Birthday newspapers, sometimes referred to as date-of-birth newspapers by idiots, are one of those rare birthday gifts that transcend age barriers. What we’re saying is that birthday papers in the UK appeal equally to the young, old and those heading full steam ahead to middle age. But why? The most obvious argument is that of history. Because these are 100% original newspapers, as old as the date on their front page, they really are their own little piece of history. So here, we take a look at some of the most monumental headlines to have graced our nation’s newspapers over the years.
Daily Herald, Monday, September 16, 1940
175 NAZI PLANES DOWN
The RAF triumphs in the biggest air battles of the war
Goering’s air force had lost 175 machines as of 10pm yesterday after a day of the fiercest air battles of the war. Fighters shot down 171 and AA shoot four.
Interestingly, and perhaps unsurprisingly, these figures were not accurate. In an effort to maintain the nation’s morale, the Daily Herald largely sided with British propaganda policy, with actual figures closer to 56 German aircraft shot down and 27 RAF ones.
Daily Mirror, Monday 21 July 1969
MAN ON THE MOON
And the message of the earth: we breathe again!
Man has landed on the Moon. A new era in its history began at 9:18 p.m. last night when the Lunar Module Eagle touched down gently on the dusty surface of the Sea of ​​Tranquility. Inside, astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin, now destined for a permanent place in history. They immediately began preparing for their moonwalk. There are still great dangers ahead. But these are really great achievements. America, the land of the frontiersmen, has opened a new frontier.
More than 40 years later, America’s space program is slowly coming to a halt. Yet for all its challenges, disasters, and achievements, there is no doubt that this moment irrevocably changed the world in which we live. And if nothing else, it gave conspiracy theorists something to sink their teeth into.
The Sun, Wednesday August 17, 1977
KING ELVIS DEAD
A massive heart attack in the mansion
Elvis Presley, the king of rock and roll who moved millions, died only yesterday, at the age of 42.
For arguably the greatest Rock n’ Roll star that ever lived, dying of a heart attack on the toilet was not the most dignified way to die. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a big surprise. In his later years, his weight had ballooned to just under 19 stone, while the last few things he ate pretty much summed it up: four scoops of ice cream and six chocolate chip cookies.
Daily Mail, Wednesday 12th September 2001
APOCALYPSE
NY. September 11, 2001
The sun, same day
DAY THE WORLD CHANGED
Suicide Hijackers Blitz America: Special Edition
I’m not sure we need to say anything more about these two, so we won’t.
Daily Mirror, Saturday 30 April 2011
‘Let’s give them another kiss… I love you’
Everyone joins… well, mostly!
Only the most cynical Republicans envied Wills on his big day. For the rest of us, whether we’re generally realistic or not, it was something to look forward to, especially for the extra day of work! And so it was, with everyone tuned in, that Catherine looked beautiful, while Wills looked bald…but handsome.