Anniversaries

Saturday 20 February 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

TODAY

Births: Honore Daumier, caricaturist and painter, 1808; Dame Marie Rambert, founder of the Ballet Rambert, 1888; Carl Mayer, film director, 1892. Deaths: James I, King of Scotland, assassinated 1437; Luca della Robbia, sculptor, 1482; Nathan Field, actor and playwright, buried 1633; Augustin- Eugene Scribe, playwright, 1861; Percy Aldridge Grainger, composer, 1961; Robert Oxton Bolt, playwright and screenwriter, 1995. On this day: Austria declared herself bankrupt, 1811; a great storm raged in England, with much damage to the Crystal Palace, while the steeple of Chichester Cathedral was blown away, 1861; Anthony Eden resigned as British Foreign Secretary, 1938; John Glenn, astronaut, was launched into space in the Mercury capsule Friendship 7, 1962; new-design pounds 10 notes were issued, showing a portrait of Florence Nightingale, 1975. Today is the Feast Day of St Eleutherius of Tournai, St Eucherius of Orleans, St Sadoth, Saints Tyrannio, Zenobius and their Companions and St Wulfric.

TOMORROW

Births: Peter III, Tsar of Russia, 172; Carl Czerny, pianist, teacher and writer, 1791; John Henry Newman, Cardinal, 1801; Charles-Marie Jean- Albert Widor, organist and composer, 1845; Sacha Guitry, actor, playwright and director, 1885; Anais Nin, writer, 1903; Wystan Hugh Auden, poet, 1907; Douglas Bader, Second World War fighter pilot, 1910; Tad Dameron (Tadley Ewing Peake), jazz pianist, composer and arranger, 1917. Deaths: Pope Julius II, 1513; Jethro Tull, agricultural writer, 1741; Kurt Eisner, Bavarian premier, assassinated in Munich 1919; George Ellery Hale, astronomer, 1938; Malcolm X (Little), black leader, murdered 1965. On this day: freedom of worship was established in France, 1795; the first republic of Cuba was founded, 1901; the British protectorate over Egypt ended, 1922; the New Statesman was founded, 1931; it was announced that British women aged 60 and over would receive the Old Age Pension, 1940; identity cards were abolished in Britain, 1952; in the United States, John Ehrlichman, H.R. Haldeman and John Mitchell were sentenced after the Watergate affair, 1975. Tomorrow is the Feast Day of St George of Amastris, St Germanus of Granfel, St Peter Damian, St Robert Southwell and St Severian of Scythopolis.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in