11 December It happened today…….

1769  Venetian blinds patented by Edward Beran.

1894  The first motor show opens in Paris.

1914   In the Battle of the Falklands, four German cruisers are sunk with no British losses.

1920  Britain declares martial law in large parts of Ireland.

1936  Britain’s King Edward VIII abdicates.

1963  In Los Angeles, Frank Sinatra Jr is freed by kidnappers after a ransom is paid.