It happened today – this day in history – November 23

1499: Flemish pretender to the English throne Perkin Warbeck is hanged for reportedly attempting to escape from the Tower of London.

1585: Death of composer Thomas Tallis.

1859: Birth of William H Bonney, better known as Billy The Kid.

1869: The clipper Cutty Sark is launched In Dumbarton.

1897: The pencil sharpener is patented by J L Love.

1906: Joseph Smith, leader of the Mormon Church, is convicted of polygamy.

1910: Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen is hanged aged 48 for the murder of his wife.

1943: British Forces Broadcasting Service begins operations.

1963: The first ever episode of Doctor Who, starring William Hartnell, is broadcast by the BBC.

1990: Death of author Roald Dahl.

1991: Freddie Mercury confirms he has AIDS.

2001: Death of Mary Whitehouse aged 91

2003: Georgian president Eduard Shevardnadze resigns following weeks of mass protests over flawed elections.

2012: Death of actor Larry Hagman. Aged 81.

2014: A magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes central Japan. On the same day, Lewis Hamilton wins his second World Formula 1 Drivers Championship.

2015: President Yahya Jammeh of Gambia bans female genital mutilation.

2016: Death of actor Andrew Sachs aged 86.

2017: Brazilian footballer Robinho sentenced to nine years in prison for rape in Italy.

BIRTHDAYS: Alan Mullery, former footballer, 78; Bruce Hornsby, musician, 65; John “Jellybean” Benitez, music producer, 62; Maxwell Caulfield, actor, 60; Nicolas Maduro, President of Venezuela, 57; Kirsty Young, broadcaster, 51; Zoe Ball, broadcaster, 49; Alison Mosshart, singer (The Kills/The Dead Weather) 41; Kelly Brook, model, 40; Miley (Destiny Hope) Cyrus, singer, 27.