NATIONAL DAY OF ITALY
1740: The Marquis de Sade, French aristocrat whose lifestyle gave rise to the word sadism, was born in Paris.
1840: Thomas Hardy, English novelist and poet, was born in Higher Bockhampton, Dorset, where his father was a stonemason. Most of his stories are based in Dorset (Wessex) and his dog was called Wessex.
1857: Composer Sir Edward Elgar was born in Broadheath, Worcs.
1868: The first Trades Union Congress was held in Manchester.
1896: Marconi patented his broadcasting system using electromagnetic waves.
1938: Robert and Edward Kennedy, youngest sons of the American Ambassador to London, opened the children's zoo in Regent's Park. Children were charged sixpence to watch chimpanzees have a tea party.
1941: Clothes rationing was introduced in Britain and not lifted until 1949. Some 60 clothes coupons were allowed each year for all except baby clothes. One dress used 11 coupons, and a man's suit took 26.
1946: Italy abolished its monarchy and became a republic.
1953: Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in Westminster Abbey on a dull, showery day. It was the first coronation to be televised.
1954: Lester Piggott, at 18, became the youngest jockey to win the Derby when he rode Never Say Die to victory at Epsom. The colt, a 33-1 outsider, won by two lengths.
On this day last year: England's footballers made a disappointing start to their World Cup campaign when they drew 1-1 with Sweden.
BIRTHDAYS: Sally Kellerman, actress, 66; Ex-King Constantine of Greece, 63; Stacy Keach, actor, 62; Charlie Watts, Rolling Stones drummer, 62; Marvin Hamlisch, composer, 59; Joanna Gleason, actress, 53; Tony Hadley, singer (Spandau Ballet), 43; Mark and Steve Waugh, cricketers, 38.
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