Anniversaries

Births: Baron Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz, philosopher and mathematician, 1646; George Sand (Amandine- Aurore Lucile (Dupin), Baronne Dudevant), novelist, 1804; Louis Bleriot, aviator, 1872; Charles Laughton, actor, 1899; Amy Johnson, aviator, 1903.

Deaths: Charles Goodyear, inventor, 1860; Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1896; Erik Alfred- Leslie Satie (Eric Satie), composer, 1925; Alphonse Marie-Leon Daudet, novelist, 1942; Carl Mayer, screenwriter and film director, 1944; Juan Domingo Peron, Argentinian president, 1974.

On this day: the Crusaders defeated the Turks at the Battle of Dorylaeum, 1097; Sir Thomas More was put on trial, 1535; the United States issued its first adhesive postage stamps (5 cents and 10 cents), 1847; addressing the Linnean Society, Charles Darwin announced his theory of evolution, 1858; the Dominion of Canada was established, 1867; Queen Victoria unveiled the Albert Memorial in London, 1872; the Klondike gold rush began in the United States, 1897; the Union of South Africa was formed, with Dominion status, 1910; the first conscripts in Britain were called up, 1939; Jersey was occupied by German forces, 1940; the Bretton Woods Conference to discuss international monetary policy was started, 1944; the first tests of nuclear bombs began over Bikini Atoll, 1946; Burundi and Rwanda became independent, 1962; the BBC began colour broadcasts and showed tennis from Wimbledon, 1967; the Prince of Wales's Investiture was held at Caernarfon Castle, 1969; Maria Estela Peron became president of Argentina, 1974.

Today is the Feast Day of Saints Aaron and Julius, St Carilephus or Calais, St Eparchius or Cybard, St Gall of Clermont, St Oliver Plunket, St Servanus or Serf, St Shenute, St Simeon Salus and St Thierry or Theodoric of Mont d'Or.