May 24th

Today is Bermuda Day, appropriately enough in Bermuda!

Also today is Aldersgate Day, a holiday celebrated by Methodists to commemorate the day in 1738 when John Wesley 'experienced confirmation of his salvation by the grace of God' in a meeting room in Aldersgate Street, London.
A bit like the feeling you get after a few drinks down the local, sort of White Lion Experience!

1626 Peter Minuit buys Manhattan from Native Americans for goods valued at 60 Dutch Guilders, the equivalent of £403.01p in today's currency.

1830 Mary Had A Little Lamb by Sarah Joseph's Hale was published, spouting a host of copycat and parody rhymes:-

Mary had a little lamb, She also had a bear,
I've often seen her little lamb, but I've never seen her...

1941 Singer/Songwriter and 20th Century icon Bob Dylan is born Robert Allen Zimmerman in Duluth, Minnesota.

1945 Priscilla Presley, American actress, businesswoman, (?), and ex-wife of Elvis, is born Priscilla Ann Wagner in Brooklyn, New York.

1956 Michael Jackson, the Irish Archbishop of Dublin was born in Kurgan, County Armagh. He had a sideline, encouraged by the Holy Father in Rome, of  'blacking up' and being 'The King of Pop', a dual role he performed tirelessly for over 40yrs.

1966 Ex footballer and kung-fu exponent Monsieur Eric Daniel Pierre Cantons is born in Marseille, France. Now best known for off-beat, deep poetry, acting and beer commercials.

1974 Duke Ellington, American pianist and composer died aged 75yo, from lung cancer and pneumonia. He was leader of his eponymously named Orchestra for over 50 years from 1923 until his death.

1995  Baron Wilson of Rievlaux K.G. died aged 79yo from colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. He was better known as Harold Wilson, Labour Prime Minister from 1964 to 1970, then 1974-76, winning four General Elections.

Political News..On the eve of the European Parliamentary Results Nick Clegg seemed to be putting a brave face on it during an interview, "Am I down hearted by what tomorrow might bring, not at all! If we lose all our MEPs, so what! It appears that the electorate want to see the UK leaving Europe, so we are trailblazing the way as usual, setting the standard for others to follow!" He then ended the interview by singing "Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life".