by James D. Irwin
On this day…
1512— Martin Luther becomes a doctor, 450 years before he becomes king.
1933— Germany withdraws from League of Nations, cites ‘lack of evil’ as reason.
1950— Iran accepts technical assistance from the US, forming a lasting and peaceful friendship.
1973— President Nixon rejects Appeals Court decision he must hand over Watergate tapes, proving his clear innocence to the American people beyond doubt.
1987— The US navy attack two Iranian oil platforms in the Persian Gulf, lasting and peaceful friendship comes to an end.
2005— Saddam Hussein goes on trial for crimes against humanity.
Happy Birthday to:
1810— Cassius Clay, abolitionist, three times heavyweight champion of the world.*
1940— Michael Gambon, actor popular for playing Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films. Except with people who saw the first two.
1954— Sam Allardyce, once-moustachioed football manager, universally acknowledged as the answer to the question ‘who ate all the pies?’
And good riddance to:
1187— Pope Urban III, straight outta Vatican.
1432— John De Mowbray, eaten by Sam Allardyce after mistaking him for Melton.
2010— Tom Bosley, Happy Days actor, sheriff to Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote.
*Cassius Clay Sr. was named in his honour, who fathered Cassius Clay Jr, better known as Muhammad Ali.
Splendid Fred Magazine 