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23rd August

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1926: Valentino dies


The death of silent-screen idol Rudolph Valentino sends his fans into a hysterical state of mass mourning. More than 100,000 faithful paid tribute at his open coffin. Actress Pola Negri, reportedly inconsolable, sent 4,000 roses. Many suicide attempts were also reported. The Italian-born actor, who established a reputation as the archetypal screen lover in romantic dramas such as The Sheik, was 31 years old. He died suddenly from a ruptured ulcer.

1999

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder begins work in Berlin - the first time Germany has been governed from its traditional capital since the end of World War II.

1979

Alexander Godunov, a member of the Bolshoi Ballet, is given political asylum in the United States.

1971

East germany imposes new restrictions on travel between West and East Berlin. Western powers retaliate by placing tanks and 1,000 troops along the length of the newly-built Berlin Wall.

1963

British Group The Beatles release 'She Loves You'.

1962

John Lennon, founder-member of The Beatles, marries his childhood sweetheart Cynthia Powell.

1942

World War II: Beginning of the Battle of Stalingrad.

1940

World War II: Start of the Blitz - the night-time bombing of English towns and cities by German bombers.

1939

Germany and Russia sign a non-aggression pact leaving the Russians to invade Finland and Adolf Hitler free to occupy Poland.

1938

England Test cricketer Len Hutton scores what is then a new world record test score of 364 against Australia at the Oval.

1914

World War I: The Battle of Mons - the first major battle of World War I.

1839

British forces capture the south-east Asia port of Hong Kong.

1821

Treaty of Aquala declares Mexico independent of Spain.

1793

France introduces national conscription, calling all unmarried men aged 18-25 to join the country's armed forces.

1305

Scottish leader William Wallace, captured by the English, is hanged,drawn and quartered in London.

1949

British athlete Geoff Capes.

1941

English actress Julia Lockwood.

1912

American singer & dancer Gene Kelly.

1754

Louis XVI of France. His reign is cut short by the French Revolution which abolishes the monarchy. Louis XVI is guillotined on January 21, 1793.

1960

American lyricist Oscar Hammerstein. Collaborations with Richard Rodgers included the musicals Oklahoma; South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.

1926

Rudolf Valentino, 'the world's greatest screen lover' dies in New York aged 31 from complications of a ruptured appendix and a gastric ulcer. Thousands of women line the route of his funeral.

1628

George Villiers, 1st duke of Buckingham. English courtier and royal favorite. Assassinated by John Felton, a disgruntled naval officer.