Anniversaries

Births: Henry III, King, 1207; Paul I, Tsar of Russia, 1754; Sir Robert Smirke, architect, 1781; Annie Besant, social reformer and theosophist, 1847; Stanley Holloway, actor and entertainer, 1890; Laurence Harvey (Laruska Mischa Skikne), actor, 1928; Louis Untermeyer, author and editor, 1885.

Deaths: Marsilio Ficino, scholar and philosopher, 1499; Pierre Corneille, playwright, 1684; Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, painter, 1873; Anthony Ashley Cooper, seventh Earl of Shaftesbury, social reformer, 1885; Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator for children, 1962; Roy Harris, composer, 1979; Don Banks, composer, 1980.

On this day: the Colloquy of Marburg between religious reformers began, 1529; Spain ceded Louisiana to France, 1800; the News of the World was first published, 1843; Garibaldi defeated the Neapolitans at the river Volturno, 1860; halfpenny postage was introduced in Britain, 1870; stamped postcards were first issued in Britain, 1870; Chicago University was inaugurated and opened to students, 1892; Henry Ford introduced the Model T, 1908; the People's Republic of China was proclaimed, 1949; Nigeria became independent, 1960; the Watergate trial started, 1974.

Today is the Feast Day of St Bavo or Allowin, St Melorus or Mylor, St Remigius or Remi, St Romanus the Melodist and St Therese of Lisieux.