swindon

1952: The Rev WJ Ringer used lantern slides to illustrate his lecture on the North-West Frontier of Pakistan at Swindon Evangelical Church in Devizes Road. Mr Ringer had served on the frontier since 1938, and had previously spent a decade in Swindon which included time as a student at the church.

1962: More than 2,000 Swindon railwaymen formed an orderly line in Emlyn Square before marching through the town in protest at threatened mass redundancies throughout the industry. As they marched they were joined by other railwaymen, workers and members of the public who wanted to show solidarity.

1972: Swindon motorists’ standard of driving in morning fog earned praise from Borough Road Safety Officer Ted Beauchamp, who said most carefully used their lights and drove at sensible speeds.

world

1226: St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan order, died.

1906: SOS was established as an international distress signal, replacing the call sign CDQ.

1941: The aerosol was patented by LD Goodhue and WN Sullivan.

1952: Britain’s first atomic weapon was exploded in the Monte Bello Islands, off Australia.

1956: The Bolshoi Ballet appeared at Covent Garden for the first time.

1959: The postcode, required in the addressing of mail for mechanical sorting, was first used in Britain in Norwich.

BIRTHDAYS

Steve Reich, composer, 82; Chubby Checker, singer, 77; Lindsey Buckingham, musician, 69; Fred Couples, golfer, 59; Tommy Lee, rock musician, 56; Gwen Stefani, singer, 49.