Today's the Day - 9th August

• 85 years ago: Legendary cartoon character Betty Boop made her first appearance in the animated cartoon Dizzy Dishes which was released on this day in 1930. Regarded as one of the most famous sex symbols on the animated screen, her films contained many sexual and psychological elements, being aimed at an adult audience. In August last year it was announced that a feature-length film, based on her character was to be produced.

• 50 years ago: Singapore was expelled from Malaysia and became an independent country.

• 40 years ago: Russian composer and pianist Dmitri Shostakovich died in Moscow of heart failure. He was a totally obsessive personality, regularly sending cards to himself to check how well the postal service was working and continually synchronising all the clocks in his apartment. Meanwhile he was a fully qualified football referee and fanatical supporter of Russian side Zenit St Petersberg.