One thing Wikipedia is good for is finding out what happens on a particular day in history. For example, on May 25th:
- 1878 – Gilbert and Sullivan‘s H.M.S. Pinafore opens in London.
- 1895 – Oscar Wilde is sent to prison for “committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons“.
- 1953 – The first public television station in the United States officially begins broadcasting.
- 1977 – Star Wars is released in cinemas.
- 2011 – Oprah Winfrey airs her last show.
It’s also International Missing Children’s Day, Africa Day, Geek Pride Day, National Tap Dance Day and Towel Day.
And famous birthdays include Jonny Wilkinson, Cillian Murphy, Demetri Martin, Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, Mike Myers, Anthea Turner, Julian Clary, Paul Weller, Alastair Campbell, Eve Ensler, Catherine G. Wolf and Ian McKellen.
Plus, a not-so-famous birthday: mine.