In a week when a massive earthquake destroyed 3 cities in Iran and Checkpoint Charlie was dismantled, two former international cricketers and the current Real Madrid manager celebrate their birthdays.
21st June
40 years ago: in 1980, German orchestra leader and
songwriter Bert Kaempfert died suddenly after suffering a stroke at his home in
Majorca . He was only 56 years old at the time.
As well as leading his own orchestra, he is alaso remembered as the composer of
the song "Strangers in the Night” made famous by Frank Sinatra.
30 years ago: in 1990, Manjil–Rudbar earthquake destroyed 3
cities (Rudbar, Manjil and Lushan) and 700 villages in Iran . 40,000
people were killed, 60,000 injured and 500,000 left homeless. British novelist
Salman Rushdie donated $8,650 to the victims, despite the fatwa against him.
Birthdays
John Edrich – cricketer, former England opening batsman, 83.
Jeremy Coney – cricketer, former New Zealand captain and now known
for TV and radio analysis, 68.
22nd June
60 years ago: in 1960, the USA launched its first successful
intelligence satellite, GRAB 1 (Galactic Radiation and Background). Its primary
mission was to map Soviet air defence radar systems. It remained classified
until 1968.
30 years ago: in 1990, Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin , Germany
was dismantled. It remained an official crossing point between East and West Germany
until reunification in October, when the guard house was finally removed. It is
now on display in the Allied Museum located in the Dahlem neighbourhood in Berlin .
Birthdays
Doreen Mantle – South African/English actress, remembered as
Mrs Warboys in BBC TV’s “One Foot in the Grave,” 94
Esther Rantzen – English TV journalist, remembered for
presenting TV’s “That’s Life” and founder of Childline, 80
23rd June
80 years ago: in 1940, the day after France surrendered to Germany
in the 2nd World War, Hitler toured occupied Paris and visited sites including Napoleon’s
tomb.
25 years ago: in 1995, American medical researcher Jonas
Salk who developed the first safe and effective polio vaccine died.
Birthdays
Zinedine Zidane – French footballer, current Real Madrid
manager, 48.
KT Tunstall – Scottish singer-songwriter, 45
24th June
125 years ago: in 1895, Jack Dempsey, American world
heavyweight boxing champion (1919–26) was born. His aggressive fighting style
and tremendous punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in
history.
10 years ago: in 2010, Julia Gillard took office as the
first female Prime Minister of Australia.
Birthdays
Mick Fleetwood – English drummer, founder of Fleetwood Mac,
78
Michele Lee – American actress, remembered as Karen Cooper
Fairgate MacKenzie in Knots Landing, 78
25th June
150 years ago: in 1870, Queen Isabella II of Spain abdicated
after being deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1868. Her son, Alfonso XII,
became King in 1874.
75 years ago: in 1945, Seán T. O’Kelly became the second
President of Ireland.
Birthdays
Carly Simon – American singer-songwriter, 75.
Ricky Gervais – English comedian and actor, 59
26th June
60 years ago: in 1960, British Somaliland gained its
independence from the UK .
On 1st July it united with the former Italian Somaliland to form Somalia .
50 years ago: in 1970, Riots broke out in Londonderry , Northern
Ireland after Member of Parliament
Bernadette Devlin was arrested for taking part in the Bogside Riots of 1969. She
was sentenced to 6 months in jail, and served 4 months.
Birthdays
Georgie Fame – English singer, keyboard player, 77.
Sean Hayes – US
actor, best remembered for playing Jack McFarland in American sitcom, Will and
Grace, 50.
27th June
125 years ago: in 1895, the first passenger train in the USA to be pulled by an electric locomotive began
operating on the Baltimore Belt Line in Maryland .
60 years ago: in 1960, versatile British sportswoman Lottie
Dod died aged 88. She was five times winner of Wimbledon, women’s amateur golf
champion, Olympic medallist in archery, and founder of the England women’s
field hockey team playing for them on 2 occasions.
Birthdays
Mary McAleese, Irish politician, 8th President of
Ireland (1997-2011), 69.
Michael Ball – English singer and radio presenter, 58.