World Events Today
- The British politician Betty Boothroyd, became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House of Commons today in 1992, a role she would hold for 8 years
- The “double-decker” Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger airliner, flew its maiden flight today in 2005
- After much coercion, The White House released copies of the birth certificate of the President of the United States, Barack Obama, today in 2011, it ended rumours he was not born in the United States
Entertainment Events Today
- The German composer Ludwig van Beethoven, composed the famous piano piece Für Elise, today in 1810
- London Zoo in Regent’s Park, one of the oldest zoos in the world, opened today in 1828
- Rocco Francis Marchegiano, better known as the American boxer Rocky Marciano, retired today in 1956, the only heavyweight champion to have finished his career undefeated
Family Events Today
- The American painter and inventor Samuel Morse, co-developer of Morse code, was born today in 1791 in Massachusetts
- The American general Ulysses S Grant, who served as the 18th President of the United States from 1869 to 1877, was born today in 1822
- The American cartoonist, animator and producer Walter Benjamin Lantz, founder of Walter Lantz Productions and creator of Woody Woodpecker, was born today in 1899 in New York
Main Event Today
- The first stone of the new Palace of Westminster in London, was laid today in 1840, the building now serves as the House of Commons and the House of Lords
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Prime Rib Day