Jul16

1927

The world's smallest public railway - the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch  - was opened

Jul17

1841

Punch was first published

Jul18

1955

11 inches (280 mm) of rain fell on Martinstown, Dorset

1925

The first volume of Hitler's Mein Kampf (My Struggle) was published

1918

Nelson Mandela was born

1872

The Ballot Act (making the ballot secret) was passed in the UK

Jul19

1969

John Fairfax completed the first solo Atlantic crossing in a rowing boat

1962

The first telephone call was made via Telstar - from London to New York

1961

TWA became the first airline to introduce regular in-flight films with a screening on a scheduled flight from New York to Los Angeles of By Love Possessed starring Lana Turner

1821

Queen Caroline was forcibly prevented from appearing at the coronation of George IV

Jul20

1989

The comedian Harry Worth died

1969

Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon

1947

Jean Robic won the first post-war Tour de France without ever wearing the yellow jersey

Jul21

1989

The comedian Ken Dodd was cleared of eight charges of tax fraud and false accounting at Liverpool Crown Court

1896

The first Royal Command Film Performance took place at Marlborough House in London

1809

Daniel Lambert, who weighed 52.5 stones (735 lbs), died

Jul22

1934

John Dillinger, American bank robber, was shot and killed by law officers whilst leaving the Biograph Cinema, Chicago

1933

The aviator Wiley Post, in his aeroplane Winnie Mae, became the first person to fly solo around the world

Jul23

1967

Tommy Simpson died on Mont Ventoux during the 13th stage of the Tour de France

1963

Stephen Ward was found guilty of living on the immoral earnings of Christine Keeler and others