July 10th
Feast Day of Saints Rufina and Secunda. Roman virgin martyrs they suffered persecution under Emperor Valerian. Escaping to Etruria they were captured and brought before a prefect who tortured and beheaded them.



 
138 The Emperor Hadrian died from heart failure at Baiae aged 62yo. In 122 he had initiated the construction of Hadrian's Wall, built "to separate Romans from The Barbarians".



1212 Second of two mediaeval fires in London. Also known as The Great Fire of Southwark it began to the south of London Bridge and headed towards the bridge. However it had just been rebuilt with stone so survived the conflagration. However in the panic it is reckoned that some 3,000 people lost their lives upon the bridge as burning embers ignited buildings both along and across the bridge. No reliable figures remain to correctly number the people who were killed accurately, but it is true that the bridge was rendered an unusable ruin for many years thereafter. Unfortunately the Trumpton Fire Brigade was not yet equipped enough, (just Barney McGrew and a donkey), to offer any assistance.






1806 English painter George Stubbs died in London aged 81yo. Best known for his painting of horses, dogs and other animals.






 
1863 American author Clement Clarke Moore died in Newport, Rhode Island. Known as " The Bard of Chelsea", for his educational work on his estate of the east side of Manhattan, he is best known for his seasonal poem, " A Visit From St. Nicholas".




 
1945 English football commentator John Walker Motson is born in Manchester. Since 1971 Motson has commentated on over 1,500 games on TV and radio. In 2008 he announced his retirement from live commentaries on TV though he still commentates on Match Of The Day highlights.





1946 American actress Sue Lyon was born in Davenport, Iowa as Suellyn Lyon. Best known for her performances such as Lolita,(1962), Night of the Iguana,(1964) and Evel Knievel, (1971).





1954 English musician,singer/songwriter Neil Francis Tennant is born at North Shields, Tyneside. Along with his band mate Chris Lowe he formed The Pet Shop Boys. The group have sold more than 50 million records worldwide.





1970 Take That member Jason Thomas Orange is born in Crumpsall, Manchester. Brought up as a Mormon he studied A Level English and an access course to psychology, biology and history, though his success with the band he did not pursue further education.





 
1978 Legendary snooker player Joe Davis died in Hampshire two months after collapsing whilst watching his brother Fred playing in the World Championship. He was 77yo. He won the World Snooker Championship 15 times 1926-40 and 1946.




 
1989 American voice actor and comedian Mel Blanc died of emphysema and chronic heart disease in Los Angeles aged 81yo.Blanc is best remembered for his work with Warner Bros. as the voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety Bird, Sylvester the Cat, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Speedy Gonzales, Wile E. Coyote, the Tasmanian Devil and many of the other characters from the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoon short films, during the golden age of American animation. He later worked for Hanna-Barbera's television cartoons, most notably as the voices of Barney Rubble in The Flintstones and Mr. Spacely in The Jetsons. Blanc was also a regular performer on The Jack Benny Program in both its radio and television formats (among various other radio and TV programs), and was the original voice of Woody Woodpecker for Universal Pictures.





At the World Cup Dutch manager Louis van Gaaaaaal insists he may substitute his goalkeeper again at anytime, "Of course it is possible! I maybe will not like the look of his hair or perhaps his stubble, maybe even his colour of shirt...whatever reason I may replace him. Will I do it at Manchester United? Who knows maybe...if the ugly monkey Rooney looks better in goal that's where he will play!bWho can say the future? I am God, I am van Gaaaaaal! No-one can beat me I am the best, my players? They just do as I say, they are not important I can play anyone and they will win, I am all that matters!" At this point the men in white coats replaced the straightjacket and took him away.

Yes I Am Infallible

God Looks On As His Children Play