In this section, you'll find a summary of all the information that you need to know about today.

There’s history, sport, music, famous people's birthdays, showbiz, entertainment, festivals and much more to keep you interested…so get searching!

Born on this Day:
1081 Louis VI of France
1761 Madame Marie Tussaud
1895 Henry Williamson
1913 Mary Martin
1935 Woody Allen
1939 Lee Trevino
1945 Bette Midler
1946 Gilbert O’Sullivan
1949 Pablo Escobar
2001 Aiko, Princess Toshi of Japan

(Photo: Rob Kilsby)

Died on this Day:
1135 Henry I of England
1521 Pope Leo X
1973 David Ben-Gurion
1997 Stephane Grappelli

Music:
1957 Both Sam Cook and Buddy Holly and The Crickets made their US television debut on the Ed Sullivan show.

1971 John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s single ‘Happy Christmas (War Is Over)’ was released in the UK.

1976 The Sex Pistols appeared on the ‘Today’ programme and were encouraged to say ‘something outrageous.’ As a result, Thames Television’s switchboard was jammed with complaints and the programme’s presenter, Bill Grundy, was suspended.

1982 Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ album was released in the US.

Sport:
1991 Snooker player John Parrot became only the third player – after Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry –, to hold the World and UK snooker titles simultaneously after a 16-13 victory over Jimmy White in the final of the UK open at Preston.

1994 The Yeovil and District Skittles League suspended a player after he poured gravy over an opponent during a post-match dinner.

People and Showbiz:
1939 ‘Gone with the Wind,’ starring Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, and Olivia De Havillar received its world premiere in New York.

1953 Hugh Heffner’s ‘Playboy’ magazine was published for the first time, with Marilyn Monroe as its first centre spread nude.

Historic Events:
1899 The British Army makes the first recorded use of radio equipment in battle during the South African War.

1913 Ford Motor Company introduces first moving assembly line.

1919 Lady Astor becomes the first female Member of Parliament to take her seat in the House of Commons.

1928 Britain’s first pop-up toaster goes on sale for 3 guineas.

1990 The French and English sections of the Channel Tunnel meet 40 meters below the seabed.

1998 Exxon announces $73.7 billion takeover bid to buy Mobil, creating the world’s largest company, Exxon-Mobil.

Current Events:
National/World Day(s): World Aid’s Day, National Pie Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, Rosa Parks Day, Phoney Smile Day, Christmas Club Birthday, Christmas Lights Day

National/World Week: Start of Christmas Tree Week, Recipe Greetings for the Holiday Week, Tolerance Week, National Aplastic Awareness Week

Star Sign: Sagittarius

Religious Festivals: Feast of St. Eligius (Catholic Church)

International Observances: Portugal – Restoration of Independence Day
Costa Rica – Military Abolition Day
Romania – Union Day (National Holiday)