On This Day in London: The Shady Old Lady's Guide to London


It all happened here on our streets, but today is the anniversary of which key events from London's history:

8th July 1957 Comedian Ronnie Barker married Joy in London. (69 years ago this year)

8th July 1934 Comedian Marty Feldman was born in the East End of London. (92 years ago this year) go to related location

8th July 1917 Born today: Pamela Brown, London England, actress (Cleopatra, Beckett) (109 years ago this year)

8th July 1898 Born today: Alec Waugh, London, novelist (Island in the Sun), brother of Evelyn (128 years ago this year)

8th July 1290 Margaret, daughter of King Edward I was married to John II, son of Duke of Brabant in Westminster Abbey. (736 years ago this year) go to related location

9th July 1957 Comedian Paul Merton was born in Parsons Green, West London. (69 years ago this year)

9th July 1947 Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell was born in Ealing. (79 years ago this year)

9th July 1933 Neurologist Oliver Sacks was born in Cricklewood. (93 years ago this year)

9th July 1877 The first ever Wimbledon tennis tournament begins with 22 competitors. (149 years ago this year) go to related location

9th July 1764 Gothic fiction author Ann Radcliffe was born in Holborn. (262 years ago this year)

9th July 1540 The marriage of Anne of Cleves and Henry VIII is annulled after just 6 months. (486 years ago this year)

10th July 2011 New International publish the last edition of The News of the World after hacking scandal. (15 years ago this year) go to related location

10th July 1942 Netherland's govt in exile (London) recognizes Soviet Union (84 years ago this year)

10th July 1911 Comic actor Terry Thomas was born in Finchley, London. (115 years ago this year) go to related location

10th July 1900 Actress Evelyn Laye was born in Bloomsbury, London. (126 years ago this year)

10th July 1806 Painter (of Horses) George Stubbs died in London aged 81. (220 years ago this year)

10th July 1723 Sir William Blackstone, judge, jurist and politician was born in London. (303 years ago this year) go to related location

10th July 1212 The Great Fire of 1212 destroys St Mary Overie church and kills allegedly 3,000 people on London Bridge. (814 years ago this year) go to related location

11th July 2005 Eastenders Actress (Ethel) Gretchen Franklin died in Barnes, London. (21 years ago this year)

11th July 1969 Glam rock singer David Bowie releases new single Space Oddity. (57 years ago this year)

11th July 1916 On The Buses actor Reg Varney was born in Canning Town. (110 years ago this year)

11th July 1859 The Great Bell in Big Ben chimed for the first time. (167 years ago this year) go to related location

11th July 1848 Waterloo Station is first opened. (178 years ago this year) go to related location

11th July 1818 Double wedding of Queen Charlottes sons and future kings William and Edward. (208 years ago this year) go to related location

12th July 1993 Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Sunset Boulevard opens in London. (33 years ago this year)

12th July 1966 Born today: Allegra Curtis, London, model/daughter of Christine Kaufmann (60 years ago this year)

12th July 1962 Rolling Stones 1st performance (Marquee Club, London) (64 years ago this year)

12th July 1543 Henry VIII marries fifth wife Catherine Parr at Hampton Court Palace. (483 years ago this year)