16 November It Happened Today

1724  Highwayman Jack Sheppard hanged at Tyburn in front of 200000.

1908  Birth of American actor Burgess Meredith.

1937  The House of Commons votes to commence a programme of air raid shelter construction.

1940  Marshal Petain becomes new leader of the French government.

1960  Death of actor Clark Gable.

1989  Restrictions on blacks using South Africa’s beaches are lifted.