Another ancient King of England kicks proceedings off today, as we see Edward IV of England start out in France way back in 1442. Next up is fifth President of the United States of America, James Munro faced no opposition being born in 1758. Early day explorer of the land down under, Charles Napier Sturt sailed through in 1795. Owner of one time rusting car manufacturer Alfa Romeo, Nicola Romeo rolled out in 1876. Fellow Italian, involved in the tyre business – Alberto Pirelli was a pumped up baby in 1882. Another famous person born in Hamilton, Ontario – Field Commander Henry Duncan Graham ‘Harry’ Crerar commanded operations in 1888. Not only the first Premier of Barbados, but also first Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation – Grantley Herbert Adams bowled his parents over in 1898. Norwegian of the day, author Johan Collett Müller Borgen started his first chapter in 1902. Nazi sympathiser and subject of film Schindler’s List, (which is the new term for pissed), Oskar Schindler manufactured his entrance to the world in 1908. Tractor manufacturer who went onto make wedge shaped cars with portholes for windows and gull wing doors, Ferruccio Elio Arturo Lamborghini debuted in 1916. Novelist Alistair Stuart MacLean broke through the last frontier in 1922. First President of Zambia, Kenneth David Kaunda, let his parents use the little fly swat thing around him from 1924. Novelist known for her book To Kill a Mockingbird, Nellie Harper Lee, (who dropped the Nellie bit), started creating her backstory in 1926. Carolyn Sue Jones who played Mortica Addams in television series The Addams Family, didn’t scare her parents when delivered in 1930. Iron fisted and delusional crackpot dictator who was fifth President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti forced his way through in 1937. Steeplejack and unlikely television personality Frederick ‘Fred’ Dibnah began life on the first rung in 1938. Large hat wearing author of fantasy novels, (yawn), Terence David John ‘Terry’ Pratchett entered the plot in 1945. Funny faced, occasionally mildly amusing comedian and ex-desk hogging chat show host, James Douglas Muir ‘Jay’ Leno got his first taste of being in a theatre back in 1950. Scottish born Australian shouter to music, James Dixon Swan, or Jimmy Barnes as his fans know him, had a bodyswerve in 1956. Crime novelist Ian James Rankin was the travelling companion in 1960. (Another) ex-lady friend of Mick Jagger, this one mentioned on March 17th when she died – Laura ‘Luann’ Bambrough or L’Wren Scott fashioned her entrance to the world in 1964. Singer with one time boy band Take That (given there’s only three of them left), Howard Paul Donald has never been able to forget his birthday since 1968. Actress who knocked around with Tom Cruise for a few years, Penélope Cruz has never been waking up in Reno since being born in 1974. Having mentioned his Mrs only yesterday, here’s second rate game show host Vernon Charles Kay who thankfully didn’t start a family feud in 1974. Wheezing Olympic gold medal winning cyclist with the sideburns, Sir Bradley of Wiggins free wheeled through in 1980, whilst a year later in 1981 actress Jessica Marie Alba made her mum stretch a bit.
Death wise, it appears to be a bit thin on the ground, but we do start with female pirate Mary/Mark Read started to feed the fish in 1722. Shipping magnate Sir Samuel Cunard who dropped anchor in 1865. Dog breeder responsible for the dog named after him, John ‘Jack’ Russell was put down in 1883. Bosnian Serb assassin who took out Franz Ferdinand (alas not the Scottish band), but the Archduke in Austria -Gavrilo Princip joined his right arm in 1918. Having mentioned fez wearing and waxed moustached Fuad I of Egypt in March when he was born, here he is again given he took his last view of the pyramids in 1936. Wartime dictator Benito Mussolini didn’t get to hang around after today in 1945. Figurative painter Francis Bacon eased the easel in 1992. Ex-ball kicker and manager of the 1966 World Cup winning team, Alfred Ramsay didn’t get extra time in 1999. Also not making it through that year, co-inventor of the laser, Arthur Leonard Schawlow got to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Finally, actor known for his role in BBC sit-com Hi-de-Hi! Barry Frederick Howard didn’t have an open casket in 2016.
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