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29th September

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1979: Pope speaks in Ireland


In his first visit to Ireland, Pope John Paul II addresses a crowd of more than one million in Dublin and makes an impassioned plea for an end to violence between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland. In 1978, Pope John Paul II, born as Karol Wojtyla in Wadowice, Poland, became the first Polish pope in history and the first non-Italian pope in 456 years. Fluent in seven modern languages and Latin, the pope fully embraced his role as ambassador of the Roman Catholic Church, and has traveled more extensively than any other pope in history. Known for his staunch anti-communism, the pope was an outspoken supporter of democratic movements in his native Poland and elsewhere during the 1980s. He survived being shot in an assassination attempt in 1981.

1991

The first freely-elected President of Haiti , Jean-Bertrand Aristide, is removed from office in a military coup.

1952

British and world water speed record holder John Cobb is killed on Loch Ness in Scotland when his craft 'Crusader' breaks up after hitting a waves at 240 mph.

1950

In America, the Bell Telephone Company demonstrates the first automatic answering machine.

1938

British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and German leader Adolf Hitler sign the 'Munich Agreement ' limiting German expansion in Europe. Chamberlain retuns to Britain claiming to have negotiated 'peace with honour' and declares ' I believe it is peace in our time'

1930

Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw turns down a peerage.

1916

American John D Rockefeller becomes the world's first billionaire during the share boom in the United States of America.

1906

USA declares a provisional government in Cuba following the resignation of President Palma.

1885

Britain gets its first electric street tram in Blackpool.

1829

Foundation of the first professionally organised police service in Britain - organised by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel. Officers became known as either 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies'.

1956

English athlete Sebastian Coe

1943

Polish trade union leader Lech Walesa.

1935

American rock and country singer Jerry Lee Lewis

1931

Film actress Anita Ekberg.

1916

English actor Trevor Howard

1916

British cartoonist Carl Giles is born in London. Becomes one of Britain's best-loved cartoonists in the 1950s and 1960s with regular 'Giles' cartoons.

1908

British actress Greer Garson is born in County Down, Northern Ireland

1899

Holiday camp pioneer Sir Billy Butlin is born in South Africa.

1758

English Admiral Horatio Nelson is born in Norfolk. Joins the English navy in 1770 and moves up through the ranks until retiring in 1787. Is called back into service in 1792 at the outbreak of the French Revolution. Loses the sight in one eye while commanding a naval brigade in 1794 and helps inflict defeat on a Spanish Fleet off Cape St Vincent in 1796. Loses his right arm in a battle with a Spanish treasure ship before defeating the french Fleet at the battle of the Nile off Aboukir Bay in 1797. In 1801, now promoted to vice-admiral, famously turns 'a blind eye' to a direct order and defeats a Danish Fleet in the Battle of Copenhagen. In 1805, on board the 'Victory' he defeats the French and Spanish Fleets at Trafalgar but dies during the battle and is buried at St Paul's Cathedral in London. His statue now stands on top of the 170 foot column in Trafalgar Square in central London.

1725

Baron Robert Clive of Plassey, Clive of India,

1996

British entertainer Leslie Crowther dies of heart failure aged 63.

1981

Former Liverpool Football Club manager Bill Shankly.

1952

British and world water speed record holder John Cobb is killed on Loch Ness in Scotland when his craft 'Crusader' breaks up after hitting waves at 240 mph.

1902

French novelist and social reformer Emile Zola. Famous for his attack on the French Government & military leaders in his 'J'accuse' article over the cover-up by the French authorities of the wrongful imprisonment of army officer Alfred Dreyfus who had been jailed for treason.