1429Joan of Arc arrived at the besieged city of Orleans to eventually lead her French forces to victory (on 6th May) over the English.

1696There were many attempts on the life of William III, King of England, who attracted opposition, in part because he was a foreigner. On This Day, three would-be assassins, Rookwood, Lowick and Cranbourne, were executed for an attempt that failed. These gilded statues of William III are in Portsmouth Dockyard - (see picture) and in Hull - (see picture). Hull was the first large city in Britain to swear their allegiance to the new King when he deposed James II in 1685.

1879Thomas Beecham, conductor and founder of the London Philharmonic was born. He was also closely associated with the Liverpool Philharmonic and Hallé orchestras and was a major influence on the musical life of Britain.

1884Oxford University agreed to admit female students to examinations. However, woman were not to be awarded degrees.

1895The birth of Sir Malcolm Sargent, English conductor, organist and composer widely regarded as Britain's leading conductor of choral works.

1909In a revolutionary budget called 'The People's Budget', Chancellor David Lloyd George introduced a new 'supertax' of sixpence in the pound for anyone earning more than £5,000 a year (£387.000 in today's money). The new high level of supertax was to pay for old age pensions and re-armament of the forces. See picture of the David Lloyd statue near Cardiff City Hall.

1935Just one year after their invention by Percy Shaw of Yorkshire, 'cats' eyes' were being inserted into British roads.

1938The birth, in Bolton, Lancashire of Fred Dibnah MBE, English steeplejack. He had a fascination for steam vehicles and mechanical engineering and became a cult television personality. His former home in Bolton (see picture) became the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre until its closure in 2018.

1945The German army in Italy surrendered to the Allies under the British General Alexander. The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, 'Il Duce', who, after a series of military misadventures, became unpopular even among his fellow Fascists, was captured while trying to flee Italy and was executed.

1945Adolf Hitler married his longtime partner Eva Braun in a Berlin bunker and designated Admiral Karl Dönitz as his successor. Both Hitler and Braun committed suicide the next day.

1986The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, was laid to rest at Frogmore in Windsor, alongside her husband, the abdicated King Edward VIII.

1990Snooker player Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White, to become the youngest ever world professional champion, aged 21 years and 106 days.

1993It was announced that Buckingham Palace would be opened to the public for the first time (during August & September) in a bid to raise funds to repair Windsor Castle.

1998David Hempleman-Adams became the first person to conquer adventuring's grand slam' when he reached the North Pole. He had walked to both Poles and climbed the highest peaks on all seven continents.

2008 The unveiling, in his home town of Bolton, of the 8ft memorial statue to the legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah. The statue (see picture) was unveiled on the anniversary of his birth (see earlier article). Dibnah was also an industrial historian, mechnical engineer, steam engine enthusiast and television presenter. He was awarded the MBE in the 2004 New Year Honours for services to heritage and broadcasting.

2011The marriage of Prince William, 2nd in line to the throne, and Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey. The day was declared a bank holiday in celebration.

2013Sweeping welfare system changes came into effect, with a single, monthly payment replacing benefits including tax credits, housing benefit, jobseeker’s allowance and income support. Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith declared 'The something for nothing culture is coming to an end.'

2014The death (aged 71) of Robert William 'Bob' Hoskins, English actor, known for playing Cockneys and gangsters. His best known works included lead roles in The Long Good Friday, Mona Lisa, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mermaids and Super Mario Bros.

2014A campaign poster advertising Nigel Farage's UKIP was inadvertently placed next to a 'Go Outdoors' poster for inflatable tents that bore the slogan - 'No Poles Required'.

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