Both Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel went blind after eye operations by charlatan surgeon John Taylor. Taylor was one of the most flamboyant quacks of his age, travelling from town to town in a coach decorated with pictures of eyeballs.
The stick that returns to the thrower was first described in detail and recorded as a "boumarang" in 1822. It'd now known as a boomerang
Stephen Hawking tried to lure time travelers to his house by throwing a party on June 28, 2009, then sending out invitations later. Nobody showed up.
Henry Tudor was born June 28, 1491 at Greenwich Palace, the second son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. A charming and loveable boy, Henry was bought up at his mother's home, Eltham Palace in South East London. By the age of 3, Henry was riding a horse from Greenwich to Westminster Palace. His older brother, Arthur was the heir to the throne, but died of tuberculosis aged 15. When his father died Henry succeeded him becoming at 18 Henry VIII of England.
John Wesley was born on June 28, 1703 in Epworth, 23 miles (37 km) NW of Lincoln. His father, Samuel was a staunch High Churchman whose lifework was to minister to the inhabitants of the North Lincolnshire marshlands. His Mother Susannah was also very devout and both his parents were influenced by the Pietist movement. John was brought up in poverty; his father served in one of England's lowest-paying parishes and was rarely out of debt even spending time in debtor's prison.
Jean Jacques Rousseau was born on June 28, 1712 at 40, Grand Rue, Geneva. He was bought up his watchmaker father and an aunt after his mother died nine days after his birth. Jean Jacques left Geneva aged 16 and traveled around France, where he met his benefactress, the Baronnesse de Warens. She furthered his education to such a degree that the boy who had arrived on her doorstep having never been to school developed into a philosopher, a man of letters, and a musician.
For more June 28 anniversaries, including the invention of the saxophone, the marriage of Harry S. Truman and Bess Wallace, and the signing of The Treaty Of Versailles, check out OnThatDay.
Today is the anniversary of the day it was proved that tomatoes are safe to eat.
The wild tomato originated in the Andes mountains of Peru, but the Aztecs subsequently started cultivating them. The Spanish explorers brought the tomato to Spain from Mexico, a Moor brought it to Tangiers. From there, an Italian brought it to Italy.
In the 1500s the wealthy had plates made of pewter. Food with high acid content caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning and death. This happened most often with tomatoes and led to Europeans fearing eating the fruit.
Tomatoes were put "on trial" on June 28, 1820 in Salem, New Jersey. In front of a courthouse, gentleman farmer Colonel Robert G Johnson ate a basket of tomatoes in order to demonstrate they weren't poisonous. The crowd waited for him to die. He didn't.
An expansive marketing campaign by a Pennsylvania tomato canning factory in 1848 included sending samples to the American President James K Polk and Queen Victoria. As a result of this campaign tomatoes began to gain acceptance in America and Britain.
Queen Victoria's coronation took place on June 28, 1838 at Westminster Abbey. Over 400,000 visitors came to London for the celebrations. As Queen Victoria was being crowned, the Archbishop of Canterbury forced the Coronation Ring on to the wrong finger. She didn't complain, but had to ice her bruised finger later. Victoria endeared herself to the public when she sprung from her throne to help an elderly noble man who had stumbled on approaching her to pay his respects.
Coronation portrait by George Hayter
WANT MORE THINGS THAT HAPPENED ON JUNE 28? CHECK OUT MY ONTHATDAY BLOG. HERE'S A LINK
