Anniversaries

Anniversaries

Births: Isaac Watts, hymn writer, 1674; John Jacob Astor, fur trader and merchant, 1763; Sir Donald Francis Tovey, musicologist, 1875; Erle Stanley Gardner, novelist and creator of "Perry Mason", 1889; James Cagney, actor, 1899. Deaths: Adam Smith, political economist and writer, 1790; Charlotte Corday, murderess of the politician Jean Paul Marat, executed 1793; James Abbott McNeill Whistler, painter, 1903; George William Russell (""), poet, 1935; Billie Holiday (Eleanora Holiday), jazz singer, 1959. On this day: the Hundred Years' War ended after the defeat of the English at Castillon, 1453; the Bridgewater Canal, linking Worsley and Manchester, opened, 1761; the humorous magazine Punch was first published, 1841; Dr Robert Bridges became Poet Laureate, 1913; Disneyland opened in California, 1955; Donald Campbell reached a speed of 429.3 mph in his Bluebird car at Lake Eyre, South Australia, 1964. Today is the Feast Day of St Clement of Okhrida and his Companions, St Ennodius, St Kenelm, St Leo IV, Pope, St Marcellina, St Nerses Lampronazi, The Seven Apostles of Bulgaria, St Speratus and his Companions, The Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne and The Martyrs of Scillium.