moved from bed to bed cheering up patients.

1957: Winner of the Evening Advertiser Dream Kitchen Competition was Dorothy M Ashpool of Walcot. She would receive a Prestige Kitchen tool set in stainless steel. Readers were asked to give their first 10 essential features of the design and equipment of the modern kitchen.

1977: The Lions of Wootton Bassett had a roaring success with their sponsored walk. The 186 walkers raised almost £1,300, although many will retain half their sponsorship cash for their own organisation. The Lions’ Club share would go to the Jubilee Lake project.

2013: The organisers of Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life in Swindon were urging women to enter the afternoon event at Lydiard Park, as the morning event was full.

THE WORLD...

1763: Dr Johnson and James Boswell met for the first time at Tom Davie's bookshop in Russell Street, London.

1770: The Dauphin of France (later Louis XVI) married Marie Antoinette.

1875: The Kentucky Derby was first run at Louisville, Kentucky.

1888: Emile Berliner gave the first demonstration of flat disc recording and reproduction before members of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia.

1919: Pianist and entertainer (Wladziu Valentino) Liberace was born in Wisconsin. His father wanted him to be an undertaker.

1920: Joan of Arc was canonised.

1929: The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in Hollywood – the name Oscar was not used for another few years. Emil Jannings was the first Best Actor and Janet Gaynor Best Actress.

1943: The Mohne, Eder and Sorpe Dams in Germany were attacked by 19 Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron, led by Guy Gibson, using the “bouncing bombs” invented by Dr Barnes Wallis.

1956: Jim Laker, playing for Surrey, took all 10 Australian wickets for 88 in 46 overs at the Oval. A month later, playing for England, he took 19 wickets in the Test match against Australia at Old Trafford.

1983: London police began wheel clamping illegally parked vehicles.

2013: Google denied trying to disguise the way its business operates to minimise its tax bill in the UK, at a Commons public accounts committee.

BORN...

1936: Roy Hudd, comedian.

1948: Judy Finnigan, TV presenter/ columnist.

1951: Christian Lacroix, fashion designer.

1953: Pierce Brosnan, actor.

1955: Olga Korbut, former gymnast.

1955: Hazel O’Connor, singer and actress.

1966: Janet Jackson, soul singer.

1970: Gabriela Sabatini, former tennis player.

1973: Tori Spelling, actress, 41.

DIED...

1703: Charles Perrault, French author/fairy tale writer, dies at 75

1990: Jim Henson, puppeteer (Sesame Street, Muppet Show), dies at 53

1990: Sammy Davis Jr, singer/actor (Golden Boy), dies at 64