Today's the Day - 8th August

• 65 years ago: On August 8, 1950, at the age of 31, American Florence Chadwick swam the English Channel from France to England in 13 hours and 20 minutes, breaking the then-current women's record. One year later, Chadwick crossed the English Channel again, this time from England to France, in 16 hours and 22 minutes, thus making her the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. She ultimately swam the Channel four times

• 50 years ago: Former England fast-medium bowler, journalist and current Middlesex County Cricket Club Managing Director of cricket, Angus Fraser was born on this day. 6ft 6 in Gus is also now an England selector.

• 10 years ago: The original Miss Ellie in Dallas, Barbara Bel Geddes died of lung cancer on this day at the age of 82. When looking back on her career, she once said in an interview, "They're always making me play well-bred ladies. I'm not very well bred, and I'm not much of a lady."