Check out some of the events that took place on this day in history:

1896 Motor Insurance Policies Introduced

On this day in 1896 the first motor insurance policies were introduced in the UK but they excluded any damage that was caused by frightened horses!

1924 Sunday Express Publishes Crossword

The first crossword puzzle was printed in a British newspaper for the first time, appearing in the Sunday Express

1950 Famous Playwright Dies

George Bernard Shaw, the famous  Irish playwright died on this day.

1959 Watford Gap Services Open

Now lauded as the oldest motorway service station in the UK, Watford Gap Services opened on this day back in 1959.

1976 Jimmy Carter Becomes US President

Jimmy Carter was elected as the 39th President of the USA

1982 Countdown Begins

Richard Whiteley and Carol Vorderman hosted the first episode of the game show, Countdown, which was also the first programme to be broadcast on Channel 4.

2000 International Space Station Becomes Home

The first resident crew of the International Space Station arrived and set up home!

BORN ON THIS DAY

DIED ON THIS DAY

  • 1950 – George Bernard Shaw, the playwright
  • 2014 – Acker Bilk, the jazz clarinet player