Anniversaries

Births: Thomas Day, philanthropist and author, 1748; George Vancouver, navigator and explorer, 1757; Sir Henry Rider Haggard, novelist, 1856; Michael Todd (Avram Goldenbogen), film producer, 1907.

Deaths: St John Fisher, Bishop of Rochester, executed 1535; Walter John De La Mare, poet and author, 1956; Judy Garland (Frances Gumm), actress and singer, 1969; Fred Astaire (Frederick Austerlitz), actor and dancer, 1987.

On this day: Richard II ascended the English throne, 1377; Queen Elizabeth's Prayer Book was issued, 1559; the first cricket match was played at Lord's Cricket Ground (present site), 1814; Queen Victoria celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, 1897; the Wallace Collection, London, was opened, 1900; the Northern Underground Line, London, was opened, 1907; applications by both East and West Germany to join the United Nations were accepted, 1973.

Today is the Feast Day of St Aaron of Brittany, St Alban of Verulam, St Eberhard of Salzburg, St John Fisher, St Joseph Cafasso, St Paulinus of Nola and St Thomas More.