February 17th "2024" daily prep

Welcome to day 48, known as World Human Spirit Day and Random Act of Kindness Day. If you were born on this day, you were likely conceived the week of May 27th in the previous year. Your star sign is Aquarius and your birthstone is Amethyst.
Fanny Cradock's first cookery programme Kitchen Magic, was broadcast on television. She mostly worked with her then common-law husband Johnny Cradock, adopting his surname long before they married.
1955 – Fanny Cradock’s first cookery programme Kitchen Magic, was broadcast on television. She mostly worked with her then common-law husband Johnny Cradock, adopting his surname long before they married.
Todays birthdays
1954 – Rene Russo (70), American actress (The Thomas Crown Affair, Get Shorty, In the Line of Fire), born in Burbank, California, United States.
1963 – Michael Jordan (61), American businessman and former professional basketball player (Chicago bulls), born in Brooklyn, New York, United States.
1970 – Dominic Purcell (53), English born Australian actor (Blade: Trinity) best known for his portrayal of Lincoln Burrows in Prison Break, born in Wallasey, Merseyside.
1991 – Ed Sheeran (33), English singer-songwriter (“Shape of You”, “Castle on the Hill”), born in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
1994 – Paris Hilton (43), American actress (House of Wax, Snakes on a Plane), media personality, businesswoman, and socialite, born in New York, New York, United States.
Famous deaths
1909 – Geronimo (b. 1829), American tribal military leader and medicine man from the Bedonkohe band of the Ndendahe Apache people.
1912 – Edgar Evans (b. 1876), Welsh sailor and explorer.
2013 – Richard Briers (b. 1934), English actor whose five-decade career encompassed film, radio, stage and television.
The day today
1938 – A surprise item was shown at the Dominion Theatre, London. It was the first public, experimental demonstration of Baird colour television on a big 12 ft x 9 ft screen. Transmitted from Crystal Palace, the short programme consisted of fashion plates and a cartoon.
1955 – Fanny Cradock’s first cookery programme Kitchen Magic, was broadcast on television. She mostly worked with her then common-law husband Johnny Cradock, adopting his surname long before they married. The infamous ‘doughnut line’ is often attributed to Johnny Cradock – Quote: ‘You too can have doughnuts like Fanny’s’, but it was almost certainly said by a Scottish continuity announcer.
1958 – The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) was formed in Britain.
1965 – The Duke and Duchess of Kent celebrated the end of 300 years of colonial rule in Gambia with 35 Gambian chiefs. Gambia was the first African nation conquered by the British and became the 21st member of the Commonwealth.
1987 – A group of Tamils seeking asylum in Britain protested at Heathrow airport by removing their clothes as they were about to be deported. Amid a frenzied scuffle with security personnel they were forcibly placed onto the awaiting aircraft which was bound for Dhaka. But they were removed soon afterwards after their loud protests onboard drew complaints from fellow passengers and resulted in the pilot refusing to take-off.
Today in music
1966 – Nancy Sinatra was at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘These Boots Are Made For Walking’, Frank’s eldest daughters first No.1. Written by Lee Hazlewood Sinatra’s recording of the song was made with the help of Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.
1978 – Kate Bush released her debut studio album The Kick Inside which contained her UK number one hit, ‘Wuthering Heights’, (marking the first time a female singer-songwriter topped the charts with a self-penned song). Bush was just 19 years old and had written some of the songs when she was only 13.
1979 – Blondie scored their first UK No.1 album when ‘Parallel Lines’ started a four-week run at the top of the charts, featuring the singles ‘Heart Of Glass’, ‘Hanging On The Telephone’ and ‘Sunday Girl.’
2005 – Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand made music history after taking two top prizes at the NME Awards. The band, who won best album and best single, became the first act ever to win the Mercury Music Prize, Brit Awards and NME awards in the same year.
2008 – British soul singer Duffy started a five week run at No.1 on the UK singles chart with ‘Mercy’, from the Welsh singers debut album ‘Rockferry’. ‘Mercy’ was the UK’S best selling single of 2008, and won Duffy a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Today in history
1461 – The execution of Sir William Stanley, best known for taking sides against Richard III, at the battle of Bosworth in 1485, which helped to secure Henry VII’s victory. The new king bestowed many favours on Sir William, including the post of Lord Chamberlain and Chamberlain of the Exchequer. However, in 1495 Sir William was convicted of treason, on circumstantial evidence, and was executed for his support of the pretender Perkin Warbeck.
1753 – Sweden changed their calendar to the Gregorian calendar, making the next day March 1 instead of February 18.
1776 – First volume of Edward Gibbon’s seminal work “The Decline and Fall of Roman Empire” published.
1883 – Mr. A. Ashwell of Herne Hill, south London, patented Vacant – Engaged signs for toilet doors.
1914 – Women suffragettes in Britain turned violent. They set fire to the Lawn Tennis Club and broke windows at the residence of the Home Secretary.