1613The original Globe Theatre in London burned down after a cannon was fired during a performance of a Shakespearean play and set fire to the straw roof. The theatre was totally destroyed, but rose again in June 1614, this time with a tiled roof. That theatre closed in 1642 and a modern reconstruction of the Globe opened in 1997, approximately 250 yards (230 m) from the site of the original theatre.

1620After denouncing smoking as a health hazard, King James I of England banned the growing of tobacco in Britain.

1644Charles I of England defeated a Parliamentarian detachment at the Battle of Cropredy Bridge (near Banbury, Oxfordshire). It was the last battle won by an English King on English soil.

1801Britain held its first population census - producing a population figure of 8,800,000.

1855Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper was first published, a result of the publisher's anger over the Crimean War and a desire to express it.

1871The Trade Union Act was passed, giving trade unions legal status for the first time.

1882 The death of Joseph Aloysius Hansom, prolific English architect and the inventor of the horse drawn Hansom cab. His architectural works included Birmingham Town Hall and Lutterworth Town Hall - see picture.

1905The Automobile Association was set up by motorists angered by police harassment and to warn drivers of speed traps.

1916The British diplomat Sir Roger Casement, an Irish patriot, poet, revolutionary, and nationalist, was sentenced to death for his part in the Easter Rising, an attempt to end British rule in Ireland.

1927For the first time in 200 years, a total eclipse of the sun was seen in Britain. Those at Giggleswick in Yorkshire were able to see a perfect, full eclipse which lasted for less than 1/2 minute. See picture of Giggleswick School Chapel (my former school) and a vantage point for astronomers viewing the eclipse.

1966Barclays Bank introduced the Barclaycard - the UK's first credit card.

1986Millionaire Richard Branson smashed the world record for the fastest powerboat crossing of the Atlantic.

1993The birth of George Sampson, street dancer and actor from Warrington. He won the second series of Britain's Got Talent in 2008 at the age of 14.

1995Lisa Clayton, from Birmingham, became the first British woman to sail solo around the world from the northern hemisphere. Her voyage, in a 39 ft sloop, Spirit of Birmingham, took 285 days.

2001The government announced that a memorial fountain in honour of Diana, Princess of Wales, was to be built in London's Hyde Park.

2010The England football team returned home after being knocked out of the second round of the World Cup by Germany. England ultimately lost 4-1, suffering their worst defeat to date in a World Cup finals match. (In 2014 England were eliminated at the group stage of the Fifa World Cup for the first time since 1958, with just two goals scored. It was their worst goal tally since 1950 and the worst World Cup showing in the history of the national team.)

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