World Events Today
- The Book of Common Prayer, the first prayer book to include complete forms of service for daily and Sunday worship in English, was adopted by the Church of England today in 1549
- Bhumibol Adulyadej became the King of Thailand today in 1946, he reigned until his death in 2016, over 70 years
- Margaret Thatcher won the United Kingdom general election which was held today in 1983, it meant she would serve a second term as Prime Minister
Entertainment Events Today
- Walt Disney’s Donald Duck appeared for the first time today in 1934, it was in the cartoon The Wise Little Hen, this day is also considered to be his birthday
- Princeton University awarded the American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan an honorary Doctorate of Music today in 1970
- The American boxer Larry Holmes beat Ken Norton in Las Vegas today in 1978, he became world heavyweight champion
Family Events Today
- The English author Charles Dickens, one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian era, died today in 1870 aged 58
- Michael Andrew Fox, better known as the Canadian actor Michael J Fox, who played Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies, was born today in 1961 in Alberta
- The American actor Johnny Depp, who starred in many movies, including Edward Scissorhands and Pirates of the Caribbean, was born today in 1963 in Kentucky
Main Event Today
- China agreed to lease Hong Kong to the United Kingdom for 99 years today in 1898
National Day Today
- Today, it’s National Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day