1985
Al Fayed buys Harrods
Great Britain
1969
Death of John Wyndham, British science fiction writer (The Day of the Triffids)
Great Britain
1957
Death of Richard Evelyn Bird, American aviator and explorer
United States
1918
The Russian capital was transferred from Petrograd (now St Petersburg) to Moscow.
Russian Federation
1918
The first case of Spanish ’flu occurred at Fort Riley army camp, Kansas, USA – the start of a devastating worldwide pandemic.
United States
1916
Death of Lady Florence Baker, widow of Sir Samuel Baker the explorer who bought her, aged 14, in a slave market in Hungary in 1859.
Great Britain
1908
Death of Edmondo De Amicis, Italian children’s writer .
Italy
1907
Jessie Matthews born 1907 (died 1981). Actress on stage and in film. From 1963 took over the role of Mrs Dale on the daily wireless serial until it was axed in 1969.
Great Britain
1889
Execution of Jessie King for the separate murder of 2 babies she was paid to look after. She was the last woman executed in Edinburgh.
Great Britain
1820
Death of Benjamin West, American born painter who was president of the Royal Academy in London for many years.
United States
1708
Queen Anne withheld Royal Assent from a militia bill – the last time a British monarch vetoed government legislation.
Great Britain
1702
First English daily newspaper The Daily Courant (till 1735)
Great Britain
1682
The Royal Hospital, Chelsea was founded by Charles II to house army veterans
Great Britain