Today in History for 20th May 2024

[CoM Moderators]

Historical Events

1217 - Second Battle of Lincoln fought near Lincoln, England, resulting in the defeat of Prince Louis of France by William Marshal, 2nd Earl of Pembroke
1347 - Rienzo calls Rome for people's tribunal
1903 - Britain's House of Commons begins a debate on the charges of poor administration and ill treatment of natives in Belgium's colony in the Congo Free State
1911 - Edwin Boaler Alletson hits 189 in 90 mins Notts v Sussex
1967 - BBC bans the Beatles' "A Day in the Life" because of drug references
1973 - 2 motorcycle racers killed and a dozen injured in a crash during the 1973 Nations Grand Prix in Monza,Italy

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Famous Birthdays

1726 - Francis Cotes, English painter (d. 1770)
1922 - Clifford Charles Butler, English physicist (hyperon and meson types of particles) and vice chancellor of Loughborough University, born in Reading, England (d. 1999)
1936 - Anthony Zerbe, Cal, actor (Harry-O, Centennial, They Call Me Mr Tibbs)
1943 - Al Bano [Albano Carrisi], Italian-Albanian pop singer, actor, and winemaker, born in Cellino San Marco, Italy
1943 - Iain Vallance [Baron Vallance of Tummel], CEO (British Telecom)
1964 - Earl Charles Spencer, English peer, brother of Diana, Princess of Wales, born in London, England

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Famous Deaths

1722 - Sébastien Vaillant, French botanist, dies at 52
1942 - Hector Guimard, French Art Nouveau architect and designer (entrances to Paris Metros),
1949 - Randolph West, American biochemist, known for the Dakin-West reaction (b. 1890)
1989 - Gilda Radner, American comedian and actress (SNL, 1975-80; Haunted Honeymoon), dies of ovarian cancer at 42
2007 - Norman Von Nida, Australian golfer, coach, broadcaster (British Open 1948 3rd), dies at 93
2009 - Lucy Gordon, British model and actress (b. 1980)

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