A dead star is born

5

February

12
VD centre closesThe Venereal Diseases Research Centre at Harnham Down existed for almost a decade, without ever attracting the publicity enjoyed by its more famous neighbour, the Common Cold Unit.

15
Controversial mural unveiled at HighburyOn this day in 1992, the controversial ‘Highbury mural’ was unveiled for its first competitive game at the Arsenal Stadium.

27
Stuart becomes Britain’s first black newsreaderMoira Stuart became Britain’s first black newsreader on this day in 1981.

The ‘Pet Shop Sketch’, better known as the ‘Dead Parrot Sketch’, was first broadcast on this day in 1969, in the ‘Full Frontal Nudity’ episode of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Read on...

Pet shop boys: John Cleese and Michael Palin

Picture: BBC