November 30th "2024" Daily Prep
Welcome to day 335 of the “leap” year! Known as Saint Andrews Day, Computer Security Day, Small Business Saturday. Your star sign is Sagittarius and your birthstone is Topaz.
1934 – The steam locomotive Flying Scotsman (Engine No. 4472) became the first to officially exceed 100mph. She recently underwent major restoration at the National Railway Museum in York.
Todays birthdays
1937 – Ridley Scott (86), British filmaker known for directing films such as; Alien, House of Gucci, Gladiator, Hannibal and Blade Runner, born in South Shields, Tyne and Wear.
1955 – Billy Idol (69), British singer (“Rebel Yell”, White Wedding”), songwriter, musician and actor, born in Stanmore, Harrow, Greater London.
1959 – Lorraine Kelly (65), Scottish television presenter (Good Morning Britain, Lorraine and This Morning), born in Gorbals, Glasgow, Scotland.
1960 – Gary Lineker (64), English sports broadcaster and former professional footballer ( Leicester City, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur, English national side), born in Leicester.
1966 – John Bishop (58), English comedian and former semi pro footballer (Crewe Alexandra F.C., Runcorn F.C.), born in Everton, Liverpool.
Famous deaths
2013 – Paul Walker (b. 1973), American actor (The Fast and the Furious franchise).
2018 – George H. W. Bush (b. 1924), American politician, 41st President of the United States.
2022 – Christine McVie (b. 1943), English singer-songwriter and keyboard player with Fleetwood Mac (“Don’t Stop”, “Everywhere”).
2023 – Shane MacGowan (b. 1957), Irish singer-songwriter and frontman of The Pogues (“Fairytale of New York”).
The day today
1936 – The Crystal Palace was destroyed by fire. The spectacular blaze was seen miles away. Designed by Sir Joseph Paxton, it was originally erected in Hyde Park for the Great Exhibition in 1851.
1955 – Floodlights were used for the first time at Wembley Stadium, during an international game with Spain.
1968 – The Trade Descriptions Act came into force making it a crime for a trader to knowingly sell an item with a misleading label or description.
1983 – Seaweed contaminated by heavy radioactivity was discovered in Cumbria, near the Sellafield nuclear plant. A study by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Food Standards Agency found that potential doses from using seaweed to produce foodstuffs are “extremely small”.
2011 – Up to two million public sector workers from 30 trade unions went on strike over reforms to their pensions, hitting public services as diverse as health, refuse and tax collection. Thousands of schools were closed and ports and airports were affected as border control staff walked out. It was the biggest day of strike action in more than 30 years, with warning of more stoppages to follow if ministers refused to negotiate on the dispute.
Today in music
1982 – Michael Jackson’s Thriller album was released. It spent 190 weeks on the UK album chart became the biggest selling pop album of all time, with sales over 66 million copies. Seven singles were released from the album, including ‘Beat It’, which featured guitarists Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather on ‘Billie Jean’.
1989 – The Happy Mondays and fellow Mancunians The Stone Roses both made their debut appearance on UK TV music show Top Of The Pops. The Mondays performed ‘Hellelujah’ and the Stones Roses ‘Fools Gold.’
1991 – Michael Jackson scored his fourth UK No.1 album with his eighth studio album Dangerous. The album has sold over 32 million copies worldwide making it one of the best selling albums of all time.
2001 – The first Top Of The Pops UK Awards were held in Manchester, with categories voted by viewers of the BBC show. Winners included: Best pop act: Westlife, Best R&B Act: Destiny’s Child, Best Rock Act: U2, Best Dance Act: Fatboy Slim, Best Newcomer: Nelly Furtado, Best Single: Kylie Minogue, ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’, Best Album: Travis, ‘The Invisible Band’, Artist on top of the world: Jennifer Lopez, Hall of Fame Award went to Paul McCartney.
2012 – Rihanna was at No.1 on the UK album chart with her seventh studio album Unapologetic. The album produced seven singles including ‘Diamonds’, which became Rihanna’s twelfth No.1 song, tying her with Madonna and The Supremes for fourth most No.1 songs in the history of the chart.