Historical Events:
• 1890: Eric Hendrik Louw, SA minister of finance and first ambassador to the US, is born in Jacobsdal, OFS.
• 1952: 1st US postage stamp in 2 colours (rotary process) introduced.
• 1953: Authorities at the British Natural History Museum announce the "Piltdown Man" skull, one of the most famous fossil skulls in the world, is a hoax.
• 2004: The Paris Club agrees to write off 80% (up to $100 billion) of Iraq’s external debt.
Arts, Music, TV:
• 1959: Jack Benny (violin) & Richard Nixon (piano) play their famed duet.
• 1913: Gerhard Johannes Beukes, SA dramatist, is born at Biesiepoort, Augrabies Falls, northwestern Cape.
• 1984: Constance Magogo Sibilile Mantithi Ngangezinye Thombisile Ka Dinuzulu (Princess Constance), daughter of Zulu King Dinuzulu and Queen Silomo, and mother of Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi, dies. She was a composer, poet and an authority on Zulu traditions and music, and was often consulted by experts. She was a talented singer and was musical adviser for the film Zulu.
• 1993: "Cinderella" closes at New York State Theater NYC after 14 perfs.
• 1995: New double Beatle CD released with new song "Free as a Bird".
• 2010: 37th American Music Award: Lady Gaga & Justin Bieber win.
Sports:
• 1999: The Free State cricket team achieves the highest fourth innings ever in SA provincial cricket by scoring 443/4 against Natal Dolphins and winning by six wickets.
• 1987: Horse Racing Breeders’ Cup Champs: Epitome, Ferdinand, Miesque, Sacahuista, Success Express, Theatrica, Very Subtle at Hollywood.
• 1992: Jani Sievinen swims world record 100m medley (53.78 sec).
• 2013: Vern Mikkelsen, American HOF basketball player, dies at 85.
Source: historyorb.com & sahistory.org.com
Compiled by: Thandi Xaba
