April 29th "2024" Daily Prep
Welcome to day 120, known as World Wish Day, Day of Trees. If you were born on this day, you were likely conceived the week of August 6th in the previous year. Your star sign is Taurus and your birthstone is Diamond.
2011 – The 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.
Todays birthdays
1949 – Anita Dobson (75), English stage, film and television actress best known for her role as Angie Watts in Eastenders (1985 to 1988), born in Stepney, London.
1957 – Daniel Day Lewis (67), English actor (The Last of the Mohicans, Gangs of New York), born in Kensington, London.
1958 – Michelle Pfeiffer (66), American actress (Batman Returns, Dangerous Minds, What Lies Beneath), born in Santa Ana, California, United States.
1966 – Phil Tuffnel (58), former English international cricketer (Middlesex CCC, England) and current television and radio personality, born in Barnet, North London.
1970 – Uma Thurman (54), American actress (Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, Les Misérables, Batman and Robin), born in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
Famous deaths
1980 – Alfred Hitchcock (b. 1899), English-American director and producer (Psycho, Dial M for Murder, The Birds, Vertigo).
2014 – Bob Hoskins (b. 1942), English actor (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mermaids, Nixon, Super Mario Bros).
The day today
1909 – In 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.
1990 – Snooker player Stephen Hendry beat Jimmy White, to become the youngest ever world professional champion, aged 21 years and 106 days.
1993 – It 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.
2008 – The unveiling, in his home town of Bolton, of the 8ft memorial statue to the legendary steeplejack Fred Dibnah which was unveiled on the anniversary of his birth (April 29 1938). 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.
2013 – Sweeping 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.’
Today in music
1977 – The Jam released their first single ‘In The City’, which peaked at No. 40 in the UK charts. The English punk rock/mod revival formed in Woking, Surrey, fronted by Paul Weller, achieved 18 other Top 40 hits including four UK No.1’s.
1998 – Steven Tyler broke his knee at a concert in Anchorage, Alaska delaying Aerosmith’s ‘Nine Lives’ tour and necessitating camera angle adjustments for the filming of the video for ‘I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.’
2001 – A blue plaque was unveiled at 38 Aubrey Walk, Kensington, London to honor the musical heritage of the address where British singer Dusty Springfield lived between 1968-1972.
2007 – Arctic Monkeys started a three week run at No.1 on the UK album chart with their second album ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare.’
2016 – Fifteen of Prince’s albums made it into the UK chart as fans rushed to buy his music following his sudden death. Six were in the top 40 with The Very Best Of, Ultimate and Purple Rain at two, three and four.
Today in history
1429 – Joan of Arc arrived at the besieged city of Orleans to eventually lead her French forces to victory (on 6th May) over the English.
1696 – There 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.
1826 – The galaxy Centaurus A was discovered by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop.
The galaxy is also known as NGC 5128 or Caldwell 77 and was discovered from Dunlop’s home in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia.
1879 – Thomas 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.
1884 – Oxford University agreed to admit female students to examinations. However, woman were not to be awarded degrees.