1952 The Queen’s Christmas Speech is broadcast for the first time on the radio
1962 Release of Bay of Pigs Prisoners the last of over 1000 men captured in the Cuban invasion were flown back to the USA
1974 John Stonehouse is found alive in Australia after his faked drowning
1980 Breakfast TV goes ahead after a shakeup in broadcasting franchises
1989 The Brandenburg Gate opens for the first time in nearly 30 years
2004 Asian Tsunami kills thousands
This week’s Birthdays
22th Presenter Noel Edmonds is 66 and actor Hugh Quarshie is 60
23th Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy is 59
24th MP Ed Milliband is 45 and presenter Carol Vorderman is 54
25th Singer Annie Lennox is 60 and Shane MacGowan of the Pogues is 57
27th Journalist Janet Street Porter is 68
28th Actress Maggie Smith is 80 and writer Andy McNab is 53
