World Events Today
- According to legend, William Tell, an expert marksman, shot an apple off the head of his son today in 1307
- Over 1 million people witnessed the state funeral of the Duke of Wellington today in 1852, he was buried in Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London
- Terry Waite, an envoy for the Church of England, was released after 1,763 days in captivity today in 1991, he was kidnapped whilst on a mission to Lebanon to secure the release of four other hostages
Entertainment Events Today
- The short animated movie Steamboat Willie, starring Mickey Mouse, was released today in 1928
- The epic historical drama movie Ben-Hur, starring Charlton Heston, was released today in 1959, it went on to win 11 Academy Awards
- The rock band U2 released their seventh studio album, Achtung Baby, today in 1991, it included the tracks Mysterious Ways, One and The Fly
Family Events Today
- The English pop singer Kim Wilde, whose hits included Kids in America and You Keep Me Hanging On, was born today in 1960 in London
- Brian May, CBE, lead guitarist of the rock band Queen, married EastEnders British soap opera actress Anita Dobson today in 2000, at the Richmond Register Office
- The New Zealand Rugby Union star Jonah Lomu died today in 2015, in Auckland, aged 40
Main Event Today
- The Battle of the Somme, of World War I, which lasted 140 days and claimed over 1 million lives, came to an end today in 1916, with no real victor
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Princess Day