World Events Today
- Pennsylvania Hospital, one of the earliest established public hospitals in the United States, was founded by Benjamin Franklin and Doctor Thomas Bond, today in 1751
- Whilst in office, the British Prime Minister Spencer Perceval was killed today in 1812, he remains the only British prime minister to have been assassinated
- David Cameron and Nick Clegg, formed the Cameron–Clegg coalition today in 2010
Entertainment Events Today
- The surreal British comedy group Monty Python was formed today in 1969, it was made up of Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin
- Cats, the musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, premiered today in 1981 at the New London Theatre in London, it is one of the longest running West End shows ever
- The final episode of the original version of the American television soap opera Dynasty, was aired today in 1989 on the ABC network
Family Events Today
- The British journalist and television presenter Jeremy Paxman, host of many shows including University Challenge, was born today in 1950 in Leeds
- The Jamaican singer-songwriter and reggae music pioneer Bob Marley, died today in 1981 aged 36
- The British intelligence officer Kim Philby, who was also a double agent for the Soviet Union, member of “The Cambridge Five”, died today in 1988 aged 76
Main Event Today
- HMS Beagle, the ship that would later take Charles Darwin on his famous scientific voyage around the world, was launched today in 1818
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Eat What You Want Day