1762: George IV, King of England, eldest son of the insane George III, was born. He did little to enhance the crown, being too fond of wine and women.

1851: The Hundred Guinea Cup was offered by the Royal Yacht Squadron for a race around the Isle of Wight. It was won by the US yacht America, and the trophy became known as the America's Cup.

1881: Cecil B De Mille, producer and director of epic films like The Ten Commandments, was born in Ashfield, Mass.

1887: Thomas Edison made the first sound recording when he recited Mary Had A Little Lamb which was recorded on to a foil-wrapped cylinder on the Edisonphone.

1925: Norris and Ross McWhirter, British twins who founded the Guinness Book of Records, were born. After the bible, it is the best-selling book in the world. Ross McWhirter was murdered by the IRA.

1964: Ian Fleming, best-selling author and creator of James Bond, died.

LAST YEAR: Seven young Britons were facing murder charges on the Greek holiday isle of Rhodes after a British teenager was stabbed with a broken bottle during a fight in Faliraki.