On this day June 24, 1949 Huddersfield

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 24, 2009

On this day June 24, 1949 Huddersfield was facing a drought after 17 consecutive days without rain during a month in which 176 hours of sunshine had already been recorded 1314: The Battle of Bannockburn took place near Stirling Castle. Robert the Bruce inflicted a crushing defeat on Edward II of England.

1717: The Grand Lodge of English Freemasons was formed in London.

1878: St John Ambulance was formed.

1947: The series of 'flying saucer' stories started when a pilot, Kenneth Arnold, reported seeing nine disc-shaped objects over Mount Rainier, Washington.

1981: The bridge over the Humber Estuary opened to traffic - its official opening by the Queen took place weeks later on July 17.

BIRTHDAYS: Bruce Johnston, singer, 67; Jeff Beck, rock guitarist, 65; Peter Weller, actor, 62; Sherry Stringfield, actress, 42; Mick Fleetwood (pictured), rock drummer (Fleetwood Mac), 62; Glenn Medeiros, pop singer/ songwriter, 39..