On this day - March 26th

FROM THE ARGUS ARCHIVE: On this day a year ago the Argus reported on how pop star Justin Bieber's shoe could help transform the future of a baby who needs life-changing surgery. 

South Wales Argus:

Five years ago today we reported how crowds said farewell to owner of Newport's legendary TJ's, John Sicolo.

South Wales Argus: SWA_CT_2941_01.jpg

The stories from history on this day - March 26th

1707: The Acts of Union became law, making England and Scotland one country.

1726: Sir John Vanbrugh, playwright and architect of Blenheim Palace, Castle Howard and many other castles and houses, died.

1780: The British Gazette And Sunday Monitor, the first Sunday newspaper in Britain, was published.

1827: Famously deaf composer Ludwig van Beethoven died in Vienna, aged 57. His last words were reputedly: "I shall hear in Heaven."

1885: The first cremation in Britain took place at Woking in Surrey.

1937: Popeye the sailor-man became the first cartoon character to have his statue erected - by spinach growers in Crystal City, Texas.

1945: David Lloyd George, who laid the foundations of the welfare state and led Britain through the First World War, died at the age of 82.

1971: East Pakistan, under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, declared independence to become the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

1973: The first woman stockbroker set foot on the floor of the London Stock Exchange.

1979: Israel and Egypt ended 30 years of war after a peace deal brokered by the United States.

1981: The so-called Gang of Four (Roy Jenkins, David Owen, William Rodgers and Shirley Williams) launched the Social Democratic Party.

1992: Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was jailed after being found guilty of one count of rape and two counts of criminal deviate conduct.

1997: The bodies of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult were found after a mass suicide - they believed they would join aliens following the Hale Bopp comet.

ON THIS DAY LAST YEAR: The sister of murdered British student Meredith Kercher spoke of the "long journey ahead" as Italy's highest criminal court overturned Amanda Knox's acquittal for her killing.