In this week: 21st to 27th June

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.

21^st 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.

22^nd 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

23^rd June

80 years ago: in 1940, the day after France surrendered to Germany in the 2^nd 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

24^th 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

25^th 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

26^th 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.

27^th 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, 8^th President of Ireland (1997-2011), 69.

Michael Ball – English singer and radio presenter, 58.