In 1485, Catherine of Aragon, the first wife of Henry VIII, was born.

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector of England.

In 1976, a goose called George, who had lived for 49 years and eight months, died.

25 Years Ago

From the Telegraph & Argus of December 16, 1981...Workers at an Ilkley construction firm have given their bosses an early Christmas present by agreeing to work three bank holidays to make up for time lost due to snow. The staff at Vincent Dobson Builders agreed to honour their employer's requests to come in during the Christmas holidays after many were snowed in during the recent winter weather.

50 Years Ago

From the Telegraph & Argus of December 16, 1956...Fuel rationing has driven motorists to the petrol pumps, forcing garages to close early. The rationing, which starts tomorrow, has caused panic among motorists. In one instance, mid-morning traffic backed up half-a-mile in both directions in a queue to buy fuel from Turf Motors of Frizinghall. A spokesman for the company said: "We are closing at lunch-time now as we cannot keep open any longer and still hold on to our coupons for the start of rationing."