Historical Events
1455
The Wars of the Roses begins with the First Battle of St Albans.
1906
The Wright Brothers receive a patent for their flying machine.
1972
Ceylon is renamed Sri Lanka after becoming a republic.
1990
North and South Yemen merge to form the Republic of Yemen.
2011
A tornado strikes Joplin, Missouri, killing 160 people.
Famous Birthdays
1813
Richard Wagner
German composer known for his epic opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen.
1844
Mary Cassatt
American Impressionist painter known for her paintings of women and children.
1859
Arthur Conan Doyle
Scottish author who created the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes.
1907
Sir Laurence Olivier
British actor and director considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.
1969
Naomi Campbell
British supermodel and one of the most famous models of the 1990s.
